States New Mexico

Conditions Screened

New Mexico currently screens for 50 conditions

The New Mexico Program

Each state runs its program differently, for more detailed information please visit their website here.

Download Brochure

The state of New Mexico does not have a brochure available. You can find more state specific information at their website.

What Conditions are Screened For in New Mexico?

Hemoglobin Disorders

Contacts

New Mexico Department of Health

1190 St. Francis Drive, Suite 150
PO Box 26110
Santa Fe, NM 87505

New Mexico Newborn Screening Program

2040 S. Pacheco
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: 505-476-8868
http://nmhealth.org/about/phd/fhb/cms/nbgs/

Brenda Romero, RN, BSN
State Genetic Coordinator
Phone: 505-476-8857
[email protected]

NBS Laboratory

Christianne Biggs, MS
Northwest Regional Newborn Screening Program
Oregon State Public Health Laboratory
3150 NW 229th Ave., Suite 100
Hillsboro, OR 98124-6536
Phone: 503-693-4172
Fax: 503-693-5601
[email protected]

Follow-Up Program

Carla Ortiz RN, BSN
Nurse Consultant
New Mexico Newborn Screening Program
Children’s Medical Service
2040 S. Pacheco
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: 505-476-8858
[email protected]

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Robert Morrison
New Mexico EHDI Coordinator/Newborn Hearing Screening Coordinator
Children's Medical Services
New Mexico Department of Health
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: 505-476-8852
Fax: 505-827-8896

Search Educational Resources

Looking for resources? Check out our Newborn Screening Education and Training Resource Center.

VIEW RESOURCES

About Newborn Screening in New Mexico

Program Overview:

The New Mexico Newborn Screening Program (NMNBSP) requires that all babies born in New Mexico receive screening for certain genetic, metabolic, hemoglobin and endocrine conditions. The New Mexico Newborn Screening Program offers screening for up to 49 conditions. The NMNBSP provides services to over 23,000 babies and their families annually. Currently the State of New Mexico mandates two newborn screens be collected on every newborn born in New Mexico. New Mexico Newborn Screening Program continues to partner with Mountain States Genetic Network and has also contracted with Oregon State Public Health Laboratory for expanded screening.

Babies with these conditions appear normal at birth. It is only with time that the conditions affect the baby’s brain or physical development or cause other medical problems. By then the damage may be permanent. Early diagnosis and treatment can result in normal growth and development and can reduce morbidity and mortality. Since treating your newborn soon after birth is so vital to their health, it is important that your doctor have a current phone number or address so they can reach you if your child needs follow-up care. If they do contact you, make sure to follow their instructions promptly in order to increase your child’s chances at living a long, healthy life.

How is Newborn Screening Paid for in New Mexico?

The NBS cost for a mandated double kit is $138.00 per child. The single cost is $27.00 per child. If your newborn is covered by any form of insurance coverage, that insurance will cover the cost of newborn screening in the newborn care bundle. No New Mexico infant will be denied testing if a parent cannot afford testing. The providers can contact the Newborn Screening program and each case will be reviewed individually.

Policies and Resources

Opt-Out:

The Department’s Newborn Screening Program will provide the hospital birthing centers and midwives with forms for waiver. No waiver for Newborn Screening shall be signed before the parents have been provided with both written and oral explanations by the infant’s primary care provider, midwife or nurse so that they may make an informed decision. The decision to waive screening will be acknowledged by signature of the parents or guardian on the form provided by the Department. The document of waiver shall be placed in the child’s hospital medical record and a copy sent to the Children’s Medical Services Newborn Screening Program and a copy to the parents.

Support for families:

One of the concerns many families have when they first learn their child has a condition detected during the newborn screening process is the possibility of increased health care costs. Fortunately, New Mexico has various policies and programs in place that assist families with obtaining the best care for their child.

For those with private assistance, individual and group health insurance policies, health care plans, certificate of health insurance, and managed care plans are required to cover treatment of genetic inborn errors of metabolism, including clinical services, medical prescription drugs, nutritional management and medical foods. Durational limits, caps, deductibles, coinsurance and copayments may apply as long as the terms of coverage are the same as other illnesses covered under the plan.

Also, New Mexico children can benefit from long-term follow-up through Children’s Medical Services (CMS). CMS has social workers housed in public health offices throughout the state. Medical Social Workers provide service coordination for children and youth with special health care needs to help their families navigate the available services. CMS has 2 Registered Nurses in the Newborn Screening Program and has an established relationship with the UNM Department of Pediatrics at the UNM Health Science Center/Children’s Hospital. For adults with metabolic conditions detected during newborn screening, CMS has an Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program and provides some adult metabolic disease services. For more information, contact NBS Genetic nurse consultant at 505-476-8858 or the CMS Program Manager at 505-476-8857.

Storage and Use of Dried Blood Spots:

The Newborn Screening Program of the Department of Health or contracted laboratory may store the blood samples of newborns collected for the screening of genetic disorders for up to one year. After that time they will be destroyed.

The Newborn Screening Program may change the length and /or conditions of storage at any time, if the program determines that such a change is necessary.

The Newborn Screening Program of the Department of Health does not release newborn screening bloodspots to researchers, but parent or OMI may submit a request to the Newborn Genetic Screening Program.

To see a copy of the blood spot card used in New Mexico click here.

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