There are many ways to mark the passage of time. For example, I watch for arrivals and departures.

Lizards have started scampering around the local landscape, greens are sprouting in my backyard, and I'm seeing some truly amazing blooms. We are finally turning the page on seasons in Sweetwater County.

Then there are things that are leaving. I will not miss scraping ice or shoveling show, but I will miss working regularly with Alicia Underwood, who is leaving her role as a Navigator at Enroll Wyoming.

It has been a pleasure to collaborate with her, and I look forward to when our paths cross again.

Looking ahead, it will be exciting to see who steps forward to fill the Navigator position and add to the foundation that Alicia built. More people than ever need help understanding and finding health insurance, and though we are entering into a new period, our mission remains the same. Enroll Wyoming will keep providing information and guidance to those who could use a helping hand.

-- Caleb Michael Smith, Enroll Wyoming marketing director

Wyoming Medicaid is only a few months into the process of reviewing the eligibility of everyone enrolled in the program. Since a majority are still waiting on determinations and re-enrollment, it doesn't hurt to review the fundamental parts of Medicaid unwinding.

Every month through March 2024, about one-twelfth of all enrollees will receive letters explaining that they need to re-enroll or they will lose their benefits in 60 days. It is vital that program participants have up-to-date contact information, especially if they have changed addresses or phone numbers in the past three years.

Review contact details by calling 855-294-2127 or visiting www.wesystem.wyo.gov. Qualified families could lose their benefits if they cannot be reached during reviews.

Medicaid participants are next encouraged to watch for updates through physical or electronic mail. If they have questions about unwinding, re-enrollment, or finding new health insurance if they cannot continue Medicaid, they can get free assistance from Enroll Wyoming. Our Navigators provide assistance at no cost and without the pressure of sales quotas or incentives. We are focused on identifying options so families can make informed decisions.

Many are unaware that losing health coverage can qualify people for special enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace. They can look at quality, affordable plans to see if they meet their needs.

To connect with an Enroll Wyoming Navigator and explore your options, go to enrollwyo.org or dial 211.

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



The national public health emergency for COVID-19 expires at midnight on May 11, though officials are warning in the same breath that this doesn't mean the coronavirus is gone.

There are many numbers to remember at this time.

There have been about 7 million deaths worldwide, including more than 1.1 million in the United States, according to the World Health Organization. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that more than 270 million people have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot and more than 750 million free COVID-19 tests shipped directly to more than 80 million households.

The government said some things that will be changed by the end of the emergency include:

-- Certain Medicare and Medicaid waivers and broad flexibilities for health care providers are no longer necessary and will end. This is why we are in the early stages of unwinding and reviewing Medicaid rolls.

-- Coverage for COVID-19 testing will change, but stockpile and distribution channels will be maintained so that tests remain accessible at no cost in certain community locations. The government will continue to distribute tests through COVIDtests.gov through the end of May. 

-- COVID-19 data reporting and surveillance will change.

We find ourselves in another transition; not an ending. I keep thinking of the metaphor offered by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who has written essays about the United States as if it were a patient.

"And although it is a very good sign that the patient is getting discharged, it doesn’t mean America (or the world) is entirely out of the woods," he said in his May 10 column. "There will still be testing, close monitoring and follow-up appointments – all, hopefully, to prevent readmission."

There are still lessons to learn and apply. We don't know yet the scope of long COVID cases or long-term effects. There are still vulnerable people who have worries about public interaction. And even in the light of a historic world response, there are improvements to be made in processes and pipelines.

As we turn the page, we can remember where we've been, give thanks that we're in a better place, and be honest about the work that remains.

New deadline to submit applications is May 31

Multiple grants are available for organizations, small businesses, and nonprofits to work with Enroll Wyoming to help more people get health insurance.

We previously explained the grant to add a certified application counselor to your staff. That was also the topic of our April livestream.

We are also offering $2,500-$5,000 grants to host informational events about health insurance enrollment.

Learn more about the event grants here. Learn more about the counselor grants here. For more information, contact Lead Navigator Dasa Robertson. All applications are due to Enroll Wyoming by May 31.

Last month we highlighted a scam where Medicaid recipients are being pressured to pay a fee so they can keep their benefits.

Now we're passing on a similar warning from Veterans Affairs and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cautioning against private companies that charge money to help veterans file disability claims.

Watchdogs have become aware of so-called “coaches” or “consultants” seeking fees to assist with VA benefits claims and then illegally claiming large percentages of payouts.

Kaiser Family Foundation Health News noted that more than 1.25 million U.S. veterans have a disability related to their military service, and "they have various ways to file a claim for tax-free monthly disability payments."

The SFC Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics, or PACT, Act was passed last year to expand VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. Under the law, more than 20 medical conditions are now presumed to be connected to military service dating back to the Vietnam era, Gulf War, and post 9/11.

"Unfortunately, there has been an influx of predatory advertisements, which purport to help veterans — often through the guise of 'medical consulting' or 'benefits coaching' — submit their initial claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs for a fee," the joint release from the VA and CFPB said.

However, unauthorized assistance in claim preparation is illegal. Only VA-accredited representatives are permitted to assist veterans with their benefits claims, and VA-accredited representatives are not permitted to charge a fee for their assistance on a veteran’s initial benefits claim.

"We have heard reports that unscrupulous actors have misled some veterans into paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal fees," the release said.

It warned unaccredited individuals and organizations are aggressively soliciting veterans and attempting to coerce them to pay illegal fees — often requesting that veterans sign a contract for a percentage of their retroactive or future benefits in exchange for the preparation of their initial claims.

"Not only are these fees unlawful, but the payment terms can leave veterans with unaffordable bills for extended periods of time," the release said.

To combat scammers, veterans are encouraged to:

-- Seek a VA-accredited attorney, claims agent, or VSO representative. The VA Office of General Counsel maintains a searchable list.

-- Ensure that a VA Form 21-22  or 21-22A, which officially appoints a representative, is on file with VA. This form is how VA knows who is assisting veterans with a claim. If an appointed individual or organization is not authorized, the VA will send notification.

-- Report frauds and scams. Raise the alarm if an individual or organization is misrepresenting themselves and taking advantage of veterans and their families. Read the original release for multiple ways to file a complaint.

Those who are celebrated on Mother's Day can expect calls and cards and flowers and candy. But if they want to look forward to something more -- like more holidays and moments with family -- they should consider scheduling an appointment with their primary care physician. Taking care of your health will help you take care of the other ones in your life.

Happy Mother's Day to all the awesome moms, grandmothers, great-grandmas, mother figures, and more!

Paramedics are typically associated with emergency care, but what happens when they show up for a more casual house call?

Community paramedicine allows paramedics to use their skills outside of emergency settings. The goal is to help patients access care, maintain or improve their health, and reduce their dependence on costly ambulance rides and ER visits.



A program in Campbell County is helping more people connect with primary health care and other needed services. This helps people overcome barriers like long distances, cost, and lack of transportation so they can get needed care.

Read more here.

Enroll Wyoming is launching a new program for Native Americans and is looking for creative help with the branding. We want our materials to resonate with the people we are serving, which is why we're

hoping Wyoming artists will submit ideas for a name, slogan, logo, and mascot.

We think this is a great opportunity to get more people invested in our outreach and showcase the creativity and artistry of local residents. 

Enter for a chance to win a $500 gift card and spread the word about affordable health care. Find more details online.

Alicia Underwood and a platoon of Bandage Dans pause for a photo during staff training in Cheyenne.

As Navigator Alicia Underwood leaves Enroll Wyoming to take another community-focused job, members of our team wanted to give her words of encouragement to remember wherever she goes.

Nancy Drummond: I really learned so much from Alicia about the Native American culture. I knew some things about the culture but learned so much more from Alicia. Just wishing her the best and hope we will continue to help each other learn more. 

Jason Mincer: I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and well-wishes to Alicia Underwood on her transition from her role with Enroll Wyoming. Alicia has been a valuable member of our team and has provided exceptional insight, particularly in her work to assist individuals in Fremont County with their health care coverage.

Alicia's contributions have not gone unnoticed, and her dedication to our organization's mission has been instrumental in advancing our efforts. As she embarks on this new chapter, I wish her the very best in her future endeavors.

Please join me in expressing our gratitude to Alicia for her outstanding work and wishing her success in all her future endeavors.

Dasa Robertson: Alicia, I want to say you have been a great coworker and teammate! Thank you so much for being such an important part of the team! I am so proud of your new endeavor because it is the path that you were hoping for. 

Although I am excited for you, I also feel a bit sad to say goodbye. I am going to miss you as I feel we have shared a special bond. I will never forget the trip to the Arapaho Ranch and the ice buildup on my tires. What a day! I am so thankful for Josh's help so I could get home with ease the next day. 

I do hope that you will continue to educate others about good health care and that Enroll Wyoming is available to assist. Please keep in touch my friend.

Caleb Smith: It has been a pleasure to work with Alicia. Her perspective is greatly valued and has made a difference with how I approach my own outreach efforts. 

I will miss our weekly talks but take comfort in the fact that she's not too far and that we will cross paths again soon.

Angela Thatcher: Alicia has been a wonderful person with whom to work. I loved brainstorming with her in team retreats and hearing about the innovative work she was doing with indigenous groups. As she moves into her new position and the next step of her journey, I wish her all the best luck and joy. I know she will continue to do amazing work.

Alicia, left, stands with her peers from Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, who gathered in Cheyenne in August 2022 for the first Navigator-Assister Conference.

And the final word goes to Alicia: I would like to say, "Thank you," to all of our team members. It's been great working with everyone. I will miss you and our weekly team meetings and just would like to say I enjoyed time spent with the team.

You've all been supportive and helpful especially when I first started working remotely. Working remotely certainly built up my technology skills even more so, and I really value that I was able to acquire those skills. 

It's been great meeting new people both in the professional area and the people who asked me to help them navigate the Marketplace website. It was a great learning experience for me. Take care!

Do you like helping people? Want a rewarding job where you make a positive impact on a one-on-one and community basis?

Enroll Wyoming is looking to hire a full-time health insurance marketplace Navigator to help families and individuals find quality, affordable health coverage in Fremont County. Watch our social media for more details or contact Lead Navigator Dasa Robertson.

-- Enroll Wyoming will be at the Albany County Public Library on 310 South Eighth Street in Laramie on Thursdays.

-- Enroll Wyoming is participating in the health fair hosted by Teton County Community Health at the Teton County Library on 125 Virginian Lane in Jackson on Thursday, May 11.

-- Enroll Wyoming will be among the participants at the eighth annual Community Baby Shower hosted by Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming. The event starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Mercer Family Resource Center on 1701 East K St. in Casper.

-- Enroll Wyoming will be available after the blood draw event hosted by Wyoming Health Fairs that runs from 6:30-9 a.m. Thursday, May 18, at the Niobrara Senior Center on 611 East Sixth St. in Lusk.

-- An Enroll Wyoming Navigator will be at the Cody Home and Garden Show on May 19-20 at the Riley Arena on 1400 Heart Mountain St. in Cody.

-- Enroll Wyoming will be a part of the Wyoming Psychological Association Spring 2023 Conference on May 20-21 at Little America at 2800 West Lincolnway in Cheyenne.

-- There will be an Enroll Wyoming table at the job fair hosted Thursday, May 25, at the Pinedale Library on 155 S. Tyler Avenue.

-- Watch the next Enroll Wyoming livestream online at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 25. We are scheduled to have a guest from Wyoming 211.

-- See the Enroll Wyoming presentation or table at the Wyoming Nonprofit Conference on June 6-7 at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center on 222 S. 22nd St. in Laramie.

-- Enroll Wyoming will be a part of the Wyoming Developmental Disabilities Conference on June 8-9 at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center on 800 North Poplar St. in Casper.

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.