Why Wyoming Residents Choose Medigap Over Medicare Advantage
With only 14 Medicare Advantage plans available statewide, Wyoming offers far fewer MA options than most states. Here is why the vast majority of Wyoming seniors stick with Original Medicare plus a Medigap supplement:- Provider access matters in rural areas — Wyoming is the least populated state in the U.S. with vast distances between healthcare facilities. Medigap plans let you see any doctor who accepts Medicare, with no network restrictions or referral requirements.
- No prior authorization — Unlike Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap policies do not require pre-approval for procedures or specialist visits.
- Predictable costs — With Plan G, your only out-of-pocket cost is the annual Part B deductible ($257). With Plan N, you will have small copays for office and ER visits but enjoy lower monthly premiums.
- Travel coverage — Both Plan G and Plan N include coverage for emergency medical care while traveling abroad, which Original Medicare and most MA plans do not cover.
- Nationwide coverage — Whether you are visiting family in Denver or wintering in Arizona, your Medigap plan works anywhere in the country.
Plan G vs. Plan N in Wyoming: Which Is Right for You?
Plan G and Plan N are the two most popular Medicare Supplement plans in Wyoming. Both provide excellent coverage, but they differ in a few key areas:| Coverage Feature | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part A Coinsurance and Hospital Costs | 100% | 100% |
| Part B Coinsurance/Copayment | 100% | 100% (with copays*) |
| Part A Deductible | Covered | Covered |
| Part B Deductible | Not Covered | Not Covered |
| Part B Excess Charges | Covered | Not Covered |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance | 100% | 100% |
| Foreign Travel Emergency (80%) | Covered | Covered |
| Blood (First 3 Pints) | Covered | Covered |
| Office Visit Copay | None | Up to $20 |
| ER Visit Copay (not admitted) | None | Up to $50 |
| Average Monthly Premium (WY) | $168 | $130-$155 |
Medicare Plan G Rates in Wyoming by Carrier
Wyoming uses the attained-age rating method for Medigap pricing, which means your premium is based on your current age and increases as you get older. Shopping during your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period (the 6 months after turning 65 and enrolling in Part B) gets you the best rates with no health screening required. Here are the most affordable Plan G options available in Wyoming:| Carrier | Monthly Premium (Avg) |
|---|---|
| Chubb Limited | $119 |
| Swiss Re | $120 |
| GGC | $124 |
| ManhattanLife | $125 |
| Fairfax Financial | $125 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming | $155-$185 |
| State Average | $168 |
Medicare Plan N Rates in Wyoming
Plan N typically costs $15 to $40 less per month than Plan G from the same carrier. Here are estimated Plan N rates in Wyoming:| Carrier | Estimated Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Chubb Limited | $95-$105 |
| Swiss Re | $98-$108 |
| GGC | $100-$112 |
| ManhattanLife | $102-$115 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming | $130-$160 |
| State Average | $130-$155 |
Wyoming’s Medigap Birthday Rule
Wyoming has adopted the Medigap Birthday Rule, joining several other states that give Medicare beneficiaries more flexibility to switch supplement plans. Under this rule, you can change your Medigap policy to one with the same or lesser benefits within 63 days of your birthday — without medical underwriting or being denied for pre-existing conditions.
Why this matters: Normally, once your initial 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period ends, insurance companies can deny you or charge higher rates based on your health history if you try to switch plans. The birthday rule gives you an annual window to shop for better rates.
How to use the birthday rule in Wyoming:
- Your switch window opens 63 days before your birthday and closes 63 days after
- You can switch to a plan with the same or lesser benefits (e.g., Plan G to Plan G with a different carrier, or Plan G to Plan N)
- You cannot use it to upgrade to a higher-benefit plan
- The new insurer cannot deny you or charge more based on health conditions
- This applies every year — giving you an annual opportunity to shop for lower rates
Pro tip: If your current Plan G premium has crept up over the years, use your birthday window to compare rates from other carriers. Wyoming residents can save $30-$60 per month just by switching carriers during this period. Call us at 1-888-781-6026 to compare rates before your next birthday.
How Wyoming Regulates Medigap Pricing
Wyoming uses the attained-age rating method for Medigap policies. Here is what that means for you:
- Attained-age rated: Your premium is based on your current age and increases as you get older
- Premiums start lowest at age 65 and gradually increase each year
- Annual increases come from two sources: age-based increases and general medical inflation adjustments
- Gender matters: Women typically pay lower premiums than men in Wyoming
This is why enrolling during your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period (the 6 months after turning 65 and enrolling in Part B) is critical — you lock in the lowest possible starting rate with no health screening.
Top Medigap Insurance Companies in Wyoming
Wyoming’s small population means fewer carriers compete in the market, but you still have solid options:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming — The dominant local carrier with the widest name recognition
- Chubb Limited — Often the most affordable Plan G option in the state
- Swiss Re — Competitive rates, especially for younger enrollees
- GGC (Government Government Contractors) — Consistently low premiums
- ManhattanLife — Affordable rates with reliable service
- Fairfax Financial — Budget-friendly option worth comparing
Important: All Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government — a Plan G from Chubb covers exactly the same benefits as a Plan G from Blue Cross. The only differences are premium price and customer service quality. Always compare at least 3-4 carriers before enrolling.
Medicare Supplement Costs by City in Wyoming
Premium rates can vary within Wyoming depending on your zip code. Here is how average Plan G costs compare across major cities:
| City | Avg. Plan G Premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne | $155-$175 | State capital, most carrier options |
| Casper | $160-$180 | Central location, good carrier availability |
| Laramie | $150-$170 | University town, slightly lower rates |
| Gillette | $165-$185 | Energy sector area, slightly higher healthcare costs |
| Rock Springs | $160-$180 | Southwest Wyoming |
| Sheridan | $155-$175 | Northern Wyoming, VA hospital nearby |
| Jackson | $170-$195 | Higher cost of living area |
Rates are estimates for a 65-year-old non-smoker. Your actual premium depends on carrier, age, gender, and tobacco use. Call 1-888-781-6026 for an exact quote for your zip code.
Get Your Free Wyoming Medicare Supplement Quote
Finding the right Medigap plan in Wyoming does not have to be complicated. As licensed Medicare brokers, we compare rates from all major carriers in your area — at no cost to you.
Call us today at 1-888-781-6026 or schedule a free consultation to:
- Compare Plan G and Plan N rates from every carrier in your Wyoming zip code
- Find out if you qualify for the birthday rule switching window
- Get help enrolling during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period
- Understand your options if you are switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap
Medicare Plan G premiums in Wyoming range from approximately $119 to $185 per month for a 65-year-old non-smoker, depending on the insurance carrier. The state average is around $168 per month. Rates vary by age, gender, zip code, and tobacco use.
Yes. Wyoming has adopted the Medigap Birthday Rule, which allows you to switch your Medicare Supplement plan to one with the same or lesser benefits within 63 days of your birthday without medical underwriting. This gives you an annual opportunity to shop for lower rates from competing carriers.
Both plans cover most out-of-pocket Medicare costs, but Plan G covers Part B excess charges and has no copays for doctor visits or ER visits. Plan N does not cover excess charges and may charge up to $20 per doctor visit and $50 for ER visits that do not result in admission. Plan N typically costs $15 to $40 less per month than Plan G.
Major Medigap carriers in Wyoming include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming, Chubb Limited, Swiss Re, GGC, ManhattanLife, and Fairfax Financial. All Plan G policies cover the same benefits regardless of carrier, so comparing premiums and customer service is key.
The best time is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which is the 6 months after you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge higher rates due to pre-existing conditions. After this period, you can use the birthday rule annually to switch plans.