Public Programs

Wyo. Stat. Ann. tit. 35, ch. 25
in effect

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-101 Uninsured child health insurance program.

There is created a child health insurance program for families with a gross monthly income at or below one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of the federal poverty level, until July 1, 2005, and thereafter, for families with a gross monthly income at or below two hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty level.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-102 Definitions.

(a) As used in this act: (i) "Child" means a person who has not yet reached the nineteenth anniversary of his birth; (ii) "Department" means the department of health; (iii) "Federal poverty level" means the federal poverty guideline updated annually in the federal register by the United States department of health and human services under the authority of section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981; (iv) "Private health insurance" means an individual insurance policy or contract for the purpose of paying for or reimbursing the cost of dental, hospital and medical care; (v) "State plan" means the state plan required by 42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq. to be submitted by the state to the United States secretary of health and human services to receive federal funding for a child health insurance program; (vi) "This act" means W.S. 35-25-101 through 35-25-108.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-103 Child health insurance program eligibility; services by department or private health insurance.

(a) Subject to approval of the state plan by the United States secretary of health and human services, and subject to available state and federal funding the department shall provide a health insurance plan for an eligible child whose monthly gross family income is not more than two hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty level. A child who is determined eligible to receive benefits under this section shall remain eligible for twelve (12) months as long as the child resides in the state of Wyoming and has not yet attained nineteen (19) years of age. A child's eligibility to receive benefits under this act shall be redetermined on an annual basis. A simplified application process, which includes minimum eligibility requirements, shall be provided throughout the state at various public and private establishments approved by the department of health. To be determined eligible to receive benefits under this section, a child shall not be eligible under the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act, shall not have been covered under another health insurance plan for a minimum of one (1) month prior to application for coverage under this act or, upon birth, the child would not otherwise be covered by a public or private health insurance plan. Eligibility under this section shall be determined by the department of health or its designee. (b) The child health insurance plan required by subsection (a) of this section shall be provided either through a private health insurance company licensed by the insurance commissioner to write insurance in Wyoming or by the department of health's division responsible for administering the Medicaid program. The department's division shall be used to provide the insurance plan only if it can provide the plan at a lower cost than can a qualified private insurance company or if use of the division will otherwise accrue more benefits to the state than will use of a private insurance company. If the child health insurance plan required by subsection (a) of this section is provided through the department's division, the department shall competitively procure the contract at least once every five (5) years. In awarding the contract the department shall compare the cost of operating the program through a private insurance company to a forecasted state administered alternative. (c) A medical provider who accepts payment for services provided under this section shall not charge or attempt to collect payments in excess of a rate schedule established by the department or in excess of rates negotiated with a private health insurance company who is offering child health insurance pursuant to this act.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-104 Program benefits.

(a) A child eligible for services under this act shall receive benefits developed by the department as allowed by 42 U.S.C. 1397cc et seq. and that include: (i) Cost sharing factors, not to exceed the maximum allowable under 42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.; (ii) Exclusions and limitations; (iii) Inpatient and outpatient hospital services; (iv) Physician services; (v) Laboratory and x-ray services; (vi) Well-baby and well-child care including age appropriate immunizations; (vii) Prescription drug coverage; (viii) Vision coverage; (ix) Dental coverage including preventive and basic services; and (x) Provision of all services through managed care pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1397cc(f)(3). This paragraph shall be effective only if the child insurance program under this act is provided through a private insurance company licensed by the insurance commissioner to write insurance in Wyoming.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-106 Private health insurance plan request for proposals.

(a) If the child health insurance plan required by W.S. 35-25-103 is provided through a private health insurance company, the department shall issue a request for proposals from qualified insurers not less than once every five (5) years, in addition to the requirements set forth in W.S. 35-25-103(b). The department shall award the contract for this service to an insurer based on price, the provision of required services and other factors listed in the department's request for proposals. A contract for health insurance awarded under this section shall contain provisions with respect to exclusions from coverage for preexisting conditions that are no more restrictive than those described in 42 U.S.C. 1397bb(b)(1)(B)(ii). The contract shall include provisions for changes in terms and conditions and for rebidding in case major changes are needed. The department shall have the right to rebid the contract after two (2) years. (b) Biennially, the department may allow a contractor providing child health insurance pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to adjust the price charged for the coverage, but if the price is increased, the department may, after public notice, rebid the contract or the department may administer the program pursuant to W.S. 35-25-103. (c) Repealed by Laws 2020, ch. 10, § 2.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-107 Program expenditures; monitoring; recommendations; required action to limit expenditures to budget available.

(a) The department shall project monthly expenditures under this act each month through the end of the biennium based upon the level of activity for the previous months and the trend in expenditures compared to previous expenditures. If the projections indicate that expenditures may exceed the federal and state funds available under this act, the department, may, by rule and regulation and subject to availability of funds, limit participation in the program under this section as follows: (i) The department may impose a partial or total moratorium on new enrollments in the programs under this act until funds are available to meet the needs of new enrollees; (ii) For current recipients of benefits under this act, priority for the continuation of funding shall be given to those families with the lowest incomes. (b) In the last six (6) months of the biennium, the department shall include a projection of expenditures for the next biennium based on the spending for the current biennium unless the legislature provides for a different level of funding for the next biennium. (c) The funding for the child health insurance program shall be deemed to be included within the division of health care financing line item within the department of health budget unless a separate line item is provided in the budget bill. General fund expenditures for the child health program shall not exceed the amount needed to match federal funds without explicit authorization enacted in the budget bill.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-108 Implementation; duties; restrictions on the department of health.

(a) The department shall: (i) Administer this act within the fiscal constraints of 42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq. and subsequent federal enactments governing this program and the state budget as enacted by the legislature; (ii) Develop a state plan for child health insurance to qualified recipients under this act and otherwise provide for the effective administration of this act; (iii) Maintain records on the administration of this act and report to the federal government as required by federal law and regulation; (iv) Adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations on the administration of this act following notice and public hearing in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act; (v) Establish indicators for measuring access, process, quality and outcomes effectiveness in improving children's health. (b) The department shall not implement: (i) The program under this act until a state plan has been approved by the United States secretary of health and human services or, for any modified plan, until the modified plan has been approved if the modifications require the approval of the United States secretary of health and human services; and (ii) Any state plan that does not conform to the requirements of this act.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-202 Definitions.

(a) As used in this act: (i) "CDC" means the federal center for disease prevention and control; (ii) "County cancer resource coordinator program" means a program undertaken through a private organization, county hospital, hospital district hospital or city or county health department which provides local level education, outreach, patient navigation services, community planning and data collection in order to lessen the impact of cancer on Wyoming people; (iii) "Department" means the department of health; (iv) "Evidence based" means relying on scientifically valid evidence. Scientifically valid evidence relies on studies and experiments including systematic reviews of multiple randomized controlled trials or epidemiological studies, one (1) or more randomized controlled trials, one (1) or more epidemiological studies and the recommendations of nationally and internationally recognized groups of experts in the field; (v) "Medicaid" means the joint federal and state program of health care financing for the poor authorized by Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act and title 42 of the Wyoming statutes; (vi) "Statewide comprehensive cancer control steering committee" means a committee whose mission is defined by the 2006-2010 Wyoming cancer control plan and which provides advice and guidance to the Wyoming comprehensive cancer control program. The committee is a private entity whose members include government employees; (vii) "This act" means W.S. 35-25-201 through 35-25-206.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-203 Cancer control plan and program.

(a) The department shall develop a comprehensive cancer control plan. The department shall begin with the plan and recommendations in the Wyoming cancer control plan published in October 2005 by the Wyoming comprehensive cancer control consortium. The goals shall be to reduce the numbers of people affected by cancer with improved prevention and education and, for those individuals who are diagnosed with cancer, the goal shall be to provide diagnostic, therapeutic and palliative interventions that are evidence based, scientifically proven best of care. The comprehensive cancer control plan may include: (i) Cancer prevention and education for both the public, health care professionals and institutions; (ii) Evidence based early detection, screening, diagnosis and treatment; (iii) Research and data collection; (iv) Palliative care including pain management and other steps to improve the quality of life of probably terminal cancer patients; (v) Rehabilitation of cancer victims; and (vi) Programs to assist cancer survivors in returning to normal life. (b) In financing and implementing the program established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section the department shall consider the use of the Medicaid program. This section does not constitute authorization to expand the services and eligibilities of the Medicaid program which requires specific legislative authorization. The department may recommend such authorization where appropriate. (c) The department may contract with one (1) or more third parties to develop and implement the plans authorized by this section. Any contract awarded under this section shall be awarded on the basis of competitive bids and shall include specific requirements relating to outcome based evaluation. (d) Subject to the restriction of subsection (b) of this section, the department may accept state, federal, local and nongovernmental funds for developing and implementing the plans established pursuant to this section. (e) The department may solicit proposals for grants under this section by publication of a request for proposals. Grant recipients under this section may include local governments, private nonprofit organizations, schools and other organizations as appropriate. Any grants to organizations not political subdivisions of the state of Wyoming or under the absolute control of the state shall be subject to any restriction necessary to comply with Article 16, Section 6 of the Wyoming Constitution. Any request for proposals used during the competitive grant process shall include specific requirements relating to outcome based evaluation of the grant recipient's performance. (f) The department shall collaborate and coordinate with public and private entities including state and local governments and the CDC to assure maximum effective use of resources, people and money. The department shall take advice, as appropriate, from the statewide comprehensive cancer control steering committee. (g) Considering funds available and the purposes for which those funds are made available, the department shall give emphasis to the following cancer control and prevention programs: (i) The county cancer resource coordinator program. This program shall be a pilot program in two (2) sites, one (1) urban and one (1) rural. Each program shall cover at least one (1) county and may cover several counties. The program may be expanded to additional sites if sufficient funds become available; (ii) Public education relating to cancer prevention and awareness for all cancers; (iii) Early detection of cancer including those cancers identified in the state cancer control plan and specifically including the Wyoming colorectal cancer early detection and prevention program; (iv) Programs and public education which promote the reduction of risk factors to reduce cancer and other chronic diseases within the state; and (v) Programs and public education which enhance treatment and quality of care of those impacted by cancer within the state. (h) The department may propose cancer control as a specific line item in its biennial budget. (j) The department shall, in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act, promulgate rules and regulations as appropriate to implement this act. (k) The department shall report on its activities, program outcomes, conclusions and goals for the next two (2) years under this act to the joint labor, health and social services interim committee. The report shall be due on October 1 of every odd numbered year.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-204 Wyoming colorectal cancer early detection and prevention program.

(a) Subject to the availability of appropriations, the department shall undertake a colorectal cancer screening and prevention program for those who qualify as specified in subsection (c) of this section. (b) Initially the screening and prevention program funded under this program shall consist of colonoscopies which shall consist of both the examination of the colon and rectum and the removal and pathological examination of polyps in accordance with the normal standards of care for colonoscopies. After July 1, 2008, the department may, by rule and regulation, authorize other forms of screening to participate in the program provided these other forms of screening are evidence based and are shown by the evidence to be as effective or as cost effective as traditional colonoscopies. (c) Starting July 1, 2007 Wyoming residents with incomes at or below two hundred and fifty percent (250%) of the federal poverty level shall be eligible to participate in this program and this shall remain the standard if the biennial budget bill does not establish a different standard and unless a different standard is established pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. (d) Eligibility for the program set forth in this section shall be limited to individuals who are Wyoming residents and have been so for at least one (1) year immediately prior to screening. The eligibility shall be for one (1) colonoscopy every ten (10) years, counting any done before the effective date of this act or before the individual became a Wyoming resident. However, the department on a case-by-case basis may authorize follow-up screening when medically indicated based on national evidence based guidelines. Eligibility shall be restricted to individuals who meet appropriate age requirements in accordance with national evidence based recommendations and are uninsured or underinsured. For persons who are underinsured, the program shall only pay expenses not covered by insurance. In the event that analysis shows spending in the program will exceed the budget available, the department shall institute a waiting list. (e) The department shall provide reimbursement for an eligible person's colonoscopy at the rate paid under the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act for colonoscopies, including polyp removal. The person receiving services under this subsection shall pay all other costs of the colonoscopy. When the funds appropriated for this program are expended, the department shall cease payments under this section. (f) The department shall develop an internet based application process for determining individual eligibility. The result of a successful application may be a voucher that the individual may present to a provider the department has contracted with or may be an online statement of eligibility that the providers can access or both. The department may use city or county health departments, other public health offices, providers, advocacy groups and any other appropriate governmental or private entities to assist individuals in completing the application process.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-205 Breast and cervical cancer programs.

(a) The breast and cervical cancer program within the department is authorized to obtain private and federal grant funds and to seek appropriations for: (i) Education, outreach and breast and cervical cancer screenings for those unable to afford them; (ii) Continuation of the existing pilot outreach program for the medically underserved population in the Big Horn Basin and expansion of that program to other areas of the state; and (iii) Implementation of the program known as the native sisters program for outreach to members of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, provided that any grants or contracts entered into pursuant to this paragraph shall contain any restrictions necessary to comply with Article 16, Section 6 of the Wyoming Constitution.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-206 Pain management.

(a) The department may establish an acute and chronic pain management advisory committee consisting of the following members: (i) One (1) employee of the department appointed by the director who will serve as the chairman of the committee; (ii) One (1) member appointed by the board of medicine; (iii) One (1) member appointed by the board of nursing; (iv) One (1) member appointed by the board of pharmacy; and (v) One (1) member of the public who has experience in pain management appointed by the director. (b) The members of the pain management advisory committee shall serve at the pleasure of the director of the department and shall meet at least two (2) times each year. The travel expenses of the members of the pain management committee as described in subsection (a) of this section shall be paid by their respective departments or boards. The department shall pay the per diem and travel expenses of the member of the public appointed pursuant to paragraph (v) of subsection (a) of this section and shall provide administrative support for the operation of the committee. (c) The committee shall perform the following functions: (i) Research issues associated with acute and chronic pain management including those issues assigned to the committee by the director of the department; (ii) Offer recommendations to the director of the department, other state agencies and licensing boards of health care professionals regarding policies and programs that would manage acute and chronic pain more effectively or efficiently; and (iii) Make recommendations regarding legislation to the director of the department.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-301 Diabetes care planning; reports to the legislature.

(a) The department of health shall develop a plan to reduce the incidence of diabetes in Wyoming, improve diabetes care, and control complications associated with diabetes. The plan shall include identification of goals and benchmarks. The department shall submit the plan to the joint labor, health and social services interim committee by October 1, 2014. (b) The department of health shall track for statistical and trending analysis the following: (i) The prevalence of all types of diabetes in the state and the financial impact that diabetes is having on the state. Items included in this assessment shall include the number of individuals with diabetes, the number of individuals with diabetes and family members impacted by prevention and diabetes control programs implemented by the department, the financial toll or impact diabetes and its complications place on the Medicaid program and the financial toll or impact diabetes and its complications place on the Medicaid program in comparison to other chronic diseases and conditions; (ii) An assessment of the benefits of implemented programs and activities aimed at controlling diabetes and preventing the disease; (iii) A description of the level of coordination existing between the department, other agencies and Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes on activities, programmatic activities and messaging on managing, treating or preventing all forms of diabetes and its complications; (iv) Detailed action plans for battling diabetes with a range of actionable items for consideration by the legislature. The plans shall identify proposed action steps to reduce the impact of diabetes, prediabetes and related diabetes complications. The plan shall also identify expected outcomes of the action steps proposed in the following biennium while also establishing benchmarks for controlling and preventing relevant forms of diabetes; and (v) The impact of gestational diabetes on the Medicaid population, including an analysis of cost implications, the number of pregnant women screened and diagnosed and patient outcome measures and recommended strategies to reduce the impact of the condition and to improve outcomes for this population; (vi) The development of a detailed budget blueprint identifying needs, costs and resources required to implement the plan developed pursuant to this section. The blueprint shall include a budget range for all options presented in the plan for consideration by the legislature.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-401 Female genital mutilation education program.

(a) The department of health, the attorney general's office division of victim services or the department of health and attorney general's office division of victim services together shall develop a community education program regarding female genital mutilation. The program shall include: (i) Education, prevention and outreach materials regarding the health risks and emotional trauma inflicted by the practice of female genital mutilation; (ii) Ways to develop and disseminate information regarding recognizing the risk factors associated with female genital mutilation; (iii) Training materials for law enforcement, teachers and others who are mandated reporters under W.S. 14-3-205(a), encompassing: (A) Risk factors associated with female genital mutilation; (B) Signs that an individual may be a victim of female genital mutilation; (C) Best practices for responses to victims of female genital mutilation; and (D) The criminal penalties associated with the facilitation or commission of female genital mutilation. (b) Law enforcement, teachers and others who are mandated reporters under W.S. 14-3-205(a) shall incorporate the training under this section into their professional development programs and shall provide the training to employees and volunteers. To assist state and local entities in disseminating the education program under this section, the department of health, the attorney general's office division of victim services or the department of health and attorney general's office division of victim services together shall provide necessary training programs and technical assistance as requested.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-501 Definitions.

(a) As used in this article: (i) "988" or "988 system" means the universal telephone number for the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system within the United States, operating through the national suicide prevention lifeline or its successor, maintained by the assistant secretary for mental health and substance abuse under 42 U.S.C. § 290bb-36c; (ii) "Administrator" means the administrator of the 988 system; (iii) "Contact" means a communication with the 988 system including a call, text or chat; (iv) "Crisis center" or "crisis hotline center" means a center designated by the state to respond to statewide or regional 988 contacts; (v) "Crisis facility" means a behavioral health center as defined by W.S. 35-1-613(a)(xvi), other provider under W.S. 35-1-611 through 35-1-627 or an equivalently staffed and equipped student health service; (vi) "Department" means the department of health; (vii) "Mobile crisis team" means a team providing services outside of a hospital or facility setting: (A) That includes not less than one (1) behavioral health care professional who is capable of conducting an assessment of a person having a behavioral health crisis, in accordance with the professional’s permitted scope of practice under state law, and other professionals or paraprofessionals with appropriate expertise in behavioral health or mental health crisis response, including nurses, social workers, peer support specialists and others; (B) Whose members are trained in trauma-informed care, de-escalation strategies and harm reduction; (C) That is able to respond in a timely manner and, where appropriate, provide screening, assessment, health services, stabilization, de-escalation and referrals to health, social and other services and supports as needed; (D) That maintains relationships with relevant community partners, including medical and behavioral health providers, primary care providers, community health centers and crisis centers; and (E) That maintains the privacy and confidentiality of patient information consistent with federal and state requirements.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-502 Crisis center designation; powers and duties of the department; rulemaking; report.

(a) Not later than July 1, 2023, the department shall designate one (1) or more crisis centers to provide crisis intervention services and crisis care coordination to persons accessing the 988 system from anywhere in Wyoming, twenty-four (24) hours per day and seven (7) days per week. (b) A crisis center designated under this section shall: (i) Have an agreement with the national suicide prevention lifeline or its successor for participation within the 988 system; (ii) Meet all requirements and best practices guidelines of the national suicide prevention lifeline; (iii) Provide data and reports and participate in evaluations and quality improvement activities as required by the administrator; (iv) Have authority to deploy crisis services, including mobile crisis teams and coordinate access to crisis services or other local resources as appropriate, consistent with guidelines or best practices established by the national suicide prevention lifeline; (v) Meet requirements established by the national suicide prevention lifeline for serving at-risk and specialized populations identified by the substance abuse and mental health services including those with co-occurring substance use by providing linguistically and culturally competent care including training and policies for transferring a 988 contact to an appropriate specialized center or subnetwork within the national suicide prevention lifeline network; (vi) Provide follow-up services to persons accessing the 988 system consistent with policies and guidelines of the national suicide prevention lifeline. (c) The department shall: (i) Implement and provide oversight of the 988 system as provided in this article; (ii) Promulgate rules to allow appropriate information sharing between and across crisis and emergency response systems for the purpose of real-time crisis care coordination including deployment of linked crisis services specific to the crisis response; (iii) Coordinate active collaborations, including facilitating formal agreements and establishing appropriate information sharing procedures, between any crisis center designated under this section and appropriate community partners including mental health and substance abuse disorder treatment providers, primary care providers, community mental health centers, community behavioral health centers, mobile crisis teams, hospitals, inpatient psychiatric facilities and crisis facilities; (iv) In consultation with the national suicide prevention lifeline, veteran's crisis line and other networks approved by the substance abuse and mental health services administration, ensure consistent public messaging about the 988 system; (v) Provide an annual report on the usage of and services provided by the 988 system to the joint labor, health and social services interim committee and the substance abuse and mental health services administration; (vi) Review its practices under this article not less than every four (4) years to ensure that the services provided are and remain best evidence-based practices for suicide prevention.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-503 Mobile crisis teams.

(a) The department may provide onsite response services to address 988 system contact through state or locally funded mobile crisis teams. A mobile crisis team under this section shall: (i) Be designed in partnership with community members; (ii) To the extent practical, be staffed by personnel that reflect the demographics of the community to be served; (iii) Collect any data required by the substance abuse and mental health services administration and consistent with any requirements of the department.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-504 Payment for crisis services.

(a) The department may provide payment for the provision of crisis services of a contact to the 988 system if: (i) The person is not insured or the service is not covered by the person's health coverage; and (ii) The service is not covered by another entity including municipal or county programs or funding. (b) The department may explore options for appropriate coding of and payment for crisis services through the Medicaid program.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-505 Advisory body.

The governor shall create an advisory body or designate an existing advisory body to provide guidance to the department, gather feedback and make recommendations regarding the planning and implementation of the 988 system under this article. The advisory body may include representatives of a designated crisis center, 911 call center, law enforcement, hospital emergency department, individuals or family members of individuals with lived experience with suicide prevention or behavioral health crisis service usage and behavioral health crisis service providers and may include members of the judicial branch appointed by the chief justice of the supreme court.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-506 988 system trust fund; reserve account spending policy.

(a) The 988 system trust fund account is created. The trust account shall consist of those funds designated to the account by law and all monies collected from federal grants and other appropriations, contributions, grants, gifts, bequests and donations to the trust fund account. The trust fund account is specifically empowered to accept grants, gifts, transfers, bequests and donations. Funds deposited within the trust fund account are intended to be inviolate and constitute a permanent and perpetual trust fund which shall be invested by the state treasurer as authorized by law and in a manner to obtain the highest return possible consistent with preservation of the trust account corpus. (b) During each fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, the earnings from the 988 system trust fund account are appropriated to the department for expenditure as provided in subsection (d) of this section in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the previous five (5) year average market value of the 988 system trust fund account, calculated from the first day of the fiscal year. For purposes of making the calculation under this subsection, until the 988 system trust fund account has existed for five (5) years, the average market value of the trust fund shall be the average market value during the years that the trust fund has existed. The calculation required by this subsection shall constitute the spending policy for the 988 system trust fund account. (c) Earnings from the 988 system trust fund account in excess of the spending policy amount established by subsection (b) of this section in any fiscal year shall be deposited by the state treasurer to the 988 system trust fund reserve account, which is hereby created. Except for monies appropriated to the department and monies deposited back to the 988 system trust fund pursuant to this subsection, funds deposited in the reserve account are intended to be inviolate and constitute a permanent and perpetual trust fund which shall be invested by the state treasurer as authorized by law. Interest and other earnings on funds within the reserve account shall be credited to the reserve account. Beginning July 1, 2024 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter, the state treasurer shall transfer unobligated funds from the reserve account to the 988 system trust fund account as necessary to ensure that an amount equal to the spending policy amount established in subsection (b) of this section is available to the department, pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, for expenditure during the fiscal year. As soon as possible after the end of each fiscal year, revenues in this account in excess of four hundred twenty percent (420%) of the spending policy amount in subsection (b) of this section shall be credited to the 988 system trust fund account. (d) Funds available to the department shall be prioritized to the extent practicable to first fund those services representing the best evidence-based practices for the prevention of suicide, which may include the following: (i) Creating and maintaining a statewide 988 system pursuant to this article and in accordance with the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 and the federal communication commission's rules adopted July 16, 2020 and in accordance with national guidelines for crisis care; (ii) Supporting or enhancing the 988 system including providing for state designated crisis centers as provided in W.S. 35-25-502, providing for mobile crisis teams as provided in W.S. 35-25-503 and providing payment for crisis services as provided in W.S. 35-25-504; (iii) Taking other actions necessary related to the administration of the 988 system as provided by this article; (iv) Providing other goods or services, including health care services, that do not infringe on fundamental individual liberties and that, according to best evidence-based practices, are likely to lead to the prevention of suicide.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-507 Immunity for telecommunications providers.

(a) A telecommunications provider shall not be liable to any person for any damages caused by any act or omission relating to the origination, transmission or termination of a contact with the 988 system unless the act or omission constitutes willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence. (b) As used in this section, "telecommunications provider" means any person that provides commercial landline telephone service, mobile telephone service or internet protocol enabled voice service and includes any agent or employee of the service provider.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-508 Confidentiality of information.

The information obtained through the 988 system shall be considered a public record under W.S. 16-4-201(a)(v) and access to the information may be denied according to law.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-602 Definitions.

(a) As used in this article: (i) "Department" means the department of health; (ii) "Eligible adult" means a Wyoming resident not less than eighteen (18) years of age who has been diagnosed by a physician or audiologist with a profound hearing impairment that requires hearing aids and who has a monthly modified adjusted gross family income at or below two hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty level; (iii) "Federal poverty level" means the federal poverty guideline updated annually in the federal register by the United States department of health and human services under the authority of section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981; (iv) "Hearing aid" means as defined by W.S. 33-35-102(a)(ii).

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-603 Program eligibility; benefits.

(a) Subject to available state funding, the department shall provide hearing aids for eligible adults. Eligibility under this section shall be determined by the department or its designee. To be determined eligible to receive hearing aids under this section, a person shall not be eligible to receive hearing aids through private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or any other available third-party payor. Recipients shall not receive more than one (1) set of hearing aids under this article in any five (5) year period. (b) An adult eligible for services under this article shall receive: (i) Up to one (1) hearing aid per ear at a cost of not more than the rate paid for hearing aids under the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act and including hearing aid insurance for loss or damage; (ii) A hearing aid fitting at a cost of not more than the rate paid under the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act; and (iii) An initial set of ear molds at a cost of not more than the rate paid under the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-701 Short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Wyoming Rural Health Transformation Sustainability, Accountability and Fiscal Protection Act."

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-702 Definitions.

(a) As used in this article: (i) "Advisory committee" means the Wyoming rural health transformation advisory committee created in W.S. 35-25-703; (ii) "Annual required distribution" means: (A) Beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2036, the greater of: (I) The total program income, as defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.1, earned during the previous fiscal year that is required to be expended under federal statutes, federal regulations or the terms and conditions of the Wyoming rural health transformation plan; or (II) Four percent (4%) of the cumulative total of funds deposited into the perpetuity fund since inception, as calculated on the first day of each fiscal year. (B) Beginning July 1, 2036 and each fiscal year thereafter, four percent (4%) of the previous five (5) year average market value of the perpetuity fund, as calculated on the first day of each fiscal year. (iii) "Department" means the department of health; (iv) "Perpetuity fund" means the Wyoming rural health transformation perpetuity fund created in W.S. 35-25-704; (v) "Purpose-dedicated share" means a discrete fractional interest of the annual required distribution allocated to a specific allowable perpetuity fund expenditure authorized in W.S. 35-25-706; (vi) "Rural health transformation funds" means federal funds awarded to the state of Wyoming under the federal rural health transformation program established by section 71401 of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, P.L. 119-21; (vii) "Wyoming rural health transformation plan" means the rural health transformation program application submitted to and approved by the federal government pursuant to section 71401 of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, P.L. 119-21, and shall include any terms and conditions specified in any associated notice of award, cooperative agreement or similar federal instrument governing the receipt or use of funds, and any amendments thereto; (viii) "Wyoming rural health transformation program" means the program established in W.S. 35-25-705.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-703 Wyoming rural health transformation advisory committee; legislative liaisons.

(a) There is created the Wyoming rural health transformation advisory committee. The advisory committee shall be composed of nine (9) voting members, each of whom shall serve for a term of four (4) years. The governor shall make appointments and fill any vacancies for unexpired terms. Members are eligible for reappointment. The governor may remove any member as provided in W.S. 9-1-202. (b) The director of the department or the director's designee and the director of the state budget department or the director's designee shall serve as ex officio members of the advisory committee, having the right to speak but not to vote. (c) One (1) senator appointed by the president of the senate and one (1) representative appointed by the speaker of the house shall serve as nonvoting legislative liaisons to the advisory committee. (d) The advisory committee shall select one (1) of its voting members to serve as chairman. (e) The advisory committee shall meet not less than two (2) times per year. (f) Voting members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in the manner and amounts provided by law for state employees. Legislative liaisons shall be paid salary, per diem and mileage as provided in W.S. 28-5-101 when attending meetings of the advisory council. (g) The advisory committee shall review the operations of the perpetuity fund and provide formal written recommendations to the department regarding the annual required distribution and allowable perpetuity fund expenditures. The department shall review any recommendations from the advisory committee and provide a written response. (h) The advisory committee shall review and approve each grant, award or expenditure of rural health transformation funds in excess of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00), excluding deposits into the perpetuity fund.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-704 Wyoming rural health transformation perpetuity fund; investment; distributions.

(a) There is created the Wyoming rural health transformation perpetuity fund. The perpetuity fund shall consist of monies designated to the fund by law and other contributions, grants, gifts, bequests and donations made to the fund. (b) The state treasurer, or the treasurer's designee, who shall be registered under the Investment Advisor's Act of 1940, as amended, if required to be registered by the terms of that act, as amended, shall invest the unobligated, unencumbered balance of the Wyoming rural health transformation perpetuity fund as authorized by law. Investments of the perpetuity fund shall be in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, if effective, and W.S. 9-4-715(a) and (c) through (e) and 9-4-716. All investment earnings shall be deposited to the perpetuity fund. In adopting investment policy statements for the perpetuity fund, the state loan and investment board, in consultation with the investment funds committee, shall seek to preserve the balance of the fund in a manner that strives for the highest possible risk-adjusted total net return consistent with an appropriate level of safety and liquidity to maintain a consistent annual required distribution. (c) If this article is enacted by the legislature pursuant to the voting requirements of article 16, section 6(a)(ii)(B) of the Wyoming constitution, the state treasurer may invest the unobligated, unencumbered balance of the perpetuity fund in equities, including stocks of corporations. (d) All monies deposited to the perpetuity fund, including investment earnings, shall be expended only for the allowable perpetuity fund expenditures authorized under the Wyoming rural health transformation program and in accordance with the terms and conditions under which the monies are received. Rural health transformation funds, and investment earnings thereon, expended in violation of the terms and conditions under which the monies are received shall be returned by the state to the federal source from which the monies originated. (e) Each one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) of principal deposited to the perpetuity fund shall be allocated to one (1) purpose-dedicated share by the department, or fractional value thereof if a deposit is less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00). (f) The annual required distribution is continuously appropriated to the Wyoming rural health transformation expenditure account, which is hereby created. The state treasurer shall annually credit the annual required distribution to the expenditure account not later than September 30 of each year. Monies in the expenditure account shall only be expended by the department for allowable perpetuity fund expenditures under W.S. 35-25-706, the Wyoming rural health transformation plan and all other requirements and limitations specified in this article. Any unexpended, unobligated funds remaining from an annual required distribution, after a reasonable period for expenditure for which the funds were continuously appropriated, as recommended by the advisory committee and determined by the department, shall revert to the Wyoming rural health transformation perpetuity fund. (g) Subject to W.S. 35-25-706(a), the total amount of the annual required distribution expended on each allowable perpetuity fund expenditure shall reasonably reflect the total number of purpose-dedicated shares initially allocated to that expenditure, divided by the total number of all purpose-dedicated shares in the perpetuity fund.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-705 Wyoming rural health transformation program.

There is established the Wyoming rural health transformation program within the department. The department shall administer the program. The program shall be implemented in accordance with the Wyoming rural health transformation plan and shall be limited to the allowable perpetuity fund expenditures authorized in W.S. 35-25-706 and the time-limited initiatives authorized in W.S. 35-25-707. The department shall promulgate rules necessary to implement this section and the program.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-706 Wyoming rural health transformation program; allowable perpetuity fund expenditures.

(a) Subject to the availability of funds, the department shall expend the annual required distribution solely for the allowable perpetuity fund expenditures authorized under this section. The allocation of purpose-dedicated shares and annually required distribution expenditures shall seek to achieve the percentage targets for support, grants and awards specified in this section. Upon a written recommendation of the advisory committee, the department may materially deviate from the percentage targets specified in this section to the extent necessary to meet documented need and demonstrated demand for the support, grants and awards specified in this section. (b) Forty and seven-tenths percent (40.7%) of the annual required distribution shall be allocated for the critical access hospital basic incentive (CAHB) program. Under this program, the department shall provide incentive payments to hospitals that elect to participate and that meet service delivery requirements, subject to all of the following: (i) A participating hospital shall operate a staffed twenty-four (24) hour emergency department with stroke and trauma imaging capability, provide or operate ground ambulance services within its service area, provide basic labor and delivery services if annual births exceed a threshold established by the department and participate in the statewide health information exchange; (ii) Incentive payments under this subsection may include tiered payments, one (1) time grants, medical debt relief for Wyoming residents and ongoing payments to offset fixed costs. (c) Twenty-six and nine-tenths percent (26.9%) of the annual required distribution shall be allocated for emergency medical service regionalization. After the submission of a statewide emergency medical services response time model to the joint labor, health and social services interim committee as provided in paragraph (i) of this subsection, the department shall provide incentive payments to emergency medical service providers that elect to participate and that meet regionalization requirements established by rule of the department, subject to the following: (i) The department shall not require or implement emergency medical service regionalization under this subsection unless it first submits to the joint labor, health and human services interim committee a statewide emergency medical service response time model demonstrating no increase in emergency response times, staffing projections including volunteer impacts, inter-county governance and authority agreements and full cost estimates of regionalization, including long-term maintenance costs; (ii) Eligibility for incentive payments under this subsection shall be limited to joint applications submitted by two (2) or more ground ambulance providers serving a contiguous rural or frontier region; (iii) Joint applicants shall submit a regionalization plan to the department demonstrating maximization of revenue sources, integration with public safety answering points, use of interoperable equipment and technology, reduction of administrative overhead and commitment to community emergency medical services and tele-crisis stabilization services; (iv) Incentive payments under this subsection shall include ongoing payments to offset fixed readiness costs and grants for ambulances, interoperability equipment and implementation of regional medical dispatch. (d) Twenty-one and six-tenths percent (21.6%) of the annual required distribution shall be allocated for workforce education individual support. The department shall administer awards to individual persons for health care workforce education and training costs, including tuition, fees and stipends, subject to the following: (i) Awards under this subsection shall be used to pay allowable education and training costs for eligible applicants pursuing credentials in one (1) or more of the following fields: (A) Nursing, including certified nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse and advanced practice registered nurse programs; (B) Emergency medical services, including emergency department technician, emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician and paramedic programs; (C) Clinical behavioral health professions; (D) Physician education, including undergraduate medical education. (ii) As a condition of receiving an award under this subsection, an applicant shall agree to provide health care services in Wyoming for a minimum of five (5) years following completion of the approved program, under terms and conditions established by the department; (iii) An applicant who fails to satisfy the service obligation required under paragraph (ii) of this subsection shall be required to repay to the department all or a prorated portion of the award, together with any applicable interest, as determined by rule of the department. (e) Ten and eight-tenths percent (10.8%) of the annual required distribution shall be allocated for physician post-graduate medical education (GME) individual support. The department shall administer awards to individuals for physician medical education, including residency and fellowship training costs, subject to the following: (i) In awarding funds under this subsection, the department shall prioritize awards to applicants in programs that will increase the supply of family medicine physicians and that provide training in obstetrics or other high-demand specialties, as determined by the department; (ii) As a condition of receiving an award under this subsection, an applicant shall agree to provide health care services for a minimum of five (5) years in one (1) or more underserved counties within the state, under terms and conditions established by rule of the department.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-707 Wyoming rural health transformation program; time-limited initiatives; sunset.

(a) Subject to the availability of rural health transformation funds and subsection (b) of this section, the department is authorized to expend funds for time-limited initiatives in amounts that seek to achieve the following percentage targets: (i) Thirty-six and four-tenths percent (36.4%) of amounts available for time-limited initiatives for integrated primary care. Expenditures under this paragraph shall be for competitive grants to expand the number and geographical reach of federally qualified health centers in the state through conversion of existing facilities and practices for the integration of primary care delivery models that coordinate primary medical care with behavioral health services, obstetric and gynecological care, dental services and preventive health services; (ii) Fifteen and one-tenths percent (15.1%) of amounts available for time-limited initiatives for a technology adoption challenge program. Expenditures under this paragraph shall be for competitive grants for health care technology procurement. Grants under this paragraph shall be awarded only to joint applications submitted by two (2) or more health care providers and shall be limited to projects that improve care delivery closer to patients' homes, enhance interoperability and coordination among providers and reduce administrative activity; (iii) Nine and eight-tenths percent (9.8%) of amounts available for time-limited initiatives for exercise and diet programs. Expenditures under this paragraph shall be for competitive grants to Wyoming-based entities to promote physical activity and healthy nutrition. Projects that demonstrate measurable increases in participation in exercise, outdoor recreation or evidence-based nutrition practices shall be prioritized for the grants under this paragraph; (iv) Eight and two-tenths percent (8.2%) of amounts available for time-limited initiatives for a statewide tele-specialist platform. Expenditures under this paragraph shall be for the procurement and operation of a centralized tele-specialty platform to deliver physician-level specialty consultations to health care providers statewide; (v) Eight and two-tenths percent (8.2%) of amounts available for time-limited initiatives for workforce education startup costs. Expenditures under this paragraph shall be for competitive grants to support health care workforce training programs operated by educational institutions within the state. Grants under this paragraph shall be awarded to recipients that commit to establishing and maintaining a specified number of training positions for nurses, emergency medical service personnel, physicians, clinical behavioral health providers and other health care professionals; (vi) Eight and two-tenths percent (8.2%) of amounts available for time-limited initiatives for care coordination. Expenditures under this paragraph shall be for competitive grants to hospitals, health care providers and rural health facilities to propose clinically integrated care coordination models for one (1) or more counties to improve the management of chronic disease among persons who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and who are identified as high risk. Funding awarded under this paragraph may include capped start-up costs, a per-member, per-month care coordination payment for assigned persons and performance-based payments tied to demonstrated cost savings; (vii) Four and nine-tenths percent (4.9%) of amounts available for time-limited initiatives for centralized billing capacity. Expenditures under this paragraph shall be for centralized billing and revenue collection services for voluntarily participating emergency medical services agencies. This centralized billing capacity initiative may be expanded to other health care providers if the initiative demonstrates effectiveness and financial sustainability; (viii) Two percent (2.0%) of amounts available for time-limited initiatives for a nonemergency transportation coordination platform. Expenditures under this paragraph shall be for the procurement and operation of a centralized nonemergency medical transportation coordination platform to improve access to health care appointments for seniors, persons with disabilities and other eligible populations. The platform shall facilitate the scheduling, coordination and billing of nonemergency transportation; (ix) Two and six-tenths percent (2.6%) of amounts available for time-limited initiatives for administration. Expenditures under this paragraph include any administrative costs necessary to implement the rural health transformation program, including expenses of the advisory committee; (x) Four and six-tenths percent (4.6%) of amounts available for time-limited initiatives included in the Wyoming rural health transformation plan that are not specifically authorized in this subsection shall be redistributed for expenditure on the initiatives authorized under this subsection. (b) Upon a written recommendation of the advisory committee, the department may materially deviate from the percentage targets specified in subsection (a) of this section to the extent necessary to meet documented need and demonstrated demand for the time-limited initiatives specified in subsection (a) of this section. (c) The authority to administer the time-limited initiatives and any funds for the initiatives under subsection (a) of this section shall terminate upon exhaustion of all rural health transformation funds appropriated or otherwise made available for the initiatives specified in subsection (a) of this section.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-708 Prohibited uses; legislative notice; reporting.

(a) In addition to any other limitations imposed by state or federal law, no expenditure of rural health transformation funds shall be made for abortions or for specified sex-trait modification procedures, as defined in 45 C.F.R. § 156.400. (b) Each grant, award or expenditure of rural health transformation funds in excess of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00) shall require written approval of the advisory committee and notice to the legislature not less than ten (10) days prior to authorization of the grant, award or expenditure. For authorized perpetuity fund expenditures, the notice shall identify the proposed recipient, amount, purpose and material terms of the grant, award or expenditure. For time-limited initiatives, legislative notice shall be satisfied by the department providing written notice to the joint appropriations committee in a manner similar to the process specified in W.S. 9-2-1005(b)(ii) and 9-2-1013(b). (c) The state budget department, in consultation with the department, shall develop and maintain an electronic reporting portal to provide current information on expenditures and program activity of rural health transformation funds.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-25-709 Recipient reporting; performance and accountability agreements; repayment.

(a) The department shall require each recipient of funds under the Wyoming rural health transformation program to submit reports sufficient to demonstrate compliance with applicable state and federal requirements. At a minimum, required reporting shall include detailed expenditure information, performance measures and documentation demonstrating the authorized use of funds. (b) The department shall require each recipient hospital, clinic, emergency medical service provider or other health care-related organization receiving funds under the programs authorized in W.S. 35-25-706 to enter into a written performance and accountability agreement with the department. At a minimum, the agreement shall include requirements relating to: (i) Operating margin targets; (ii) Days cash on hand; (iii) Liquidity ratio benchmarks; (iv) The adoption of modernization and efficiency practices, including improved revenue cycle management systems; (v) The development and implementation of a plan to reduce unprofitable, duplicative or nonessential service lines; (vi) Participation in shared services, regional collaboration or other cost-containment arrangements where feasible; and (vii) Submission of independent financial audits to the department for annual collection and transmittal to the joint appropriations committee. (c) A recipient of funds under the Wyoming rural health transformation program that fails to comply with a requirement, condition or obligation imposed by statute, rule or performance and accountability agreement, or that fails to meet required performance targets, misuses funds, expends funds for purposes not authorized under state or federal law or fails or refuses to implement required operational reforms, shall repay to the department all or a prorated portion of the funds received, as determined by the department. The department may recover amounts owed under this subsection by any means authorized by law.
Source: Public.Resource.Org WY StatutesURL: https://unicourt.github.io/cic-code-wy/transforms/wy/ocwy/r78/gov.wy.code.title.35.htmlFetched: 6/28/2026