Medicare is a national health insurance program offered through the federal government. It’s available to people age 65 and over, as well as those with certain disabilities or health conditions.

Read on to learn about your Medicare options in Wyoming.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported the following information on Medicare trends in Wyoming for the 2022 plan year:

  • A total of 116,902 residents of Wyoming are enrolled in Medicare.
  • The average Medicare Advantage monthly premium decreased in Wyoming compared to last year — from $52.58 in 2021 to $47.58 in 2022.
  • There are 9 Medicare Advantage plans available in Wyoming for 2022, compared to 6 plans in 2021.
  • All Wyoming residents with Medicare have access to buy a Medicare Advantage plan, including plans with $0 premiums.
  • There are 12 different Medigap plans offered in Wyoming for 2022.

Medicare is made up of several different parts, and you have some different cover options to choose from.

Original Medicare

Parts A and B are the ones you can get directly from the federal government. These parts are what’s known as original Medicare.

You can think of Part A as hospital insurance. It helps cover costs for inpatient healthcare services you get when you’re in a hospital, a skilled nursing facility, or hospice. It also helps cover costs for limited home health services.

Part B helps pay for outpatient health care services and supplies you get when you go the doctor’s office, including preventive care. You do have to pay a premium for part B. The amount depends on factors including your income.

Medicare Advantage in Wyoming

Medicare Advantage plans, sometimes called Part C, offer an “all-in-one” alternative to getting original Medicare plus supplemental coverage. These plans are available from private insurance companies and include all the same benefits as original Medicare.

They typically also offer the same types of benefits you might get through supplemental coverage, including prescription drug plans. Since all of this is included in a single plan, you can get a more streamlined member experience.

The following companies offer Medicare Advantage plans in Wyoming:

  • Lasso
  • United Healthcare

Plan offerings vary by county and ZIP code. So, what’s available to you will depend on where in Wyoming you live.

Medicare supplement plans in Wyoming

Medicare supplement plans (sometimes called Medigap) help fill the gaps that original Medicare doesn’t cover. These plans may help lower copays and coinsurance. They could also offer coverage for dental, vision, or other types of care.

You can purchase Medicare supplement plans in addition to the original Medicare (parts A and B) you get from the government.

In Wyoming, many insurance companies offer Medigap plans. For 2022, some of the companies that offer Medigap plans in this state include:

You’re eligible to enroll in Medicare plans in Wyoming if you’re:

When can I enroll in Medicare Wyoming plans?

If your Medicare enrollment is based on your age, your initial enrollment period begins 3 months before the month of your 65th birthday and continues for 3 months after.

If you decide to continue with the employer-sponsored plan, you’ll qualify for a special enrollment period later on.

You can also sign up for Medicare or switch plans during an open enrollment period each year. For original Medicare, this period is from October 1 through December 7. For Medicare Advantage, the open enrollment period is from January 1 through March 31.

Tips for enrolling in Medicare in Wyoming

When selecting a Medicare plan, it’s important to weigh your options. While original Medicare offers the same coverage for everyone, Medicare Advantage plans can be structured in different ways. The plan that’s best for you depends largely on your individual situation and preferences.

You’ll want to take into consideration:

  • Cost. How much are the plan premiums? How much can you expect to pay when you see a doctor? How much will your share of the cost be when you fill a prescription?
  • Provider network. Does the plan include doctors and hospitals that are convenient to you? What if you need to see a doctor while you’re traveling? Are your doctors included?
  • Plan design. Will the plan require you to choose a primary care provider? Will you need referrals to see specialists?
  • Reviews. What are other people saying about the plan? If it’s a Part C or Part D plan, what star rating did it receive?

If you’d like to learn more about enrolling in Medicare plans in Wyoming, the following organizations can be useful resources:

  • Several private insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans in Wyoming.
  • Overall, monthly premium costs have decreased for 2022 Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in Wyoming.
  • There are also several Medigap plan options if you live in Wyoming and are looking for additional coverage.