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, 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 $15,960 for a single person for 2027 coverage). 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 2027
Wyoming has some of the highest marketplace premiums in the country. KFF puts the state's average benchmark Silver premium for a 40-year-old at $1,190 a month for 2027, up from $1,090 in 2026 (about 9% higher). The small population, vast geography, and limited provider competition all drive costs up.
Wyoming had roughly 25,000 marketplace enrollees in 2025. The enhanced subsidies expired after 2025 and were not extended, so for 2027 there is no premium tax credit above 400% FPL (about $86,560 for a household 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.
Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027, on HealthCare.gov. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
Carriers in Wyoming (2027)
Two insurers offer individual marketplace plans in Wyoming for 2027:
- 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. The company has deep roots in the state and has been the primary individual market carrier for decades.
- UnitedHealthcareoffers plans in 20 of Wyoming's 23 counties, including Laramie (Cheyenne), Natrona (Casper), and Sweetwater, but not Teton County. Its network may be narrower than BCBS, so verify that your providers are included.
Carrier competition is very limited. Most counties have two options, and a few, including Teton, have only BCBS. Mountain Health CO-OP is not on the 2027 list.
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 BCBS and UnitedHealthcare sell 2027 plans in 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 BCBS and UnitedHealthcare sell 2027 plans 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, and BCBS is the only marketplace insurer in Teton County for 2027. 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. Most rural counties have BCBS and UnitedHealthcare. 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
Subsidy Estimator
Enter your info below to get a rough estimate of your monthly premium tax credit for a 2027 marketplace plan.
Wyoming-specific things to know
The coverage gap is real. If you earn less than roughly $15,960 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. With an average benchmark around $1,190 a month for 2027, the subsidy amount is large. A 40-year-old earning $30,000 would be expected to pay roughly $155 a month for the benchmark Silver plan after the tax credit, even though the sticker price is far 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