SB 278 New Mexico Senate · 2025 Regular Session

CORONARY ARTERY CALCIUM SCREENING INSURANCE

SB 278 requires most health insurance plans in New Mexico to cover coronary artery calcium screening scans without deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for eligible individuals. It directly affects adults aged 45-65 with intermediate heart disease risk, as determined by their healthcare provider using standard risk assessment tools. Key provisions mandate coverage every four years if a prior scan showed zero calcium, no repeat coverage if a scan shows calcium buildup, and exclude short-term or limited health policies. The bill applies to group health insurance, public assistance programs, and health plans under New Mexico’s insurance laws.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 4, 2025 Last action Jun 3, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version → CT substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends New Mexico insurance laws to require coverage for coronary artery calcium (CAC) scans for eligible individuals aged 45-65 with intermediate cardiovascular risk, while prohibiting cost-sharing for those over 49. The changes broaden eligibility criteria, standardize screening frequency, and clarify exclusions for certain insurance plans.

Scope change

The bill expands coverage requirements to multiple insurance categories including group health plans, public assistance, health maintenance organizations, and health care plans, while maintaining specific exclusions for short-term travel, accident-only, catastrophic, and high-deductible plans.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility criteria requiring individuals to be between ages 45-65 with intermediate risk of developing coronary heart disease based on evidence-based algorithms.

REQUIREMENT

Modified screening frequency requirements to be provided every five years if previous score was zero, and not required if score exceeds zero.

Added prohibition on cost-sharing (deductibles, copayments, coinsurance) for eligible insureds over age 49.

TIMELINE

Added effective date of January 1, 2026 for applicability to policies delivered, issued, or renewed in New Mexico.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'eligible insured/enrollee/subscriber' and 'coronary artery calcium screening' to standardize terminology across insurance categories.

EXEMPTIONS

Added explicit exclusions for short-term travel, accident-only, limited disease policies, catastrophic plans, and high-deductible health plans until deductibles are met.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 17, 2025

How they voted

23–15

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 40

Mar 17, 2025

D Democratic24

23 Yea 1

95% Yea

R Republican16

15 Nay 1

93% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Introduced

Sent to House Health & Human Services Committee

lower

Mar 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

passed Senate

upper

Mar 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO NOT PASS, replaced with committee substitute

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

DO PASS committee report adopted

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Introduced

Sent to Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee & Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors