Wyoming Healthcare Costs Rise as UnitedHealthcare Exits State

Wyoming residents face steeper medical bills this winter as two major insurance shifts converge in the state.

The 2027 enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act marketplace opened on Nov. 1. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average lowest-cost Bronze plan in Wyoming now costs $875 per month, while the Silver tier averages $1,190. These figures place Wyoming among the highest-cost states in the nation. Jason Mincer, a Cheyenne resident, will pay nearly $1,500 monthly for his coverage starting in January. Mincer serves on the board of Healthy Wyoming, a nonprofit focused on healthcare access. He noted that rising costs may lead neighbors to drop coverage, potentially causing preventable health issues.

The cost surge follows the expiration of enhanced federal tax credits at the end of 2025. Those subsidies had kept premiums low for many low-income customers. Without them, prices jumped significantly. Stacey Mittelstadt, a retired teacher in Lander, saw her cheapest available plan rise to $3,100 a month last year. For the 2027 plan year, that same option now costs more than $3,300 monthly, she said. That total does not include a $23,000 deductible. Mittelstadt and her husband, a retired Casper firefighter, both 57 years old, have left the marketplace. They now use a Health Ministry, a faith-based group that pools resources to help members pay medical bills. "So basically we’ll just be uninsured," Mittelstadt said. "And then it’s a health share where you submit your bills and other people help you pay them."

Meanwhile, UnitedHealthcare is ending its supplemental Medicare Advantage program in Wyoming by the end of the year. The company is withdrawing the remainder of its plans from the state. Jessica Kostner, a UnitedHealthcare spokesperson, said the changes aim to ensure long-term sustainability for members. The company began phasing out plans in several counties last year. Approximately 7,000 residents will need to find new coverage. Mike Garduno, a 63-year-old Casper resident with multiple sclerosis, learned of the change in September. He said stress from the transition can worsen his condition. He wished the company had provided earlier notice.

Tisha Tuttle of the Wyoming State Health Insurance Information Program said affected customers have a guaranteed issue opportunity. They can switch to any available Medicare Advantage plan or return to original Medicare. BlueCross Blue Shield’s WyoBlue Advantage and Humana offer plans in some communities. Tuttle advised customers to select a new plan by Dec. 31 to ensure medication coverage in January. The final deadline to choose a plan is Feb. 28.

ACA enrollment in Wyoming dropped from 46,643 people in 2025 to 37,643 in 2026, a decrease of 9,000 enrollees, according to the Wyoming Department of Health. Connie Trowbridge, president of WyoBlue Advantage, attributed the rising premiums to increased medical costs and workforce challenges. She stated these factors impact the entire healthcare system, not just one type of coverage.