Opinion: What You Need to Know About Changing Health Care Costs

Health care costs are rising, and Wyoming families will feel the squeeze. Diane Gore, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming, explains that while the new One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act expands HSAs and telehealth coverage, it did not extend the enhanced ACA premium tax credits, which expire at the end of 2025. Without those credits, Marketplace premiums could skyrocket (example: a 60-year-old Wyoming couple seeing costs jump from $0 to over $31,000 a year).

Since 2020, Wyoming Marketplace enrollment has nearly doubled thanks to these credits, but their loss could push healthier people out of the system, driving up premiums further. Rising hospital, drug, and service costs will also contribute to the biggest medical cost growth in a decade.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming urges residents to review coverage carefully during open enrollment and will be offering meetings and webinars statewide. Gore emphasizes that affordability depends on the whole health care ecosystem, and while challenges are systemic, individuals can still manage costs through preventive care and smart plan choices.

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