The Mountain Health Co-Op, one of two insurers offering individual insurance in Wyoming, has announced its withdrawal from the state’s health insurance marketplace. This decision affects approximately 11,000 members, who must now find a new health insurance carrier before next year. The co-op’s departure is attributed to high claims costs and significant losses in Wyoming, prompting the company to focus on its operations in Idaho and Montana instead.
The withdrawal of Mountain Health Co-Op is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it highlights the challenges of providing health care in Wyoming, where the small population and rural landscape make it difficult to spread risk. As a result, health insurance rates are expected to increase by around 25% in 2026. The co-op’s departure is also a symptom of deeper issues facing Wyoming, including the high cost of providing health care and the lack of control over what health care providers can charge.
Wyoming’s health care costs are among the highest in the country, which can be attributed to the state’s older population and the lack of younger, healthier members to offset the risk pool. The state’s business-friendly environment, characterized by lower taxes and fewer regulations, does not seem to apply to the health care sector. The Wyoming Legislature and federal delegation have tools available to help lower health care costs, but more needs to be done to address this issue.
The rising cost of health care is not a new discussion, and it is essential to examine the drivers of these costs. The cost of health care can vary significantly between providers, and it is crucial for consumers to be aware of these costs and challenge health care providers who charge excessively. The expansion of Medicaid eligibility, premium tax credits, and coverage of essential and preventive care have helped keep costs down in the past. However, the departure of Mountain Health Co-Op should serve as a wake-up call to address the underlying issues in Wyoming’s health care system.
Mountain Health Co-Op was a unique company that invested in its members and the community, offering zero-dollar co-pay prescriptions, travel reimbursements, and a focus on preventive medicine. The next company to enter the Wyoming market may not have the same commitment, highlighting the need for the state to take action to address its health care challenges. The can has been kicked down the road for too long, and it is essential for Wyoming to find a solution to its health care woes to ensure that its residents have access to affordable and quality health care.