A lot of families who need health insurance don't know about all of the resources available to bridge the gap. There are special enrollment periods for those who experience a major life change like the loss of Medicaid or job-based insurance, but that isn't enough if qualifying individuals are unaware of those opportunities.

Our work at Enroll Wyoming is to identify options and connect people with helpful resources to meet their needs. We are always looking for new ways to inform people about the free assistance our skilled team offers. Things go smoother when experienced help is available, which is why we offer helping hands ... and why we hope to accept some as well.

We tout our work, but word-of-mouth referrals account for a lot of the inquiries we receive. There are some great partnerships in place, and we want to make more.

Let us know if you are willing to share your platform so we can give a presentation, submit an article or brief, or make a post on social media. We are open to invitations to meet one on one or in groups.

In return, we reciprocate the same generosity. Let us know if there is an event for us to promote and attend, topics for us to highlight, flyers to pass around, etc.

Wyoming is a better place due to its friendly, helpful neighbors. By working together, we can get more done.

-- Caleb Michael Smith, Enroll Wyoming marketing director

Thousands of people who have Medicaid health insurance are expected to need new coverage after eligibility reviews begin in April and some families are removed from the program for the first time in years.

Continuous enrollment without annual reviews started in 2020 as part of programs to reduce the impact of the coronavirus on vulnerable families. Medicaid unwinding is the process of resuming reviews, updating the public about the changes, and helping some make the transition to new health coverage.

Update letters were sent out earlier this month. Reviews will be evenly spaced out over a year so that about one-twelfth of enrollees will be evaluated each month.

Reviews will start in April and continue through March 2024. If you know someone who is enrolled in Medicaid, please stress the importance of updating contact information by calling 855-294-2127 or visiting www.wesystem.wyo.gov. Qualified families could lose their benefits if they cannot be reached.

If someone is deemed ineligible to continue in the program and needs help finding insurance, they can get free help from Enroll Wyoming. Getting assistance from a trained Health Insurance Navigator is as easy as dialing 211 or going to our website.

We are asking partners and individuals to help spread the word by sharing informational materials. Find more informational resources like more graphics and sample text for newsletters here.

By Enroll Wyoming Project Director Jason Mincer

Exciting news for new mothers in Wyoming: Starting July 1, 2023, Wyoming Medicaid’s program that covers pregnant women and these same women after birthing a child will change. The length of coverage has been extended from 60 days to 12 months!

This change will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of new mothers, new little ones and the rest of their families. Enroll Wyoming believes strongly that everyone in Wyoming should have access to affordable healthcare and this change addresses an especially vulnerable population.

The Medicaid health coverage for these moms is the same as all others in the Wyoming Medicaid program and covers a wide range of medical services, such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications, not to be overlooked by the birth and any complications that take place as a result or after. To qualify for this program, one must be pregnant or have given birth within the last year, must be a resident of Wyoming, have an income below 154 percent of the federal poverty level, and have no other health insurance coverage. If you or someone you know wants help submitting a Medicaid application, Enroll Wyoming is here to help. Call 211 and ask to speak with an Enroll Wyoming Navigator, or check out our website for more information.

The extension of the program is expected to have positive long-term effects on the health of new mothers and their families. By providing access to health care services for a full year after giving birth, the program can help prevent and address medical issues that could otherwise become more serious over time. An additional expected outcome is decreased infant mortality, especially in Native American families in Wyoming.

Postpartum moms are especially vulnerable to both physical and mental health challenges that last way over two months. Two of the most common include postpartum depression-anxiety and recovery from C-sections. The move to 12 months should really help with these issues and in the case of depression and anxiety, even after the 12 months, these women will qualify for sliding fee scale services at all of Wyoming’s community mental health centers. Additionally, if after that year, the family or mom makes more than 100 percent of the federal poverty level, they will qualify for subsidies for a Marketplace health insurance plan.

In addition to the extended postpartum Medicaid program, Wyoming also offers other programs and resources to support new mothers and their families. Programs to do away with food insecurity, childcare, and housing assistance are all available across the state. To find out more, simply dial 211.

For additional coverage on the postpartum extension, see these articles by WyoFile, Bighorn Basin Radio Network, and WyoToday.

The deadline to file 2022 tax returns or requests for extensions is Tuesday, April 18. It is a little later this year because the traditional date of April 15 falls on a weekend, and Monday, April 17, is when the District of Columbia observes Emancipation Day

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind during tax season.

-- THERE IS NO TAX PENALTY FOR NOT HAVING HEALTH INSURANCE: The previous fine for not having health insurance has been removed. If you didn’t have health coverage during 2022, you do not need an exemption in order to avoid paying a penalty.

-- THE IRS PROMOTES ELECTRONIC FILING OVER PHYSICAL SUBMISSIONS: The Internal Revenue Service encourages taxpayers to file electronically to avoid processing delays. If one is getting a refund, the IRS suggests using direct deposit and tracking its progress here.

-- MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL OF THE FORMS - ESPECIALLY IF YOU RECEIVED MARKETPLACE COVERAGE: In addition to the standard W-2 form provided by employers, those who purchased health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace will need Form 1095-A -- the Health Insurance Marketplace Statement -- which should arrive in the mail. If you haven’t received it, visit HealthCare.gov to download an electronic copy by logging your Marketplace account, selecting your 2022 application, and then selecting “Tax forms.”

For additional information about Form 1095-A and filing your taxes, go here.

-- FREE TAX ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE: While Enroll Wyoming staff cannot help fill out tax forms, we often work with skilled volunteers who do provide this service. You can call 211 or visit the Wyoming 211 website to inquire about the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program or similar programs. Additional options are included in the partner links below.

The Wyoming Department of Insurance issued a public service announcement warning about health care scams.

"Be careful not to give out your personal medical information and health insurance policy information," the release said. "Periodically check your credit report to verify no one has opened lines of credit to obtain medical care and review your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to verify no one has used your medical insurance."

It advised those searching for health insurance to be patient and not make snap decisions.

"Take your time choosing a health care plan. Don’t buy anything from anyone who tries to talk you into making a quick decision," the release said.

Additionally, it warned that it has become aware of a new health care scam involving Medicare cards.

"If someone offers to give you a plastic Medicare card if you share your information, report it to Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-856-6880 or https://wysmp.org or email smpmgr@ wyoming.com," the release said.

Additional agencies can assist those with questions regarding fraud or to report fraud. If you suspect insurance fraud, contact the Wyoming

Department of Insurance at 307-777-7401.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners

also has a fraud reporting system at https://ofrs.naic.org. On the homepage, select "Consumers" and follow the prompt.

In addition, the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office maintains a helpful contact list for consumers.

Enroll Wyoming is trying some new things when it comes to communicating important information.

We are starting a regular livestream on our Facebook page starting at 2 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of every month. Please tune in for the net one on March 23. After the event ends, we will post links to the video on our other social media accounts.

Enroll Wyoming is also working to produce more testimonial and explanation videos.

Our newest example is this YouTube video featuring Navigator Nancy Drummond explaining Medicare basics.

If you have any suggestions for video topics or would be interested in sharing a testimonial about how Enroll Wyoming helped you, please email Caleb Smith.

We ask members of our staff to answer questions to help our partners and supporters learn a little more about our work and the team behind Enroll Wyoming.

Nancy Drummond: I am a Navigator. I help people find solutions for health care issues by meeting them in person, by phone, or by Zoom. We all have to keep up on our certification and the updated information that is available all the time.

Abby Pratt: I am the Navigator of Northwest Wyoming. My region includes Park, Big Horn, Washakie, and Hot Springs counties. I enjoy spending my time tabling at events within these communities and meeting the people and organizations that represent them. Another responsibility of mine is to help those in need of health insurance or general assistance regarding health insurance. Whether it's questions or enrollments, I am happy to be helping at all.

Caleb Smith: I am a marketing director. I spread the news about the free assistance Enroll Wyoming offers and the wonderful work performed by my awesome teammates. I design graphics, write articles, set up interviews, attend outreach events – anything to get the word out. 

Bandage Dan: I’m the mascot. One look at me should remind people of the importance of health insurance.

Nancy Drummond: We all would rather not travel in bad weather, but if we need to, we make sure we have provisions in our vehicles, our cellphones are charged, and we have the ability to pay for a hotel in case we get stuck somewhere.

Abby Pratt: Carry a packable shovel in your car and always check road conditions before traveling. Bring a travel blanket -- or several -- or even a roadside emergency kit that includes jumper cables and dried foods for extra security. And wear layers!

Caleb Smith: Whenever I’m traveling, I make sure my vehicle is loaded with extra supplies like food and water, a sleeping bag, road flares, breakdown tools (battery jumper kit, tire iron, jack, flares, shovel); and stuffed animals. Should the worst occur, I want to be full, warm, and comfortable as I await rescue (or rescue myself). 

Bandage Dan: I’ve got a year-round tip. Make sure everyone is safely buckled up and secured before you begin driving; even if one of the passengers is only a cutout.

-- Navigator Erik Saulness will host office hours at the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce on 55 North Main Street in Buffalo every Friday in November and December between the hours of 9-11 a.m. on March 17.

Erik will also be at the Johnson County Public Health building from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, March 20, on 85 Klondike Drive in Buffalo.

-- Enroll Wyoming will be at the Albany County Public Library on

310 South Eighth Street in Laramie on Thursdays through April 13.

-- Enroll Wyoming will be at the Higher Education Center on 360 Whippoorwill Drive in Baggs on Friday, March 17.

-- Enroll Wyoming is partnering with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and United Way of Albany County to host events at the Laramie Plains Civic Center on 710 East Garfield St. Saturday events will start at 9 a.m. on March 18 and 25 and April 1. Wednesday events will start at 4 p.m. on March 22 and 29 and April 5.

-- Watch the next Enroll Wyoming livestream online at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 23.

-- Enroll Wyoming will be at the Shoshone Frank B. Wise Business Center on 3 Ethete Road in Fort Washakie on Wednesday, March 29.

-- Find assistance with health care questions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at the career fair hosted the Rawlins/Carbon County Workforce Services office.

-- A Sweetwater County School District No. 1 Head Start event will run from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, at Overland School on 3400 Foothill Blvd. in Rock Springs. Enroll Wyoming will participate.

-- Enroll will participate in a Casper Area Chamber of Commerce event from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at the Downtown Best Western on 123 West E Street in Casper.

-- Enroll Wyoming will participate in an AARP event on Friday, April 14, at the Wyoming Theater on 42 North Main Street in Sheridan.

-- Enroll Wyoming will participate in the Trails to Collaboration - 2023 Diabetes & Nutrition Healthcare Conference on April 14-15 at the Hilton Garden Inn on 2229 Grand Ave. in Laramie.

-- Look for the Enroll Wyoming table at the Big Horn Home Builders Association's Home and Garden Show on April 21-23 at the Ramada Plaza at 1809 Sugarland Drive in Sheridan.

As a statewide nonprofit, Enroll Wyoming works with many partners in dozens of communities around the Equality State.

Click here or the graphic below to see flyers for upcoming events, details about important campaigns, community resources, and ways to make our state better and brighter.