If you live in Wyoming, the following health insurance contact information may be helpful to you:
Wyoming Insurance Department
The Wyoming Insurance Department is responsible for regulating all types of insurance sold in the state of Wyoming -- including health insurance policies.
If you are looking for health insurance coverage, the Insurance Department keeps a list of insurance companies licensed to sell policies in Wyoming. You can search this list for insurance companies or agents.
If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint with the Insurance Department. Find an online complaint form, or download and print a form to submit to the Insurance Department.
Wyoming Insurance Department
106 East 6th Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: 307-777-7401 or 800-438-5768 (Wyoming only)
Fax: 307-777-2446 Email: wyinsdep@state.wy.us
COBRA Continuation Coverage - U.S. Department of Labor
If you get your insurance through your job, your plan is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). They make and enforce the rules that your employer must follow when offering health insurance coverage to employees -- for example, your employer cannot single out an individual employee to exclude her from the plan because she (or one of her dependents) has a costly illness.
Also, if 20 or more employees are at your job, you should be offered COBRA continuation coverage when you leave your job. If you elect COBRA, you will continue with your current coverage, but can be charged up to 102% of the total cost of the plan premium. This is likely to be significantly higher than the amount you paid while in the plan because employers often subsidize the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their dependents. Your COBRA continuation coverage will last from 18 to 36 months depending on why you lost your coverage. For more information about COBRA coverage, contact the EBSA.
The EBSA works to make sure that your rights are protected. If you have concerns about your employer's practices in administering your job-based health coverage -- for example, if you think you should have been offered COBRA continuation coverage, but were not, or if you feel that you were wrongly terminated from your health plan -- contact your regional EBSA office.
U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
Kansas City Regional Office
2300 Main Street, Suite 1100
Kansas City, MO 64108
Steve Eischen - Director
Phone: 816-285-1800
Fax: 816-285-1888
Buying Individual Policies in Wyoming
As a general rule, insurers in Wyoming are allowed to reject your application for coverage based on your health status. However, you may qualify for coverage as a "HIPAA-eligible" individual if you:
- had at least 18 months of continuous creditable coverage, the last day of which was under a group plan AND
- you have exhausted all COBRA continuation coverage which was available to you.
People who are HIPAA-eligible are guaranteed the right to buy an individual policy from a private insurer. You can also buy insurance through Wyoming Health Insurance Pool(described below). If you are not sure whether you are a HIPAA-eligible individual, your insurance agent or the Wyoming Insurance Department can help you find out.
Wyoming Health Insurance Pool (WHIP)
WHIP offers coverage to individuals who are unable to purchase an individual health insurance policy because they have pre-existing health conditions. It also covers "HIPAA-eligible" individuals, as described above. Please visit the WHIP website for a brochure with detailed information about the plan, as well as an application.
WHIP
Blue Cross Blue Shield (administrator)
Phone: 800-442-2376 (Wyoming only) or 307-634-1393
KidCare CHIP - the State Children's Health Insurance Program
KidCare CHIP provides health insurance coverage for children whose family income meets certain guidelines.
KidCare CHIP
Phone: 1-877-KIDS-NOW
Email: kidcarechip@health.wyo.gov
Wyoming State Health Insurance Information Program (WSHIIP)
WSHIIP provides free one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries with questions about any aspect of Medicare, including the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, or Medigap coverage.
WSHIIP
Phone: 800-856-4398
EqualityCare - Wyoming Medicaid
Medicaid is a government program designed to help the poor and indigent obtain health care services. Pregnant women and children under age 19 who meet certain income requirements may be eligible for Medicaid coverage, along with aged, blind, and disabled individuals.
Wyoming Medicaid
Phone: 877-543-7669
