It’s important to be aware of your options if you’re looking for health insurance in Wyoming. Is Medicare the right option for you? If so, which plan(s) should you choose? We’ve put together this handy guide to help you navigate these various questions.
The Best Medicare in Wyoming:
- Best Overall in Wyoming: Original Medicare
- Most Affordable in Wyoming: Aetna
- Best for Medicare Part D: SilverScript
- Best for Medical Savings Accounts: Lasso Healthcare
- Best for Private Fee-for-Service Plans: UnitedHealthcare
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a health insurance program offered to qualified individuals. There are a few different types of Medicare plans, so it’s important to be aware of this as you choose your health insurance. Medicare is a federal health insurance program and some parts of Medicare are offered by private insurance companies.
Part A: Medicare Part A is your hospital insurance. This part of Medicare covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing home, hospice care and in some cases, home health care.
Part B: Medicare Part B is your medical insurance. This covers outpatient care, preventive services and visits, medical supplies and other services offered by your doctor.
Part C: Part C refers to Medicare Advantage Plans. This is a Medicare alternative that is offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.
Part D: Medicare Part D is your prescription drug coverage. It supplements Medicare and will add coverage for your prescriptions to your Medicare plan.
You may qualify for Medicare if you:
1. Are 65 or older
2. Have a disability
3. Suffer from end-stage renal disease, which requires dialysis and/or a transplant
Legalities of Medicare in Wyoming
Medicare is a government-controlled health plan. This plan allows you to see any doctor that accepts Medicare insurance plans. There is no maximum dollar limit on your Medicare benefits. As long as you receive medically-necessary services covered by Medicare, you do not need to worry about restrictions.
Medicare Advantage is a private insurance plan offered by companies that are approved by Medicare. Your Medicare Advantage insurance provider can restrict coverage on your plan. Before you sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, check to see whether your preferred doctors are covered by the plan.
Medicare Advantage plans can also require referrals from your primary care doctor before it covers a specialist visit. Prescription drug coverage may also be limited by your Medicare Advantage plan. Some plans only cover generic drugs and will not cover brand-name treatments. In some cases, the plan may extend coverage to brand-name treatments if you do not see results from generic drug treatments.
You are also prohibited from carrying a Medigap policy if you have a Medicare Advantage plan. Medigap policies are Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans that are designed to cover you if there is a gap in your Medicare coverage.
Types of Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage plans offer both HMO and PPO options. Understanding the difference between the plan types can help you choose the best coverage for your needs.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans
HMOs bundle Medicare Part A and Part B insurance into 1 Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Advantage HMO plans usually include Medicare Part D insurance. This means hospital, medical and prescription drug coverage are all included in a single Medicare Advantage plan. These HMO plans may also include vision, hearing and dental coverage.
There are a few things you need to be aware of with a Medicare Advantage HMO plan. Your plan will only cover visits to doctors and hospitals within your plan’s network. Before you select your plan, ensure that the health care provider and hospital you visit most often are included within the plan’s network.
In some cases, the HMO plan will cover visits to doctors and hospitals outside of the plan’s network if you encounter an emergency situation. These plans usually require a referral from your in-network primary care doctor for specialist visits.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans
PPO plans offer similar coverage to HMO plans. They combine your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage and usually includes Part D coverage as well. These plans may also cover your vision, hearing and dental coverage.
PPO plans differ in how their coverage is structured. With a PPO plan, you are not restricted to only visiting doctors and hospitals within the plan’s network. However, you may need to pay more for visits to doctors and hospitals that are not within the plan’s network.
PPO plans usually do not require you to receive a referral from your doctor for a specialist visit. This can save you the hassle of multiple doctor visits and allow you to be seen by a specialist sooner.
No matter which Medicare Advantage plan type you choose, you should be aware of the costs that accompany these plans. Here are a few terms to know, too:
Deductibles: Most health insurance plans require you to meet a deductible before you can begin contributing to your medical costs. The deductible is a set dollar amount that you are responsible for. When you visit doctors, you give them your insurance card and information so you can keep track of how much you have spent on medical care. Once you’ve met your deductible, you won’t need to pay the full amount at your doctors’ visits.
Coinsurance: Your plan may require you to make coinsurance payments at your doctor’s visits after you’ve met your deductible. Your coinsurance responsibility will be a set percentage of each medical service you receive. You will pay this percentage directly to the doctor’s office or hospital that provided your medical service. Your insurance plan will then pay the remaining percentage.
Copays: Your insurance plan may require copays instead of coinsurance. Copays are a fixed dollar amount that you are responsible for paying after you have met your deductible. Like coinsurance payments, you will be responsible for giving your copay directly to your service provider. Your insurance plan will pay the remaining balance of your bill.
How to Sign Up for Medicare in Wyoming
The steps you will take to sign up for Medicare in Wyoming depend on the Medicare plan type you’d like to use. If you would like to sign up for Medicare Part A or Part B, there are a few ways to enroll:
1. Online
2. You can call Social Security anytime Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1-800-772-1213.
3. You can also enroll by visiting a Social Security office near you.
The process is a little different if you want to enroll in one of the Medicare Advantage plans. Since these plans are offered by private insurance companies, there are more options to choose from. Compare the plans available to you before you make a decision. When you’ve found the plan you’d like to enroll in, you can do so in a few ways:
1. Some insurance companies offer the option to enroll online. You can visit the company’s website to see if they offer this option.
2. You can contact the insurance company directly to require a paper enrollment form for you to fill out and submit to them.
3. You can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan by phone by calling 1-800-633-4227.
Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in Wyoming
Next, start comparing your plan options. The costs associated with these plans can vary widely. Choose the coverage that best fits your medical and prescription needs.
| Plan Name | Company | Plan Type | Health & Drug Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lasso Healthcare | Lasso Healthcare | MSA | $2,843.88 |
| Aetna Medicare Value Plan | Aetna Medicare | PPO | $816.00 |
| Aetna Advantra Select | Aetna Medicare | HMO | $605.16 |
| UnitedHealthcare MedicareDirect Essential | UnitedHealthcare | PFFS | $3,323.88 |
| UnitedHealthcare MedicareDirect Rx | UnitedHealthcare | PFFS | $870.48 |
Best Medicare Insurance Providers in Wyoming
Finally, consider the overall rating of your insurance company. Some companies will be a better fit for you than others depending on what coverage they can offer you.
1. Best Overall in Wyoming: Original Medicare
The first place you should look is at the government-regulated Original Medicare option if you’re looking for Medicare in Wyoming. Enrolling in Original Medicare allows you to customize the coverage you receive.
This option offers you more flexible options in terms of which doctors and providers you can visit.
- Member support
2. Most Affordable in Wyoming: Aetna Medicare
Aetna Medicare can offer you a few different types of Medicare coverage. It offers both HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage plans. T
hese plans are a great option if you’re looking for a plan that covers a wide range of medical services at a low monthly premium. Aetna Medicare also offers Medigap coverage, which may offer lower out-of-pocket expenses.
Aetna offers licensed agents who are committed to helping you find the best plan for your needs.
- Best for Prescription Medication
3. Best for Medicare Part D: SilverScript
SilverScript is a company that might want to become familiar with if you’re looking at Medicare Part D plans.
Look at each company’s deductible, monthly premium and the type of coverage it provides. SilverScript allows a few levels of coverage at lower monthly premiums compared to many of its competitors.
It also offers plans with $0 deductible and allows you to start using your benefits as soon as you pick up your first prescription.
- Best for MSA
4. Best for Medical Savings Accounts: Lasso Healthcare
You may want a Medicare Advantage plan that offers a medical savings account.
These plans combine a high-deductible insurance plan with a medical savings account and allow you to use your medical savings account to pay for your health care even before you meet your deductible.
Once you’ve met your deductible, you will receive coverage on any future medical services. Lasso Healthcare offers this unique option for Medicare customers in Wyoming.
- Same day coverage available
5. Best for Private Fee-for-Service Plans: UnitedHealthcare
Private fee-for-service plans are another Medicare Advantage option. These plans do not require prior authorization on any medical services and may or may not offer a network of providers.
However, if you enroll in this plan, you can see any provider you would like as long you’re eligible to receive payment from Medicare. UnitedHealthcare offers a couple of different private fee-for-service plans to Wyoming Medicare customers.
Which Medicare Plan is Right for You?
At the end of the day, the best Medicare plan is the one that works for you. Take the time to review the different Medicare options and compare them with your needs. You can also speak with friends and family to ask about their experiences with insurance providers in the Equality State.
If you have questions about an insurance plan, don’t be afraid to ask. Each Medicare provider will be happy to answer questions for you as you navigate this important decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Q: What are the different parts of Medicare?
Medicare has 4 parts named Parts A, B, C, and D. Part A provides hospitalization coverage while Part B provides outpatient coverage, like doctor visits. Parts A and B make up Medicare’s core coverages. Part C is provides private-market Medicare plans, called Medicare Advantage Plans. Part C coverage often includes additional benefits. Medicare Part D provides coverage for prescription drugs. Get a Medicare Insurance Quote through the top providers here.
2) Q: Is Medicare free?
Because there are 4 parts to Medicare, there can be different cost structures. Most people won’t have to pay for Medicare Part A (hospitalization). Eligibility for premium-free Part A is based on your work history during which you paid Medicare taxes. Many people do pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part B, however, which covers outpatient medical services, like doctor visits. Deductibles also apply to services covered under Medicare Parts A and B, so you’ll pay a part of the annual cost.
Medicare Parts C and D are optional coverages and have premium costs of their own. Medicare Part C refers to Medicare Advantage Plans that offer additional coverage in exchange for a monthly premium. Part D, the prescription plan, reduces the cost of medications but also requires a monthly premium. Subsidies may be available for low income households to help reduce overall Medicare costs.
3) Q: Do I need to sign up for Medicare?
If you signed up for Social Security before age 65, you were enrolled in Medicare automatically but benefits will begin at age 65. In most cases, there are penalties for not enrolling at age 65, so it pays to sign up on time. Click here to get a medicare quote in minutes from the best providers.
If you have employer coverage, you may be able to delay Medicare coverage while your work plan is still in force. However, the size of the employer determines whether you’ll pay a penalty for not enrolling at age 65. Employees (and their spouses) of companies that offer group health insurance to 20 or more people are usually exempt from late sign-up penalties if they are covered by the employer’s plan.
About Ashley Hart
Ashley Hart is a personal finance writer passionate about helping people feel empowered to take control of their finances. She has more than eight years of writing experience, focused on insurance.