Wyoming health insurance costs spike again as Medicare options shrink
ACA premiums jump for a second year while UnitedHealthcare exits the state's Medicare Advantage market, forcing thousands of residents to find new coverage by February.
By Alyssa Parker ·
Wyoming residents faced double-digit premium increases for 2027 health insurance plans when the enrollment period opened Nov. 1. The cost surge follows a similar jump that occurred at the end of 2025 when federal tax credits expired.
Stacey Mittelstadt, a retired teacher from Lander, said the cheapest Affordable Care Act plan for she and her husband now costs $3,300 per month. That figure excludes a $23,000 deductible. Mittelstadt calculated that the monthly payments alone amount to nearly $40,000 annually if the insurance goes unused.
"It's just crazy," Mittelstadt said. The couple, both 57, previously paid $3,100 monthly for their cheapest option in 2026. They now pay out of pocket through a health share ministry while waiting to qualify for Medicare.
Average premiums in Wyoming rank among the highest in the nation according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The average lowest-cost Bronze plan is $875 per month. The average lowest-cost Silver plan is $1,190, and the average lowest-cost Gold plan is $1,076.
Jason Mincer, a Cheyenne resident and board member for the nonprofit Healthy Wyoming, will pay nearly $1,500 monthly starting in January. Mincer expressed concern that working residents will drop coverage due to affordability issues.
Wyoming ACA enrollment dropped from 46,643 in 2025 to 37,643 in 2026, a decline of 9,000 people, according to the Wyoming Department of Health. The state legislature created a task force this year to address insurance affordability.
The Medicare market is also contracting. UnitedHealthcare is ending its supplemental Medicare Advantage program in Wyoming at the end of 2026. The company began phasing out plans in several counties last year and will close the remainder by Dec. 31.
Mike Garduno, a 63-year-old Casper resident with multiple sclerosis, learned of the change in September. He said customer service initially indicated the plan would only remain available to him if he moved to Colorado. Garduno noted that stress from the situation can exacerbate his condition.
Jessica Kostner, a UnitedHealthcare spokesperson, wrote in an email that the company is making targeted changes to ensure long-term sustainability. She said impacted individuals received notices from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in early October with guidance on next steps.
Tisha Tuttle of the Wyoming State Health Insurance Information Program estimates more than 7,000 residents will lose their UnitedHealthcare plans. She said these individuals have guaranteed issue status, allowing them to choose any Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare without medical underwriting.
Tuttle advised customers to select a new plan by Dec. 31 if they take medications to ensure coverage starts in January. The final deadline to choose a plan is Feb. 28. Alternatives in Wyoming include plans from WyoBlue Advantage and Humana in some communities.
