Health Insurance in Wyoming

Medicaid in Wyoming

Wyoming has not expanded Medicaid. Eligibility is limited to traditional categories: children, pregnant women (up to 154% FPL), parents with very low incomes (about 55% FPL, roughly $8,550 for a family of three), people with disabilities, and elderly individuals. Childless adults do not qualify for Medicaid at any income level.

The result is a coverage gap. An estimated 12,000 Wyomingites earn too much for Medicaid but too little to qualify for marketplace subsidies (which start at 100% FPL in non-expansion states, about $15,060 for a single person). The Wyoming legislature has considered Medicaid expansion bills multiple times but has not passed one.

Wyoming's uninsured rate is approximately 10.5%, one of the higher rates in the country. About 61,000 residents lack coverage. The combination of no Medicaid expansion, a large self-employed population (ranching, energy, tourism), and high insurance costs creates a difficult environment for the uninsured.

What plans cost in 2026

Wyoming has some of the highest marketplace premiums in the country. A benchmark Silver plan for a 40-year-old can run $700 to $900 per month before subsidies, depending on the county. The small population, vast geography, and limited provider competition all drive costs up. Wyoming consistently ranks in the top five states for average marketplace premiums.

Wyoming had roughly 25,000 marketplace enrollees in 2025. With enhanced subsidies expiring after 2025, the subsidy cliff returns at 400% FPL (about $62,160 for a family of two). The silver lining of high benchmark premiums: subsidies are calculated against them, so those who qualify often pay much less than the sticker price. But those above 400% FPL face the full cost, and in Wyoming that can be crushing.

For those in the coverage gap (below 100% FPL who don't qualify for Medicaid), there is no financial help available for marketplace plans.

Carriers in Wyoming (2026)

Two insurers offer individual marketplace plans in Wyoming for 2026:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming is the dominant carrier, offering plans statewide. BCBSWY has the broadest provider network in the state, including all major hospitals and most physicians. In many Wyoming counties, BCBS is the only marketplace option. The company has deep roots in the state and has been the primary individual market carrier for decades.
• Mountain Health CO-OP is a Montana-based nonprofit cooperative that offers plans in select Wyoming counties. Mountain Health CO-OP provides an alternative to BCBS where available, often with competitive pricing. Their network is more limited than BCBS, so verify that your providers are included.

Carrier competition is very limited. Many rural counties have only BCBS. The counties where Mountain Health CO-OP operates benefit from having at least two options.

Key regions

Cheyenne (Laramie County)

Cheyenne is the state capital and largest city (about 65,000 people). Cheyenne Regional Medical Center is the major hospital. Both marketplace carriers typically serve Laramie County. Proximity to Colorado means some residents seek specialty care in Fort Collins or Denver, but out-of-state providers may not be in your plan's network.

Casper (Natrona County)

Casper is the second largest city and a hub for the energy industry. Wyoming Medical Center and Banner Health facilities serve the area. Both carriers may be available here. Casper serves as a regional referral center for central Wyoming.

Jackson Hole (Teton County)

Teton County is one of the wealthiest counties in the country by median income, but healthcare costs are extremely high. St. John's Health is the local hospital. The tourism and service economy means many workers earn too much for Medicaid but not enough to comfortably afford Wyoming's high marketplace premiums. This area particularly illustrates the affordability challenge in Wyoming.

Rural Wyoming

Most of Wyoming is sparsely populated, with many counties having fewer than 10,000 residents. Critical access hospitals and small clinics are the only local healthcare facilities in much of the state. BCBS is typically the only marketplace carrier. Residents often travel one to three hours for hospital care and may go out of state (to Billings, Denver, or Salt Lake City) for specialty services.

Estimate your subsidy

Wyoming-specific things to know

The coverage gap is real. If you earn less than roughly $15,060 per year (100% FPL for a single person) and do not qualify for Medicaid through another category, you cannot get marketplace subsidies in Wyoming. Community health centers in Cheyenne, Casper, and other towns offer sliding-scale care, but this is not a substitute for comprehensive insurance coverage.

High premiums can mean large subsidies. Wyoming's sky-high benchmark premiums actually work in favor of subsidy-eligible consumers. The ACA subsidy formula caps your premium contribution as a percentage of income, and the subsidy covers the rest of the benchmark. When the benchmark is $800/month, the subsidy amount is large. A 40-year-old earning $30,000 might pay under $200/month for the benchmark Silver plan after subsidies, even though the sticker price is much higher.

Out-of-state care is common. Wyoming residents frequently cross state lines for healthcare, especially for specialty and tertiary care. If you regularly see doctors in Colorado, Montana, Utah, or Nebraska, check whether those providers are in-network on your Wyoming marketplace plan. Out-of-network care can result in much higher costs.

Resources

• HealthCare.gov for marketplace enrollment (Wyoming uses the federal marketplace)
• Wyoming Medicaid (EqualityCare) for Medicaid eligibility and enrollment
• Wyoming Primary Care Association for community health center locations and sliding-scale care