SB 21 New Mexico Senate · 2026 Regular Session

MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT OPEN ENROLLMENT

SB 21 requires New Mexico Medicare supplement insurers to offer annual open enrollment periods for seniors. It directly affects residents aged 65+ with Medicare supplement policies (Medigap) in New Mexico. The bill mandates that each eligible policyholder receives a 60-day enrollment window starting the first day of their birthday month, during which they can switch to policies of equal or lesser value without health-based denial, discrimination, or preexisting condition exclusions. Insurers must also notify policyholders 30-60 days before the window opens about their rights and policy changes.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 26, 2026 Signed Mar 4, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

introduced version Final Version · 7 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends New Mexico's Medicare Supplement Act to establish an annual open enrollment period for Medicare supplement policyholders, ensuring they can purchase or switch policies without discrimination based on health status. The changes add new definitions, create a 60-day open enrollment window starting on the policyholder's birthday month, and require insurers to guarantee issuance of policies without preexisting condition exclusions.
Scope change
The bill expands protections to all Medicare supplement policyholders in New Mexico by creating a standardized annual open enrollment period that did not previously exist in the state law.
REQUIREMENT

Added a new annual open enrollment period of at least 60 days starting on the policyholder's birthday month, during which insurers must offer all available policies.

Requires insurers to guarantee issuance of any Medicare supplement policy without denying coverage based on health status, claims history, or medical conditions.

Prohibits coverage exclusions for preexisting conditions during open enrollment that would have been covered under the policyholder's previous policy.

Mandates that insurers notify policyholders at least 30 days before open enrollment begins with details about the period, rights, and any policy modifications.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'eligible policyholder' to include the requirement that the person be insured under a Medicare supplement policy.

Added new definition for 'superintendent' to include the superintendent of insurance as an oversight authority.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the new provisions to January 1, 2027.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 12, 2026 · House Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

320
Passed · 6 other
Total votes 38
Feb 12, 2026
D Democratic22
16 Yea 6
72% Yea
R Republican16
16 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
6
Committee
3
Mar 4, 2026
Signed into law
Signed
executive
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
passed House
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
DO PASS committee report adopted
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Introduced
Sent to House Health & Human Services Committee
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
passed Senate
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
DO PASS, as amended, committee report adopted
upper
Jan 26, 2026
Introduced
Sent to Senate Committees' Committee & Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee & Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee
upper
4 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors