Public Input Sought on Wyoming Air Ambulance Medicaid Waiver

LARAMIE -- Residents are invited by the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) to offer their thoughts, ideas and perspectives on a proposed Medicaid waiver plan for Wyoming Air Ambulance service during two upcoming public meetings or online.

Public meetings are planned in Cheyenne on Aug. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Laramie County Library Willow Room, and in Riverton on Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Central Wyoming College in Health Sciences Room 214.

The waiver would expand Wyoming Medicaid to all state residents for the specific purpose of air ambulance transportation. Waiver goals include:

• Eliminate the surprise billing of patients
• Reduce the average cost of air ambulance flights while ensuring a set level of access and quality
• Increase price transparency for patients and employer groups

Under the plan, WDH would competitively bid for a selected network of air ambulance providers, make periodic flat payments (similar to a gym membership) to these contracted providers and then recoup the revenue needed to fund the system from the insurance plans and individuals already paying for transports.

A detailed plan presentation will be available beginning Thursday, Aug. 1 at airambulancewaiver.wyo.gov. Online comments may also be submitted using the same site.

People who might be particularly interested in voicing their opinions include:

• Members of the public who have had an air ambulance flight
• Medical providers who deal with air ambulance
• Hospital leadership and staff
• Air ambulance providers and staff