I can still help you get a nationwide PPO in Wyoming. Let's look at how a Laramie contractor starting her first year of self-employment figures out her income when Medicaid expansion isn't available in her state.
Hi, I'm Sam Jaber. I hold health insurance licenses in 36 states, and many people I help earn their living through 1099 contracts. If you're contracting in Wyoming, we can handle everything over the phone.
Picture an instructional designer in Laramie who spent several years working as an employee before deciding to freelance. From her home office near the university, she now develops online courses for Denver and Salt Lake City clients, along with training materials for a handful of local small businesses. Leaving her job also means losing her employer's health insurance. She has one major contract confirmed, two potential clients, and no real certainty about how quiet the slower months might get. Estimating that first year's earnings isn't easy. Many states expanded Medicaid to provide a safety net during low-income years, but Wyoming hasn't.
Albany County has 23 individual medical plans on its 2026 marketplace, offered by two insurance companies. One carrier provides all 11 PPO options, while the other offers all 12 EPOs. Interestingly, the PPO is slightly cheaper at the silver level. For someone age 40, the lowest-priced silver PPO is 2% less than the lowest-priced silver EPO before credits.
I can also help you obtain a nationwide PPO in Wyoming outside the marketplace. This private coverage requires medical underwriting and is designed to work whether you're home in Laramie or visiting a client in Denver.
HealthCare.gov looks at your projected net earnings from self-employment during the year you need insurance, rather than what your previous employer paid you last year. As a new contractor, subtract expenses such as equipment, software, client travel, and your home office from revenue. Premium assistance generally covers incomes from 100% through 400% of the federal poverty level.
Wyoming's lower income threshold deserves special attention. According to KFF, Wyoming hasn't expanded Medicaid. Its figures put the income eligibility limit for parents in a family of three at 43% of the poverty level, with no income-based eligibility for other adults. HealthCare.gov explains the resulting coverage gap: adults earning below 100% of poverty who aren't eligible for Medicaid through another category also cannot receive marketplace savings in states without expansion.
When your reasonable income projection falls within 100% to 400% of the poverty level, HealthCare.gov coverage with a tax credit will generally cost you less. Losing employer insurance may also qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. You can enroll during the 60 days leading up to that loss or within 60 days afterward, so there's no need to wait until your coverage ends.
I'd usually favor Albany County's silver PPO because it actually costs a little less than the silver EPO. The PPO also contributes toward out-of-network services, although your share is higher. With an EPO, those services generally aren't covered unless it's an emergency. I'd consider that EPO if your existing providers participate in its insurer's network.
Next step: Give me your doctor information and an honest projection of your first year's earnings. I'll compare the Albany County EPO and PPO prices after applying your credit.
This is where careful planning beats a rough guess. Use the contracts you reasonably expect to earn from when projecting income, rather than assuming the worst possible year. If that honest projection is below 100% of the poverty level, HealthCare.gov's coverage gap becomes a concern. Before applying, let's review every available route, including the full cost of insurance while your business gets established.
Next step: Before submitting an income estimate, give me a call. We'll review the contracts on your calendar and work out what they mean for your annual earnings.
Once household income exceeds four times the poverty level, Albany County marketplace coverage comes at full price, and Wyoming ranks among the country's most expensive states for those premiums. That's when I'd compare a private nationwide PPO. Medical underwriting determines whether the company approves you, approves you with one specific condition excluded, or rejects the application. Healthy contractors can often pay less than the marketplace's unsubsidized rate. Before you decide, I'll explain exactly what benefits each option provides.
Next step: Once you've got a clearer picture of this year's clients, call me. I'll compare a nationwide PPO quote with the marketplace's full-price options.
Straight answers, no sales pitch.
No. KFF confirms Wyoming hasn't expanded Medicaid. Parents in a three-person household face a 43% poverty-level income limit, and other adults have no eligibility based solely on income.
According to HealthCare.gov, adults with income in that range who have no other Medicaid eligibility can end up in a coverage gap in states without expansion, leaving them without marketplace savings.
The silver PPO costs less. In Albany County, the lowest-priced silver PPO is 2% below the lowest-priced silver EPO.
Yes, provided you meet the health requirements. I'll compare a nationwide PPO quote with Albany County's available plans.
Let me know your county, everyone who needs coverage, when your previous plan expires, and your estimated net income this year. I'll compare Albany County's options with the credit included against a private nationwide PPO.
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