New Mexico Turquoise Care - Frequently Asked Questions

Your member ID card holds a lot of important information. It gives you access to your covered benefits. 

Take your member ID card to your appointments:

• Show it when you fill a prescription
• Have it ready when you call Member Services; this helps us serve you better
• Do not let someone else use your card(s). It is against the law.

You should have received your member ID card in the mail within 20 days of joining UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Turquoise Care gives you health care that is medically necessary. The amount, duration, and scope of benefits you can get are based on your needs and approved services, as determined by the State of New Mexico. Some benefits and services require preauthorization. Preauthorization determines whether the services or benefits are necessary.

If you have a chronic health condition, like asthma or diabetes, you may benefit from our Care Coordinator program. We can help with a number of things, like scheduling doctor appointments and keeping your providers informed about the care you get. To learn more, call 1-877-236-0826, TTY 711.

You’ll get a Health Assessment over the phone. If we see that you could use extra assistance, you will be assigned a Care Coordinator. They will contact you by phone. If they are unable to reach you, you will receive a letter from your care coordinator. 

Contact your Care Coordinator at 1-877-236-0826. Once you are assigned a Care Coordinator, you can contact him or her directly as often as you need to.

If you need a ride, your benefits include transportation. We cover trips to:

• Medical appointments
• Food bank
• Pharmacy
• WIC appointments
• Medicaid eligibility appointments
• Places of worship
• Birthing classes
• Grocery stores
• Job-related activites
• Support group meetings

Following these simple rules will help you get a ride: 

• Call 3+ business days ahead of time 
• Call 1-877-236-0826, TTY 711 to set up your ride 
• If you cancel your visit, call 1-877-236-0826 to cancel your ride 
• Have your Medicaid ID card available 
• Rides are only for approved reasons 
• Know the address of your health care provider and the date and time of your appointment 
• Be specific about where you need a ride to 
• After your visit, call for a ride home 
• If your doctor gives you a prescription you can stop at the pharmacy to get it 
• Let us know if you have special needs like a wheelchair 
• Members under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian with them 
• Transportation may be limited to a provider near you

You may also qualify for a bus pass or friends and family mileage reimbursement. Give Member Services a call to schedule a ride or ask questions about getting transportation services.

This service is for rides planned in advance. If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911. An ambulance will be provided if you need to be sent to the hospital.

You must call at least 3 business days before your appointment. Three business days does not include weekends, holidays, or the day of the call. You can call for a ride up to two weeks before your appointment. You must have your medical or behavioral health appointment date, time and address available. 

• Open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time 
• Closed Saturdays and Sundays
• Closed on national holidays 
• Calls for trips for urgent/same-day appointments/facility discharges and Ride Assist are handled 24/7, 365 days at 1-877-236-0826 Reservation: 1-877-236-0826 
• Ride Assist (Where’s My Ride?): 1-877-236-0826 
• Hearing impaired (TTY): 1-877-236-0826 

Yes, but you must speak with a representative from UnitedHealthcare Community Plan before your appointment. They will send you a voucher form with instructions. To obtain reimbursement: 

• The provider you are seeing must fill out the form or attach a doctor note 
• You are responsible for sending the paperwork back to UnitedHealthcare Community Plan for payment 
• If you have receipts for reimbursement, make copies and include them with your paperwork back to UnitedHealthcare Community Plan 

You may need to see a provider in another city or state because there is not one in your city or town. Work with your Care Coordinator to arrange the transportation and/or lodging through UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. The services must be medically necessary and prior approval must be obtained before seeing a provider out of the UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Turquoise Care network.

The appointment must be at least 4 hours away from your primary residence and it must be medically necessary. Please work with your Care Coordinator to arrange lodging and make sure UnitedHealthcare Community Plan is given advance notice. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan will send you a voucher form with instructions for reimbursement of meal expenses.

Not all appointments qualify for this service 

You can reach our Member Services at 1-877-236-0826, TTY 711, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. MT., Monday–Friday.

If you speak a language other than English, we can provide translated printed materials. Or we can provide an interpreter who can help you understand these materials. You’ll find more information about Interpretive Services and Language Assistance in the section called Other Plan Details. Or call Member Services at 1-877-236-0826, TTY 711.

Your Ombudsman: 

• Is a neutral party and a member advocate. The ombudsman will work directly with the member in order to research and address member concerns. 
• Is a resource for finding a solution 
• Will work with members to help them understand their rights and their responsibilities 
• Contact information for members: 
• The telephone number to reach the Ombudsman’s office is 1-877-236-0826, TTY 711.

If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, you have more than one insurance coverage:

• Medicare is considered your primary insurance
• Turquoise Care (Medicaid) is your secondary insurance

Your Turquoise Care benefits will not change your primary insurance benefits. Your Care Coordinator will assist you in working with your primary insurance to help set up your health care.

If you have both Medicare and Turquoise Care, Medicare Part D will cover your medication (you will still have to pay Medicare Part D copays), unless you live in a nursing facility. If you have Medicare, you can use your current doctor. You can get Medicare specialty services without approval from Turquoise Care.

We will work with your doctor for the services you get through Turquoise Care. We can help you pick a doctor if you do not have one. This doctor can set up your Turquoise Care and Medicare services. If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, your primary care provider (PCP) is your Medicare Advantage doctor.

You do not have to pick another primary care provider for Turquoise Care. Medicare or your Medicare Advantage Plan will pay for your services before Turquoise Care. Turquoise Care may cover some services that are not covered by Medicare.

If you have questions, call Member Services at 1-877-236-0826. For hearing impaired, dial 711 for TTY service.

Your plan covers a long list of medicines, or prescription drugs. Medicines that are covered are on the plan’s Preferred Drug List. Your doctor uses this list to make sure the medicines you need are covered by your plan. 

New Mexico Preferred Drug List

If your medicines are included on the Preferred Drug List, you’re all set. Be sure to show your pharmacist your new member ID card every time you get your prescriptions filled.

If your prescriptions are not on the Preferred Drug List, schedule an appointment with your doctor within the next 30 days. They may be able to help you switch to a drug that is on the Preferred Drug List. Your doctor can also ask for an exception if they think you need a medicine that is not on the list.

Yes, you have thirty (30) days from the date of the letter that you received to change your pharmacy. In special cases, you may be able to request a pharmacy change after thirty (30) days. You will still only be able to use one pharmacy. To change your pharmacy, call Member Services at the number below.

Search online at myuhc.com/communityplan/nm. 

Look through the Provider Directory. 

Call Member Services at 1-877-236-0826 and talk to a Member Advocate or your Care Coordinator. 

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Mexico Turquoise Care Medicaid Dental manages your dental benefits. You may call Member Services at 1-877-236-0826 to find a dentist in the UnitedHealthcare Community Plan New Mexico network.

March Vision manages your vision benefit. You may call Member Services at 1-877-236-0826 or visit their website at www.marchvisioncare.com to find a vision provider.

The Community Benefit (CB) is Turquoise Care’s name for the home and community-based services (HCBS) benefit package. 

The Personal Care Services benefit is also part of CB. 

Community Benefits are services that allow eligible members to receive care in their home or community as an alternative to being placed in a long-term care facility. 

Community Benefits are intended to supplement natural supports and support community living.

Call your primary care provider. The name and phone number is on your ID card. If you need help, call Member Services.

Most services are covered by Turquoise Care. Copays apply in some instances. The only time you pay is when a service is not covered by Turquoise Care or when you get non-emergency service without meeting rules on prior authorization. In these cases, the provider must talk to you first about payment. Even if you fail to pay, you can keep your Medicaid eligibility. 

If a member has been incorrectly overcharged copayments, the member has a right to be repaid by the provider. The HSD Income Support Division (ISD) determines eligibility for most categories of Medicaid. If the member household disagrees with the household income calculation, then the household may request a HSD fair hearing. 

Members have a right to request from UnitedHealthcare Community Plan at any time, an accounting of his or her household’s accrued copayment total(s). If the member disagrees with the MCO’s accounting of accrued copayments, the member may file an appeal directly with UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Member Services. 

If you get a bill from a provider: 

• Ask why they are billing you 
• Give them your Turquoise Care information 
• You do not have to pay bills that UnitedHealthcare Community Plan should pay.

If you get a bill: 

• Call Member Services at 1-877-236-0826. 
• Be sure you have your bill when you call. 

You must report other health insurance to your local Income Support Division office. If your private insurance is canceled, you have new coverage, or have questions, call Member Services or your Care Coordinator. Having other insurance does not affect whether you qualify for Turquoise Care.

If you suspect fraud or abuse by a caregiver, medical provider, behavioral health provider, another member or anyone else, you can report it safely without providing your name or identity to the State or to UnitedHealthcare. There are email addresses and websites provided below that you can use to report suspected fraud or abuse 24 hours a day 7 days a week. 

You can report to UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. You can do this by calling your Care Coordinator, by telephone or through our website at: UnitedHealthcare Fraud Hotline: 1-844-359-7736. 

Website: uhc.com/fraud

You can first talk to your doctor or provider if you have questions or concerns about your care. They can work with you on fixing the problem. If the problem isn’t fixed, you can call us. 

You may file a grievance over the phone with Member Services at 1-877-236-0826, TTY 711. 

You may file grievances online at member.uhc.com/CommunityPlan. 

You can send your written grievance to: 

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Turquoise Care Appeals and Grievances P.O. Box 31364 Salt Lake City, UT 84131-0364 

Fax: 1-801-994-1082

All members can file an appeal through these processes. You may file an appeal over the phone with Member Services at 1-877-236-0826, TTY 711. 

You may file appeals online at member.uhc.com/CommunityPlan. 

You may also file a written appeal by sending it to: 

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan Turquoise Care Appeals and Grievances P.O. Box 31364 Salt Lake City, UT 84131-0364 

Fax: 1-801-994-1082

Long-term services and supports (LTSS) refers to a broad range of medical, functional and social services that are needed by individuals who have complex health needs due to aging, chronic illness or disability. These services can be provided in a range of settings, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, convalescent homes, and home and community-based settings.