Wyoming Medicaid Eligibility 2025: Income Limits, Asset Rules & How to Apply

Wyoming Medicaid, administered by the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH), is a health insurance program funded by federal and state dollars, providing medical and health-related services to low-income individuals, including children, pregnant women, parents, seniors, and disabled individuals.

Known as EqualityCare, this guide outlines the 2025 eligibility criteria, income limits, asset rules, and application process for Wyoming Medicaid, based on federal and WDH guidelines, with a focus on long-term care for seniors (aged 65+), as well as other eligibility groups.

Wyoming Medicaid Programs

Wyoming Medicaid offers coverage for various groups, with specific eligibility requirements based on income, assets, age, and medical needs. The main programs include:

• Institutional / Nursing Home Medicaid: An entitlement program covering nursing home care, hospitals, and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID). Requires a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC).
• Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers: Non-entitlement programs with limited slots, offering services like in-home care, adult day care, and delivered meals to help seniors and disabled individuals avoid institutionalization. Programs like the Community Choices Waiver may have waiting lists.
• Regular Medicaid (Aged, Blind, and Disabled): Covers low-income elderly, blind, or disabled individuals, with less stringent medical requirements than long-term care programs.
• Medicaid for Children and Pregnant Women: Covers children up to age 19 and pregnant women with higher income limits through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP, known as Kid Care CHIP).
• Medicaid for Parents & Caretaker Relatives: Covers parents or caretakers of dependent children under 19 with very low income limits.
• Medicaid for Non-Disabled, Non-Elderly Adults: Wyoming has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, so non-disabled adults without dependent children generally do not qualify, regardless of income.

Eligibility for Wyoming Medicaid

Eligibility varies by program and population. General requirements include:

• Residency: Must be a resident of Wyoming.
• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen, national, permanent resident, or legal alien with qualifying immigration status (e.g., refugees, asylees, or lawful permanent residents with 5+ years in the U.S.).
• Income: Varies by program, often based on a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or Federal Benefit Rate (FBR).
• Assets: Limits apply for long-term care and aged/blind/disabled programs.
• Medical/Functional Need: Long-term care programs require a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC), assessed through limitations in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs).

Categorical Eligibility

Individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or certain means-tested benefits are often categorically eligible for Regular Medicaid, bypassing some income and asset tests.

Income Limits for Wyoming Medicaid

Income limits vary by program and household status. Below are the 2025 income limits for Wyoming, based on federal guidelines and state policies, expressed as monthly amounts unless noted.

Additional Notes on Income Limits

• Seniors/Disabled (Nursing Home/HCBS): Income above $2,901/month must be placed in a Qualified Income Trust (QIT, or Miller Trust) to qualify. Beneficiaries keep a Personal Needs Allowance ($50/month for nursing home, higher for HCBS), Medicare premiums, and possibly a Needs Allowance for a non-applicant spouse.
• Married, One Spouse Applying: Applicant’s income limit is $2,901/month; non-applicant spouse’s income is not counted. The non-applicant may receive a Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA) of up to $3,948/month if their housing and utility costs exceed $793.13/month (effective 7/1/25–6/30/26).
• Children/Kid Care CHIP: Infants and children ages 0–5 qualify up to 154% FPL ($2,008/month for one), ages 6–18 up to 133% FPL ($1,734/month for one), and CHIP up to 209% FPL ($2,791/month for one). Some children above these limits may face premiums under CHIP.
• Pregnant Women: Coverage extends 12 months postpartum, with limits up to 159% FPL ($2,073/month for one). Presumptive eligibility provides temporary prenatal care.
• Parents/Caretakers: Very low income limits (approx. 43% FPL, e.g., $984/month for a family of 3).
• Non-Disabled, Non-Elderly Adults: Wyoming’s lack of ACA expansion means no coverage for adults without dependent children, regardless of income. Those above 100% FPL may qualify for Marketplace subsidies.

2025 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Guidelines for Reference (48 States & D.C.)

Note: Use the FPL Calculator to estimate your household’s FPL percentage.

Asset Rules for Wyoming Medicaid

Asset limits apply primarily to long-term care and aged/blind/disabled programs.

Long-Term Care Medicaid (Nursing Home and HCBS Waivers)

• Single Applicant: $2,000 in countable assets (e.g., bank accounts, stocks, bonds, secondary properties).
• Married, Both Applying: $3,000 total.
• Married, One Applying: $2,000 for the applicant; $152,020 for the non-applicant spouse (Community Spouse Resource Allowance, or CSRA).
• Home Equity Limit: $602,000 for the primary residence (if applicant/spouse resides there or intends to return).

Non-Countable Assets

• Primary home (if applicant/spouse resides there or intends to return)
• One vehicle
• Household goods and personal effects
• Irrevocable burial trusts (up to $1,800)
• Medicaid Compliant Annuities
• Life insurance with a face value of $1,500 or less

Medicaid’s Look-Back Rule

Wyoming enforces a 60-month look-back period for Nursing Home Medicaid and HCBS Waivers, reviewing asset transfers within 5 years of application. Transfers below fair market value (e.g., gifting) may result in a penalty period of ineligibility. No look-back period applies for Regular Medicaid.

Estate Recovery

Wyoming’s Medicaid Estate Recovery Program seeks reimbursement for long-term care costs after a beneficiary’s death, often targeting the home if not protected. Consult a Certified Medicaid Planner to safeguard assets.

Regular Medicaid (Aged, Blind, and Disabled)

• Asset Limit: $2,000 for an individual; $3,000 for a couple.
• No home equity limit or look-back period.

Medicaid for Children, Pregnant Women, and Parents/Caretakers

• No Asset Test: These programs focus solely on income.

Medical/Functional Requirements

For Nursing Home Medicaid and HCBS Waivers, applicants must demonstrate a Nursing Facility Level of Care (NFLOC), assessed through:

• Limitations in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Mobility, bathing, dressing, eating, toileting.
• Limitations in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): Cooking, shopping, managing finances.
• Cognitive or Behavioral Issues: E.g., Alzheimer’s or dementia, though diagnosis alone does not guarantee eligibility.

Regular Medicaid for the aged, blind, or disabled requires proof of disability or blindness per Social Security Administration criteria but not necessarily NFLOC.

Changes Due to Federal Policy

As of 2025, federal policy changes may affect Medicaid, though Wyoming’s non-expansion status amplifies some impacts:

• Work Requirements (Starting January 2027): May apply to parents/caretakers but not to seniors, disabled individuals, pregnant women, or children. Wyoming has explored work requirements in the past.
• Reduced Retroactive Coverage (Starting January 2027): Medicaid will cover only 2 months prior to application (down from 90 days), increasing potential medical debt for late applicants.
• More Frequent Eligibility Checks (Starting December 2026): Beneficiaries must renew eligibility every 6 months, requiring regular documentation to avoid coverage gaps.
• New Out-of-Pocket Costs (Starting October 2028): Non-exempt beneficiaries may face up to $35 per visit for specialist services or procedures, but primary care and preventive services remain free.

Options if Over the Income or Asset Limit

If your income or assets exceed the limit, consider:

• Qualified Income Trust (QIT): For long-term care, income above $2,901/month must be placed in a QIT to qualify.
• Irrevocable Burial Trusts (IBTs): Pre-paid funeral and burial expenses (up to $1,800) are exempt from asset limits.
• Spend Down: Convert countable assets into exempt ones (e.g., home repairs, purchasing a vehicle, or paying off debt).
• Certified Medicaid Planners: Professionals can help with financial strategies to achieve eligibility, such as Medicaid Compliant Annuities or asset restructuring.

Application Process

To apply for Wyoming Medicaid:

• Online: Use the Wyoming Eligibility System (WES) at wesystem.wyo.gov or the federal Marketplace at healthcare.gov. Check eligibility with the Medicaid Eligibility Calculator.
• Phone: Call the Wyoming Medicaid Customer Service Center at 1-855-294-2127 or 1-800-251-1269 for assistance.
• In-Person or Mail: Complete and submit an application to a local WDH Office of Healthcare Financing. Download the application from health.wyo.gov.
• Assistance: Contact the Wyoming Aging Division or a local Area Agency on Aging for program-related questions. Call 1-800-442-2766 for long-term care support.

Required documents include proof of income, assets, residency, citizenship, Social Security number, and medical records (for long-term care or disability programs). An interview may be required.

Processing Time

• Standard applications: Up to 45 days (90 days for disability-based applications).
• Expedited processing: May apply for urgent cases (e.g., pregnant women via presumptive eligibility for outpatient care).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for Medicaid in Wyoming?

Apply online at wesystem.wyo.gov or healthcare.gov, by phone at 1-855-294-2127, in person at a WDH Office, or by mail with a downloaded application from health.wyo.gov.

What are the 2025 Medicaid income limits for Wyoming?

For seniors/disabled (Nursing Home/HCBS), the limit is $2,901/month (single) or $5,802/month (couple). Regular Medicaid (aged, blind, disabled) is $967/month (single) or $1,450/month (couple). Children qualify up to 154% FPL ($2,008/month, ages 0–5) or 133% FPL ($1,734/month, ages 6–18), pregnant women up to 159% FPL ($2,073/month), and parents/caretakers up to ~43% FPL ($984/month for a family of 3).

Are there asset limits for Wyoming Medicaid?

Yes, for long-term care and aged/blind/disabled programs: $2,000 (single), $3,000 (couple, both applying), or $152,020 for a non-applicant spouse. No asset tests for children, pregnant women, or parents/caretakers.

What is the Medicaid look-back period in Wyoming?

A 60-month look-back period applies to Nursing Home Medicaid and HCBS Waivers, penalizing asset transfers below fair market value. No look-back for Regular Medicaid.

Can I qualify for Medicaid if my income or assets are too high?

Yes, through a Qualified Income Trust (QIT) for long-term care, Irrevocable Burial Trusts (IBTs), or spending down assets on exempt items. Consult a Certified Medicaid Planner for assistance.

Why doesn’t Wyoming have Medicaid expansion?

Wyoming has not adopted ACA Medicaid expansion, limiting coverage for non-disabled, non-elderly adults without dependent children. Those above 100% FPL may qualify for Marketplace subsidies.

This guide is based on 2025 federal and Wyoming Department of Health guidelines. Verify details with the Wyoming Medicaid program for accuracy.