Wyoming State Flexibility to Stabilize the Market Grant Award

Grant Application Summary

Wyoming Grantee: Wyoming Department of Insurance

Award Date: August 20, 2018

Total Award: $275,558.40

Baseline Award: $274,344.83

Workload Award: $1,213.57

Sections 2702 and 2703 - In addition to reviewing all plans in the individual and small group markets for compliance with applicable State and Federal laws and guidance, including Federal non-discrimination and affordability standards, the Wyoming Department of Insurance will contract with an actuarial and market consultant to assess the impact of proposed Federal regulations regarding Short-Term Limited Duration Plans (STLDs), Association Health Plans (AHPs), and expanded Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs) on Wyoming’s health insurance market, and use the analysis to propose changes to stabilize Wyoming's health insurance market. Wyoming will evaluate the impact of these programs on Wyoming’s uninsured population, individuals enrolled on the Marketplace, and those individuals above 400% of the Federal poverty level (FPL) and thus not financially qualified to receive Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTC) but are purchasing individual and small group plans. The Wyoming Department of Insurance will also conduct a study to ascertain the depth, breadth, and scope of the uninsured population in Wyoming and potential for this population to become enrolled in alternative plans, if the proposed STLDs, AHPs, and expanded MEWAs are allowed. The analysis shall include the impact of these plans on enrollment in the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM), premium increases or decreases on the Marketplace, and the potential for additional insurers in the state.

Section 2707 - The Wyoming Department of Insurance will contract with an actuarial and market consultant to assess the impact of proposed federal regulations regarding Short-Term Limited Duration Plans (STLDs), Association Health Plans (AHPs), and expanded Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs) on Wyoming’s health insurance market. Wyoming will identify potentially discriminatory plan designs in STLDs, AHPs, MEWAs (in comparison to ACA-qualified plans) as well as assess anticipated premium increases or decreases, market shifts, impact on enrollment, and potential market trends stemming from these policy changes.