When Stacey Mittelstadt retired from teaching in Lander, she and her retired Casper firefighter husband turned to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace for health insurance, hoping it would bridge the gap until they qualified for Medicare. Their plan was affordable until the enhanced tax credits expired at the end of 2025, after which their monthly premium jumped to $3,100.
Faced with that cost, the Mittelstadts left the marketplace, only to discover that the cheapest ACA plan available for 2027 enrollment now exceeds $3,300 per month, not including a $23,000 deductible. “If I’m paying $3,300 a month and I don’t use the insurance, I’ve spent nearly $40,000 a year,” Mittelstadt said.
Statewide premium spikes and limited options
Wyoming’s ACA premiums are among the highest in the nation. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average lowest‑cost Bronze plan costs $875, the lowest‑cost Silver $1,190, and the lowest‑cost Gold $1,076. Cheyenne resident Jason Mincer, a board member of the nonprofit Healthy Wyoming, warned that many hardworking Wyomingites may drop coverage because they cannot afford it, leading to preventable illness and premature death.
Enrollment in the ACA marketplace fell from 46,643 in 2025 to 37,643 in 2026, a drop of roughly 9,000 participants, according to the Wyoming Department of Health.
UnitedHealthcare exits Medicare Advantage in Wyoming
UnitedHealthcare announced it will end its supplemental Medicare Advantage program in Wyoming at the end of the year, forcing more than 7,000 residents to find new coverage. The company has been withdrawing plans it deems unprofitable, beginning with several counties last year and completing the phase‑out by year‑end.
Mike Garduno, a 63‑year‑old Casper resident living with multiple sclerosis, learned that his UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan would no longer be available unless he moved to Colorado. “It felt like the rug was pulled from under me,” Garduno said, adding that the stress worsened his condition.
UnitedHealthcare spokesperson Jessica Kostner said the changes are intended to ensure long‑term sustainability for members, noting that affected individuals received a CMS‑required notice in early October with guidance on next steps.
State resources and alternatives
Tisha Tuttle of the Wyoming State Health Insurance Information Program explained that seniors losing their plans have a guaranteed‑issue right to enroll in any plan of their choice, whether another Medicare Advantage option or original Medicare. She highlighted that Blue Cross Blue Shield’s WyoBlue Advantage and Humana still offer plans in many Wyoming communities.
Residents have until February 28 to select a new plan, though those who need medication should secure coverage before the end of December to avoid a January gap.
Legislative response
In response to the growing affordability crisis, the Wyoming Legislature created a task force this year to examine insurance costs and explore measures to protect consumers. The task force will consider options ranging from expanding state‑run programs to encouraging competition among insurers.
Connie Trowbridge, president of WyoBlue Advantage, noted that insurers across the country face rising medical costs, increased utilization, changing federal requirements, and workforce challenges, all of which pressure premiums in both individual and Medicare markets.
As Wyoming families grapple with these rising costs, community leaders and policymakers stress the importance of preserving access to affordable health coverage while maintaining the fiscal responsibility that Wyoming voters value.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
