Insurers Warn of Rising Health Costs, Coverage Risks for Locals

Leaders from Blue Cross Blue Shield addressed business and community members at a Greater Cheyenne Chamber luncheon reported on November 10 and 11, 2025, laying out policy and market forces that may affect health care costs in Albany County. The presenters identified several drivers of rising premiums and described policy fights and regulatory shifts that could determine how consumers and employers pay for care.

At the top of the list was the financial impact of dispute resolution tied to the No Surprises Act. Insurers say the process of resolving payment disagreements between insurers and providers can create new costs, which may be passed along to plan sponsors and individual purchasers in the form of higher premiums. The meeting also focused on coding intensity and reimbursement trends, meaning changes in how services are billed and paid for that can increase insurer expenses even when actual patient care has not changed.

Speakers identified a set of policy priorities that could reshape price setting in the market. Site neutrality was highlighted as an effort to align payments for the same clinical services regardless of whether they are provided in a hospital outpatient clinic or an independent physician office. Advocates for site neutrality argue it could reduce price variation for identical care. Blue Cross Blue Shield officials also discussed the role of enhanced premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act coverage, which are scheduled to lapse at the end of 2025 under current law.

Officials from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, including Diane Gore and Rebecca D’Amico, explained that subsidies are a major factor in keeping insurers participating in state marketplaces. They warned that without an extension of enhanced tax credits, many consumers could face higher premiums and some could lose coverage if markets become unaffordable. For Albany County that means families who rely on marketplace plans and local employers that offer health benefits may see costs rise or plan options narrow.

The potential changes could ripple through local employer budgets, employee take home pay, and the operations of health care providers. Businesses that already face tight margins might have to adjust benefits or shift costs to workers. Residents who currently receive substantial premium assistance could face larger monthly bills or be pushed into different networks with different provider access.

Local officials and individuals who buy coverage on the marketplace will need to monitor federal and state policy decisions as Congress and regulators consider whether to extend subsidies and how to address dispute resolution cost pressures. In the near term employers and consumers are advised to review plan options, check subsidy eligibility, and consult brokers or plan administrators to understand potential impacts for coverage and out of pocket costs.