[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6188093,"mediaKeyId","5063492-b14f4492698d45ba26a4f1e6565558ed","parentId",5063492,"title","Wyoming insurance regulator describes small, self‑funded agency, PBM oversight and local market differences","audioSeconds",1544,"startMs",2848000,"endMs",4392000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5063492-b14f4492698d45ba26a4f1e6565558ed&start=2848&end=4392","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5063492-b14f4492698d45ba26a4f1e6565558ed/thumbnail_2848000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6188093/Wyoming/Wyoming-insurance-regulator-describes-small-selffunded-agency-PBM-oversight-and-local-market-differences","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188093-1807ccc01142820f4080efb43034a839/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439988&Signature=jjOLYbYdv0-iatxZgDNqnRP-YOhJzYmJ3iZkk0EaPkZoH191YlPAEmhq27ci1cFHFhXvkTMQXcS8nYSaU4GhSMpTEdJBMRUJkccZPZsSZzCvWfccYb0gzvCsDS4OFI8Ebe9PsjtGThv4PUQxBDM~qXu47U0y4aeQbssjPM-LSAMnNsXKMAvYmZ-Nl5F4cP6bPZPK8Zc5oXnifpV76dOCfAjugkG77eFGHPLVRoRkGSgXsRnLYLiBgueahQZC57lOxJ2iHsG31wrt2cvotNOSXQzIbk5rG4I4ewqv-GpcGYPXaJYFog9hRVlnDsP1Y3vYjAd6RwCoobOJYD9SYb99dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-06-24T20:26:41Z","article","Cheyenne — The Wyoming Department of Insurance told lawmakers on June 24 that it remains a small regulatory agency that is self‑funded through industry assessments while overseeing insurers, licensing, market conduct and a newly established pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) unit.
“We are the Department of Insurance. We regulate everything about insurance, all aspects,” Deputy Commissioner Tana Howard said as she introduced the department’s functions to the Labor, Health & Social Services Committee.
Howard told the committee that the department has 27 employees and manages licensing (about 215,000 active licenses, mostly nonresident), financial examinations of domestic carriers, policy form and rate reviews in narrowly required lines, a consumer complaints division and an inspection/market conduct function. The department conducts accreditation work with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and uses NAIC model law guidance.
Howard and senior health policy analyst Jill Reinking outlined several programs: the Wyoming Health Insurance Pool (WIP), a high‑risk pool that serves about 700 enrollees (largely older and disabled Medicare supplement customers); a public service announcement requirement under Wyoming statute that historically required print publication (Wyoming Statute 26‑3‑126); and a recently funded PBM compliance position that investigates PBM practices and conducts outreach to rural pharmacies.
Howard said Medicaid and federal plans drive much of the health market structure and that Wyoming’s market differs from larger states because of low population density and provider shortages, which affect network adequacy and costs. On rates, she noted Wyoming does not require property/casualty insurers to file rates but does require filings for certain lines such as long‑term care and Medicare supplements.
“We currently the enrollment is steadily dropping in, in the health insurance pool as more options become available,” Howard said of WIP, and added that the pool is partially funded by insurer assessments and partially by general fund appropriations. The department also collects a premium tax (described in testimony as 0.0075) and surplus lines tax revenue that contribute to the general fund.
Reinking told the committee the department prepared a provider credentialing form ahead of the new provider enrollment standards that take effect July 1 and said the form would be available online; she also said the department expected no rulemaking was required because the statute established most requirements.
On PBMs, Howard said the department established a program manager position to accept complaints, do outreach and investigate practices affecting rural pharmacies and consumers. She said the PBM unit had created a complaint process, forms and an outreach plan.
Consumer assistance and market conduct: the division handled roughly 1,500 complaints or inquiries last year and the market conduct staff (one person) conducts deeper pattern and practice investigations. Howard emphasized the department’s role as a consumer intermediary — it can investigate and recommend but cannot act as private counsel for a consumer.
Why it matters: Committee members asked about the rising costs and availability of home/mobile‑home insurance and trends in health coverage related to federal premium tax credits. Howard said the department expected some enrollment and rate shifts if federal premium tax credits for the ACA marketplace change but did not predict immediate large increases in Wyoming because of differences in the state market. The department said it posts monthly public service announcements on its website and circulates them through NAIC and stakeholder channels despite the statutory print requirement.
The department said it would follow up with committee requests for data, including a provider credentialing form and additional market surveys on rates and coverage availability in ZIP codes where insurers are limited.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, June 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Wyoming Department of Insurance described a small, self‑funded regulatory operation that licenses agents, examines domestic carriers, reviews policy filings, helps consumers with complaints, and has added a pharmacy benefit manager oversight role.","taxTitle","Labor, Health & Social Services, Joint & Standing, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",29185,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6188082,"Naturopathic physicians press for licensure in Wyoming; lawmakers request stakeholder working group",9260,7738000,16998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5063492-b14f4492698d45ba26a4f1e6565558ed&start=7738&end=16998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5063492-b14f4492698d45ba26a4f1e6565558ed/thumbnail_7738000.jpg","/articles/6188082/Wyoming/Naturopathic-physicians-press-for-licensure-in-Wyoming-lawmakers-request-stakeholder-working-group","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188082-11d8e9b61e40104c4a24218492648a2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439988&Signature=TsPLlKcCzm2K-UmiXfucD~FpiPA1AH0e0Xok1wSqteqrpobNisGEJvq7YpR6dJ~sIVeeWtw51FELtAzhS3wUGJxjuQHDYRtaB3eYftzGwpL54kt7YsPiwHAjelTRpKHUccIsccY6viCPnwGsWFN0eH8QcNfkV~1RPTjwaHoRlvxCW1CZ0xeMrDIjuhWudzlzroTq9ITfOny~-9Hpx4Y~Ds4f6zniZdeK9dIalvQK6Pt6mewq-StO5J0yvNSEWWA19TBbW~pN3d4FfQvY1WLPTOpxQvKNEzPmivXZxF8MIp4OkwuNCaD89VZ02PmKW2OS601Fl31NmUqMZCHYERxGtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cheyenne — Dozens of naturopathic physicians, medical students and advocates urged the Labor, Health & Social Services Committee on June 24 to create a licensure pathway in Wyoming for graduates of accredited 4‑year naturopathic medical programs.
\"I am here today to ask you to consider sponsoring a bill for naturopathic physician licensing,\" Dr. Thea Marks, a Wyoming‑born naturopathic physician, told lawmakers, citing rural access gaps, maternal health needs and mental‑health services as areas where licensed naturopathic physicians could expand care.
Speakers across the day — including Dr. Sean Palmer, Dr. Carol Iverson, faculty and students from accredited naturopathic medical schools and practicing NDs — described a four‑year doctoral curriculum, clinical internships and nationally administered board exams. Several presenters emphasized that licensed naturopathic physicians provide integrative primary care, preventive medicine, nutrition counseling, botanical therapies and, in many licensing states, limited minor procedures and non‑opioid injections.
Education leaders explained that accredited naturopathic medical schools are Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) programs with more than 4,000 hours of training (about 1,200 clinical hours) and that graduates may pursue additional elective certifications (for example, IV therapy or minor procedures). National university deans described supervisory and examination requirements and urged Wyoming to adopt licensure aligned with established, Department of Education‑recognized programs.
Committee members debated the policy details: whether any licensure should be placed under the Wyoming Board of Medicine or under a separate naturopathic board; how to protect titles so that “naturopath” as a generic term does not confer physician privileges; and whether licensure should include prescriptive authority for legend drugs or controlled substances. Several committee members stressed the complexity of unifying titles and scopes: Representative John Clauston noted that physician title protection is a common precedent and Senator Crum asked the department about the training distinctions between naturopaths and naturopathic physicians.
Several student speakers told the committee license availability is a major factor in where they will practice after graduation; education and practice proponents said neighboring states (Montana, North Dakota, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico) already license naturopathic physicians.
Why it matters: Supporters argued licensure would expand primary care capacity in rural regions, add preventive services that may reduce chronic‑disease costs, and let patients choose integrative options near home. Opponents and cautious committee members requested careful statutory drafting to avoid confusing lesser‑trained practitioners with licensed NDs and asked for a working group to resolve scope, titles, board structure and insurer coverage questions.
Next steps: The committee agreed to form a stakeholder working group to draft and review licensure language, engage the Wyoming Medical Society and other stakeholders, and produce draft options for committee review before the next meeting. Several members asked LSO to provide a memo on the legal use of the term “physician” across Wyoming statutes to help guide drafting.","Naturopathic doctors, students and supporters urged Wyoming lawmakers to license naturopathic physicians who complete accredited four‑year doctorate programs, arguing that licensed NDs would expand rural primary care, maternal and preventive services.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6188088,"Hospitals push for rule clarifying human review when insurers use AI in prior‑authorization denials",3167,8935000,12102000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5063492-b14f4492698d45ba26a4f1e6565558ed&start=8935&end=12102","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5063492-b14f4492698d45ba26a4f1e6565558ed/thumbnail_8935000.jpg","/articles/6188088/Wyoming/Hospitals-push-for-rule-clarifying-human-review-when-insurers-use-AI-in-priorauthorization-denials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188088-701b14583a2ade11ab20de0cd78ebbf1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439988&Signature=RDuZWcEkuWuF0gNRpLwprGYZCrkpuO9AAS-mesGKO-P5S24eDSXBvZRh7-kLhLr7LLSartb4QA-7oHUKLQDqa2IA~LTARdNYCUwu5gJ-zcoEgUVuEQ1~uEOB37Keq~Vh0UMds6~7zYwcswc8Ou9zkaSl7F-mtcy26tOoWMvGQjqD4jBH7npc4C~h1txC~MaWAl164q7zRfVY~YbJ2Fgrbxt72zuiRRi7ZH12laqGJdkqa1Y9qD96~Vd8ZTqy~~PveV4ZMwPa0snbn3WlFHixWpkC23DtXTPz~jmVklVwdiZSOiEuG0xDskJQywt9K7N0iCGmNWUJKT5cvh~9lezdhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cheyenne — A bipartisan group of providers and insurers told the Labor, Health & Social Services Committee on June 24 that prior authorization denials must include clinician review and that proposed legislation should clarify how insurer use of artificial intelligence (AI) fits into existing law.
“What we bring before you today is a small clarification to that law,” Josh Hannes of the Wyoming Hospital Association told the committee, asking the panel to add language that would require a licensed clinician to “meaningfully review” any insurer decision premised on an AI output before an adverse determination is issued.
Hospitals raised several cases from other states in which employees alleged AI was being used to triage or drive denials; Hannes and others asked the Legislature to make a technical change to Wyoming Statute 26‑55‑104 so the statute explicitly requires a documented clinical review when an insurer’s denial traces back to an algorithmic recommendation.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming’s Kelsey Prestesater told the panel the company has already committed not to use AI to make prior‑authorization denials in Wyoming and affirmed the company’s support for transparent rules. “Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming already has committed to not utilizing artificial intelligence in the prior authorization process for adverse determinations,” Prestesater said.
Several carriers and trade representatives including Cigna, Mountain Health Co‑op and CVS/Caremark — and the Wyoming Department of Insurance — said the current statute already requires a clinician to make adverse determinations, and that the department enforces the statute through complaints and market conduct. The Department of Insurance noted it has not received complaints alleging insurers in the state are using AI to deny prior authorization but said the NAIC is studying AI and that state departments are coordinating on model language.
Committee members asked practical questions about enforcement and whether a clinician who merely “rubber‑stamps” an AI recommendation would meet statutory standards. Bruce Spencer, an attorney representing Mountain Health Co‑op, cautioned against inserting unclear language that would inadvertently “muddle” an otherwise clear statutory requirement that an adverse determination be made by a physician or appropriate health care provider.
Hospitals countered that the clarification sought was purposefully narrow: it would not ban insurer use of AI as a triage tool but would require documentation that a licensed and clinically knowledgeable provider reviewed any adverse decision that originated with AI and that the reviewer considered clinical context.
Why it matters: Committee discussion reflected a national policy debate about algorithmic decision‑making in health care and the adequacy of clinician oversight in insurer utilization management. Insurers emphasized existing legal obligations and voluntary corporate commitments; hospitals said clarification will give clinicians and patients greater certainty about who made a denial and why.
The committee asked stakeholders to work together on language and flagged the issue for future consideration; members suggested holding the draft for the general session so stakeholders and regulators can align on model language developed by NAIC and federal guidance.","Hospital and insurer witnesses told the committee they agree adverse coverage denials must be made by licensed providers; hospitals asked the Legislature to clarify that an insurer‑side AI recommendation must be ‘‘meaningfully’’ reviewed by a clinician before denial.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6188098,"Wyoming workforce chiefs warn Job Corps uncertainty, outline training, UI and workers' comp finances",4113,168000,4281000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5063492-b14f4492698d45ba26a4f1e6565558ed&start=168&end=4281","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5063492-b14f4492698d45ba26a4f1e6565558ed/thumbnail_168000.jpg","/articles/6188098/Wyoming/Wyoming-workforce-chiefs-warn-Job-Corps-uncertainty-outline-training-UI-and-workers-comp-finances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188098-ae2022aaa841838466888b7b4c06f54d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439988&Signature=Web9LuKk4Ypcef~YY58y3I2gHtYGqkBFb8ue5eRB3eQhNUgEZc87JAbyECPkmn174C0PbDGMdalJguupcTemkOy5a43lCy9yHvrE6yH6V-EGMWnsETjEgonqpaaX8~BSU~IJX-ISfDlKU4LD9L6ZMaCNPUKBEeMzCMiL4Zav4zuaAwAwMP6~2p4xBK4zGCRTQTTne06n-g1LjBMu66lg3W8rnxgrN9NaAFRTWA6ZSxHHg0hGwHHsEX7Biem6l74h1kgWlI8KgGpQlE9y-~hgV9A8thL9izHwYbDqqSW1IdKjzqfGkE-SqLM~dQik9MOPqHWnGPqEfx-Qt5eU1BCVAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cheyenne — The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services told the Legislature on June 24 that a potential federal Job Corps pause would add roughly 80 youth to state caseloads and that the agency could not match Job Corps’ 24/7 residential programs.
“Job Corps provides 24, 7 residential, all of their room and board, as well as, some pretty, I mean, really wonderful training programs,” Department of Workforce Services Director Liz Gagan said as she outlined how the agency would co‑enroll displaced students into state programs.
The department briefed the Labor, Health & Social Services Committee on its statewide workforce centers and grants, unemployment insurance (UI), vocational rehabilitation, and workers’ compensation. Gagan said the agency runs on roughly 16% state general funds, 43% federal funds and 41% “other” funds such as the industrial accident fund and UI‑generated employment support funds.
The agency described workforce training tools that include business training grants ($2,000 per employee or $3,000 for preferred industries), pre‑hire economic development grants, internship grants, apprenticeship readiness and registered apprenticeship grants. Holly McKinney Simone, workforce program administrator, said centers handle walk‑in traffic and caseloads vary by community: “In Cheyenne, we might get a 100 walk in a week; our caseloads vary from, you know, 20 to 50.”
On Job Corps, Gagan said the Department of Labor initially paused Job Corps nationally then a court stayed the pause; Wyoming had about 80 resident students enrolled at the Riverton Job Corps center at the time. Representative Tomi Ottman raised concerns about the roughly 160 Job Corps staff who would be affected; Gagan said the agency would deploy “rapid response” services — unemployment insurance assistance and reemployment support — if layoffs occur.
Unemployment insurance: Gagan walked members through UI reporting mechanics, tax components and trust fund goals. The taxable wage base is $30,900; Wyoming’s average UI tax rate for employers has been about 1% (about $300 per employee annually). The state monitors the UI trust fund target of 3.5%–4% of total wages paid; Gagan said last year Wyoming was near the middle of that range. A separate state UI trust fund balance (not currently receiving employer contributions) is roughly $51 million and its interest supports the workforce development training fund.
Workers’ compensation and solvency: Deputy Director Jason Wolf told the committee the workers’ compensation fund was solvent. “The ending the cash balance of the work comp fund as of May 30 first of this year is, almost, it's $2,800,000,000,” Wolf said, adding reserves (actuarial liabilities) of about $2.2 billion. He highlighted that payouts average roughly $200 million a month and noted recent rate decreases tied to a 2024 change known as the PFAD bill that allowed inclusion of investment income in rate calculations. Wolf said the actuarial picture supports recent rate reductions but cautioned liabilities are significant.
Other program details and funding clarifications included: the workforce development training fund received a first quarterly allocation of about $42,000 under a recent statutory change and transferring UI trust fund investments into the state investment pool could have generated roughly $800,000 per year over a 10‑year window if done earlier. Vocational rehabilitation is about 79% federally funded, and telerelay services (telecommunications relay for hearing‑impaired users) are fully supported by a small surcharge.
Why it matters: Committee members pressed on how the state will handle potential federal changes and on measurable outcomes. Small community workforce centers provide employer services, labor market information and case management tied to federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs; the committee flagged apprenticeship and internship programs as growth areas tied to both state training funds and expected federal priorities.
The Department of Workforce Services committed to follow up with requested reports, including updated training‑fund usage and UI trust fund materials typically produced for the committee’s October meeting. The committee also discussed possible letters to the federal delegation and further oversight if Job Corps disruption persists.
","Department of Workforce Services leaders updated the Legislature on programs from Job Corps contingency planning to apprenticeship grants, unemployment insurance metrics and workers' compensation fund solvency.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wyoming insurance regulator describes small, self‑funded agency, PBM oversight and local market differences

Naturopathic physicians press for licensure in Wyoming; lawmakers request stakeholder working group

Hospitals push for rule clarifying human review when insurers use AI in prior‑authorization denials

Wyoming workforce chiefs warn Job Corps uncertainty, outline training, UI and workers' comp finances