Indigent Care

Lea County Health Care Program

The Lea County Indigent Health Care Program is a medical assistance program funded by a 1/8th of one percent of County Gross Receipts Tax and administered by the Board of County Commissioners which sits as the Lea County Indigent Claims Board.

The Lea County Indigent Health Care Program’s mission is to financially assist the county’s uninsured residents with their medical needs.

Indigent Hospital Claims Program

The program provides financial assistance to medically uninsured residents of Lea County for medical costs as defined in Section 27-5-4 NMSA 1978 Comp. Claimants must submit an application and supporting documentation that will provide proof of being a county resident for the 90 days prior to the date of hospital admission, proof of income for the 12 months prior to the date of hospital admission, and other documentation necessary for the completion of the application packet. The application must be submitted by or before 60 days after the date of discharge. Applications can be obtained at both Nor-Lea and Lea Regional Medical Centers. They are also available at the Indigent Claims office in the Lea County Courthouse. Please note that an eligible claim must be for a hospital stay of 8 hours or more. The claim can be for a hospital in another New Mexico county, but cannot be an out-of-state hospital. A claim for medical services received in a hospital outside of Lea County may be eligible for payment but it must first be proven that the same medical services were not available in Lea County.

Lea County Diabetes Program

The Lea County Diabetes Program provides assistance to uninsured residents who suffer from diabetes. Eligibility is based on the applicant’s past year's income, household size, and residency in Lea County for the 90 days prior to the date of application. Once deemed eligible, the participant will be entitled to four physician visits per year (one per quarter), lab tests with A1C, glucometer test strips, insulin, one eye exam per year, and one-foot exam per year. There are also monthly diabetes education classes held in Lovington and in Hobbs. The schedule of classes is provided by Hope Foster, R.N. who is the Diabetes Educator. Participants must re-enroll each year by providing proof of their continued eligibility. Potential participants or those wanting to re-enroll must call to make an appointment for the application process. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Indigent Burial Claims

Lea County provides financial assistance for the decent cremation and/or interment of indigent county residents. Applications are available at each funeral home or at the Indigent Claims office in the Lea County Courthouse.