Wyoming is an appealing retirement destination thanks to its senior-friendly tax policies, low crime rates and affordable cost of living that’s just below the national average. The state’s 98,967 senior citizens have access to skilled care from home and community-based service providers as well as institutional health care facilities. Wyoming has 33 regional medical centers and 37 licensed nursing facilities.
Nursing homes provide 24-hour medical care to 2,224 residents who are aged, disabled or recovering from an injury or illness. These facilities are suitable for residents who don’t need to be in a hospital but require skilled care beyond what an assisted living facility or home health aide can provide. According to data from Genworth Financial’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, nursing homes in Wyoming typically charge $8,258 for a semiprivate room and $8,714 for a private room, which is slightly higher than the national average.
Start planning for the future by reviewing this guide. It features a comparison of long-term care costs and helpful information about financial assistance programs, state regulations and nonprofit resources.
Nursing homes in Wyoming charge $8,258 per month, on average, according to research from Genworth Financial. Rates are slightly higher than the U.S. median of $7,756 and typical of most states in the region. Seniors in Utah save $1,870 per month on long-term care where rates are well below the national average. Nebraska and South Dakota are more affordable by a margin of $1,064-$1,247. Median nursing home prices are just below the national average in Montana at $7,665, which provides a monthly savings of $593. Conversely, seniors in Colorado and Idaho pay $259 and $411 more per month for nursing home care than their counterparts in Wyoming.
The average cost of nursing home care in Wyoming’s largest cities is slightly higher than the state median. However, data is limited since there are only two metropolitan areas and seven micropolitan areas. At $8,971, Laramie is the most expensive option, with rates that are similar to Fort Collins, Colorado. Cheyenne and Casper are slightly more affordable, with average costs of $8,547 and $8,456, respectively. However, rates in these communities are still $198 to $289 higher than the state median. Seniors may also look for out-of-state care. Nursing home prices are on par with the U.S. median of $7,756 in Billings, Montana. Nursing homes in Rock Springs, not far from Utah, are comparatively affordable with a median price of $5,627.
Casper
$8456
Cheyenne
$8547
Laramie
$8971
Rock Springs
$5627
Billings, MT
$7756
Nursing home care, which costs $8,258, is just one option for seniors to consider. Older adults who want to remain in their own home may benefit from homemaker services that cost $5,362 per month, on average. With medical support, these services cost $5,552 per month. Assisted living facilities provide apartment-style accommodations and one-on-one personal care at an average cost of $4,175. Adult day health care programs offer recreational activities in a group setting at a comparatively affordable rate of $3,250, which is almost double the national average.
In-Home Care
$5362
Home Health Care
$5552
Adult Day Care
$3250
Assisted Living Facility
$4175
Nursing Home Care
$8258
In Wyoming, Medicaid covers nursing home care, which may include room and board, daily nursing, medications, therapy and other services to address a resident’s physical, psychological and social needs. At the end of fiscal year 2020, the Wyoming Department of Health reported that 75,360 people had enrolled in Medicaid at some point. The state’s Medicaid enrollment averaged 55,874 members per month during the same year.
Wyoming has the smallest population of any state, so it has just 36 certified nursing facilities. For people who want to remain in their homes even though they require a nursing home level of care, Wyoming Medicaid offers the Community Choices Waiver program, which aims to protect the welfare of Medicaid members while reducing the cost of needed services.
When determining eligibility for Medicaid, the Wyoming Department of Health reviews each applicant’s income and assets. Single applicants have an annual income limit of $30,276 and an asset limit of $2,000. For two-person households, the limit depends on how many people are applying for coverage.
If only one person needs Medicaid nursing home coverage, the income limit is $30,276 per year for the applicant. While the applicant is limited to $2,000 worth of assets, the non-applicant spouse is allowed to have up to $137,400 worth of assets. The higher asset limit for non-applicants is the result of the Spousal Impoverishment Act, which was passed to prevent one spouse from moving into a nursing home and leaving the other spouse living alone with a lack of financial resources. If both spouses need Medicaid coverage, the asset limit increases to $3,000, but the income limit remains at $30,276 per person ($60,552 total).
A public health nurse must also complete a needs assessment to confirm that an applicant requires a nursing home level of care.
2022 Basic Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Wyoming
| Income limits* | Asset limits | |
|---|---|---|
| Single Applicant | $30,276 | $2,000 |
| Two-Person Household (Only One Person Applying) | $30,276 for applicant | $2,000 for applicant $137,400 for non-applicant |
| Two-Person Household (Both People Applying) | $60,552 ($30,276 per person) | $3,000 |
*Per year
Applicants must also meet the following eligibility requirements:
To apply online, visit the Wyoming Healthcare Financing website and click the Apply Now button to access the Medicaid/CHIP Web Portal. Each applicant must provide their full name, contact information and Social Security number to create an account. After opening an account, the applicant should fill out the online form and submit it to the Wyoming Department of Health for processing.
To apply by telephone, call (855) 294-2127. Wyoming residents with hearing loss should dial (855) 329-5204 for TTY/TDD service. For applicants who prefer to fill out paper forms, the Wyoming Department of Health offers English and Spanish versions of the Medicaid application. Download the appropriate form, complete it and mail it to the following address:
WDH-Customer Service Center
3001 E. Pershing Boulevard, Suite 125
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Applicants can also fax their completed forms to (855) 329-5205 or email them to wesapplications@wyo.gov.
Information You Will Need
Before starting the process, each applicant should gather documents to help verify their identity, income and assets. It’s important to gather as much documentation as possible to avoid processing delays. These are just a few of the documents that may be used to support the information provided in a Medicaid application:
The Medicaid application process is complex, but resources are available to help Wyoming residents complete their applications and avoid delays caused by missing documentation. The table below lists some of these resources.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Medicaid Customer Service Center | (855) 294-2127 | The Wyoming Department of Health has trained counselors available to help residents fill out their Medicaid applications and determine how to meet the agency's income, asset and identity verification requirements. |
| Benefits.gov | Online resource | Maintained by the federal government, Benefits.gov gives consumers access to information on a wide range of assistance programs, including Medicaid and Medicare. The site provides an overview of each program and explains how to contact program representatives directly. |
| Wyoming Department of Health, Aging Division - Community Living Section | (307) 777-7995 | The Community Living Section of the state's Aging Division provides information, assistance and other support services to older adults (60+) living in Wyoming. |
Medicare provides limited coverage for short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility following a hospital stay, but seniors must meet a number of specific requirements. This benefit is available to beneficiaries who have been hospitalized for at least three days, excluding the date of discharge, so it’s most valuable for those who are recovering from an injury, illness or surgery.
Once seniors meet the hospitalization requirement, Medicare will pay for up to 100 days of skilled nursing per benefit period. The first 20 days are covered in full. Starting on day 21, beneficiaries must pay a daily coinsurance rate. After day 100, seniors are responsible for the entire cost.
What Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare covers a number of specific services, including:
What Isn’t Covered by Medicare?
Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care that addresses seniors’ day-to-day needs. This includes help with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and using medical equipment.
For more information about Medicare and when it covers Nursing Home Care, read our Guide to Nursing Homes.
Although Medicare covers many services, it doesn’t pay for everything a beneficiary might need. For covered services, there may also be additional out-of-pocket costs, such as copays and coinsurance. Because health care is so important for older adults, it’s helpful to talk to volunteers or paid counselors about the complexities of Medicare. The organizations below provide information and advice to help older adults and their loved ones make good decisions.
| Program | Contact | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Center on Aging | (307) 766-2829 | The Wyoming Center on Aging offers a variety of services to help older adults and their caregivers maintain the highest possible quality of life. Wyoming residents have access to educational materials on long-term care, legal issues for older adults, emergency preparedness and other topics of interest. WYC also operates the Wyoming Aging and Disability Resource Center, which links older adults with the information and services they need to maintain their health and independence. |
| Wyoming Senior Citizens | (800) 856-4398 | Wyoming Senior Citizens is a nonprofit agency dedicated to meeting the needs of older adults living in Wyoming. The organization operates the Senior Medicare Patrol program, which offers counseling and education to help seniors and their caregivers prevent and detect Medicare-related fraud. |
| Medicare.gov | (800) 633-4227 | Operated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare.gov offers helpful information to help Medicare-eligible adults understand their coverage options. The site also provides an overview of Medicare costs to help older adults and their loved ones make long-term financial plans. |
While Medicaid and Medicare are two of the most common programs used to pay for Nursing Home Care, there are other financial assistance options available, depending on your unique situation.
| Name | How To Apply | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Aid and Attendance | Learn more and apply online at va.gov. | Veterans who receive a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit, a monthly cash allowance that veterans receive in addition to their standard pension amount. The benefit is intended for veterans in need of long-term care services and may be used towards paying for skilled nursing care. |
| Reverse Mortgages | Learn more about your options and how to apply at ftc.gov | If you own a home, you may be able to use a reverse mortgage to help pay for nursing care. Reverse mortgages are loans that one can take out against the value of their home, essentially converting some of the home's equity into cash. Reverse mortgage loans do need to be repaid with interest, typically within 12 months of receiving the loan. |
| Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance | Learn more about Long-Term Care Insurance and how to apply for a policy at acl.gov. | Seniors who already have long-term care insurance may be able to use it to pay for skilled nursing care. Most policies cover at least a portion of the cost, but it depends on the specific policy terms. Note that older adults who are already in need of skilled nursing care will not typically be eligible to sign up for a LTC insurance policy. |
In Wyoming, older adults and their loved ones have many options, making the process of applying for coverage or deciding whether to move into a nursing home even more complex. Fortunately, the state has several organizations dedicated to connecting consumers with the information they need to make good decisions regarding their care.
| Resource | Contact | Service |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Aid of Wyoming | (877) 432-9955 | Legal Aid of Wyoming has experienced attorneys available to help older adults with a wide range of civil issues, including estate planning, health care and housing. The organization receives federal funding, so its services are free to low-income residents of the state. LAW also offers free workshops on some of the most common legal challenges faced by Wyoming residents. |
| Wyoming Department of Health, Aging Division | (307) 777-7995 | The Wyoming Department of Health Aging Division operates several programs designed to help seniors improve their quality of life. To ensure residents of long-term care facilities receive high-quality care, the agency is responsible for issuing licenses to nursing homes throughout Wyoming. It also conducts inspections to ensure each facility meets state standards. The Community Facilities section of the agency operates three senior living communities: Veterans' Home of Wyoming, Wyoming Retirement Center and Wyoming Pioneer Home. |
| Wyoming Aging and Disability Resource Center | (800) 442-2766 | The Wyoming Aging and Disability Resource Center exists to support older adults and younger residents with physical and intellectual disabilities. Its website has a search tool to help consumers find information on a variety of topics, from dementia and dental health to insurance and transportation. Wyoming residents can also request referrals to other agencies. |
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Licensing | The Wyoming Department of Health, Aging Division licenses nursing homes that provide nursing and skilled nursing. |
| Staffing | Facilities must maintain sufficient 24-hour nursing staff, including RNs, LPNs and certified nursing assistants, to provide 1.5 hours of daily nursing care or 2.25 hours of daily skilled care to each resident depending on their needs. Nursing homes must employ a full-time director of nursing who is a licensed RN and has adequate experience to make staffing changes and other administrative or departmental decisions. |
| Staff Training | Nursing staff members must have appropriate credentials, including at least 75 hours of training to become a CNA. Facilities must provide in-service education to help all staff members, including housekeeping and food service workers, perform assigned duties. |
| Admission Restrictions | Nursing homes may not admit residents who require rehabilitative care unless these services are offered by the facility. |
| Care Planning | State regulations require nursing homes to secure medical records and physician orders before admitting a resident unless temporary orders are available or a resident requires emergency placement. Each resident's progress must be reviewed at least once every 30 days. |
| Dietary and Nutrition Services | Nursing homes must provide adequate dietetic services to meet residents' nutritional needs. Facilities must employ a registered dietitian or a similarly qualified professional or consultant who can observe the preparation and consumption of community meals. Dietary staff members must oversee the facility's monthly food service program. |
| Specialized Rehabilitative Services | Skilled nursing facilities that accept residents who need specialized rehabilitative care must employ adequate personnel to deliver these services. Providers must create biweekly progress reports, and the resident's rehabilitative care plan should be reevaluated every 30 days by the therapist and attending physician. |
| Medication and Pharmaceutical Services | Nursing homes must provide all medications and biologicals as required by residents. Medications may be ordered in-house or through a community pharmacy. Facilities must employ a licensed pharmacist or consultant to oversee the facility's pharmaceutical services and provide quarterly reports. |
| Activities | Wyoming requires nursing homes to provide ongoing nonmandatory activities that accommodate residents' abilities and interests. Activities must address residents' physical and emotional well-being and include religious events if desired. Nursing homes must provide adequate materials and supplies needed for recreational pursuits. |
| Infection Control | Nursing homes must have written policies and procedures for preventing infections across the facility. These requirements apply to dietary, housekeeping and environmental services. Incidences of infectious diseases affecting residents or employees must be reported to the Wyoming Department of Health as required. |
| Medicaid Coverage | Wyoming Medicaid pays for long-term care provided in a licensed nursing facility or residential setting when beneficiaries meet income and asset limits and medical eligibility criteria. Benefits are available to individuals who earn no more than 300% of the Federal Benefit Rate and use the majority of their income for long-term care. |
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