Medicare Advantage Plans in Wyoming
Key Takeaways
- You can enroll in Medicare AdvantageMedicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) is health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older that blends Medicare benefits with private health insurance. This typically includes a bundle of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). plans in Wyoming when you turn age 65 to replace Parts A and B of Original Medicare (Parts A and B)Original Medicare is a fee-for-service health insurance program available to Americans aged 65 and older and some individuals with disabilities. Original Medicare is provided by the federal government and is made up of two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). .
- Many Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage not included in Original Medicare such as for prescription drugs, dental, and vision.
- Medicare Advantage in Wyoming recently expanded to cover the entire state.
Medicare Advantage enrollment is growing in Wyoming. In 2024, 15 Medicare Advantage plans were available in the state. Every Wyoming resident eligible for Medicare has access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan.
What specific plans you can enroll in depends on your ZIP code, so it’s important to look into your options. Let’s explore what you need to know about enrolling in Medicare Advantage in Wyoming.
Find the Medicare Plan that works for you.
Find My Ideal PlanWyoming Medicare Advantage Plan Coverage
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are sold by private insurers and must provide at least the same coverage as Parts A and B of Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage plans incorporate Part D prescription coverage, and many also provide additional coverage options such as dental, hearing, and vision.
While Original Medicare can be used throughout the country, Medicare Advantage plans typically allow you to see doctors and providers within a provider network. These are a group of Medicare-approved medical professionals in an area that have signed a contract to treat an insurance company’s customers. Your provider network is generally based on where you live.
Different Medicare Advantage plan types exist. In Wyoming, a popular Medicare Advantage plan type is Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS). PFFS plans are different from other common plan types: Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs). Some of the ways these are different is that HMOs and PPOs often require a person to establish a primary care provider and may require referrals to see specialty physicians. Under a PFFS plan, a person does not have to have a primary care physician or referral for specialty services.
WY Medicare Advantage Plan Costs
Medicare Advantage plans usually involve paying a monthly premiumA premium is a fee you pay to your insurance company for health plan coverage. This is usually a monthly cost.
in addition to the Part B premium. According to Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services, the average monthly premium in Wyoming was $22.63 in 2024.
However, there are Medicare Advantage plans available that do not charge a premium. According to CMS, all Wyoming residents had access to at least one plan with a $0 monthly premium in 2024.
Deciding on the right Medicare Advantage plan in Wyoming for you often comes down to decisions of cost and coverage. You must usually weigh how much you can pay a month in a premium versus the difference in coverage. For example, some low- or no-premium plans have higher deductibles or medical specialists co-payments. These differences could make the plan more expensive over time. However, if you do not typically use a significant amount of healthcare services, a $0 deductible plan may be most cost-effective for you.
Find the Medicare Plan that works for you.
Find My Ideal PlanMedicare Advantage Plan Eligibility & Enrollment in Wyoming
Most people will qualify for Medicare Advantage in Wyoming based on their age. When a person turns age 65, they can begin receiving Medicare benefits. If a person isn’t currently receiving Social Security benefits (and is therefore automatically enrolled), they can sign up for Medicare starting three months before their 65th birthday.
You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan after you sign up for Parts A and B of Original Medicare. Medicare calls this your Initial Enrollment Period. The Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes your 65th birthday month and extends to the three months after your 65th birthday as well. Signing up as soon as you’re eligible ensures your benefits will start in a timely fashion.
If you are not happy with your current Medicare plan, you can sign up for new coverage at designated times throughout the year. Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (also known as the Annual Enrollment Period), runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. This period allows you to switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage or switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another one. Coverage begins on January 1 of the following year.
You can also switch your Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. This time is from January 1 to March 31. You have to be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan at the time to either switch to a new plan or go back to Original Medicare. If you have Original Medicare, you cannot join a Medicare Advantage plan at this time.
Some people also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period that allows them to enroll in a new coverage. This is often true if you move and your plan isn’t offered in your area in Wyoming or if your current plan stops offering services.
Are There Wyoming Medicare Advantage Plans With Prescription Drug Coverage?
In addition to Medicare Advantage, private insurance companies sell Part DMedicare Part D is prescription drug coverage for people enrolled in Medicare. Part D is optional and is offered by private insurance companies.
prescription drug plans. With Medicare Advantage in Wyoming, some plans bundle drug coverage. If you’re on Original Medicare, you have to choose a standalone Part D plan for your prescription drug coverage.
When you are evaluating Medicare Advantage plans in Wyoming that also have prescription drug coverage, you can look at a company’s formulary. This is the list of medications the plan covers. Medicare requires all prescription drug plans to cover at least two medications in major drug categories, such as high blood pressure medicines and diuretics.
Additional Wyoming Medicare Advantage Info
Ready for a new Medicare Advantage plan?
Get Help NowMedicare Learning Guides
Healthcare is personal. So is choosing insurance. If you are new to Medicare, a beneficiary researching options, or a caregiver, we have tailored Medicare Guides for you.
Before 65 Guide
Understanding health insurance before age 65, especially when considering early retirement
Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
Medicare Beneficiary Guide
For those currently enrolled in Medicare
Low Income and Medicare Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
A Caregiver's Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
Sources
- FACT SHEET. CMS.gov.
This website is operated by GoHealth, LLC., a licensed health insurance company. The website and its contents are for informational and educational purposes; helping people understand Medicare in a simple way. The purpose of this website is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by a licensed insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Our mission is to help every American get better health insurance and save money.
Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.