In-Home Care in Wyoming

Wyoming’s natural wonders and wide-open spaces may attract some seniors, but its extremely low tax burden is even more appealing. The state doesn’t have any state income tax, so seniors won’t pay taxes on their Social Security benefits, pensions or other retirement income. It also has one of the lowest combined state and local tax rates nationwide, with groceries and prescription drugs tax-exempt. Seniors who own their homes also pay some of the lowest property taxes in the country, and there are no estate or inheritance taxes.

Wyoming is home to the world’s oldest national park and nearly 579,000 residents, nearly 99,000 seniors aged 65 or older. Seniors aging in place at home may need in-home assistance as they get older to retain their independence. Wyoming had an average cost of $5,529 in 2021 for either home care, which provides personal and household assistance, or home health care, which provides medical care.

The guide offers helpful information on in-home care costs in Wyoming and applying for Medicaid to help cover these costs. It also provides several resources where seniors can get assistance that helps them save money and stay safe and independent at home.

According to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, in-home care in Wyoming costs an average of $5,529 per month, making it higher than the national average. It ranks in the middle compared to adjacent states. Montana and Idaho have lower average costs at $5,339 and $5,434, respectively. Other states in the region have higher rates, including Utah at $5,625, South Dakota at $5,911 and Colorado at $6,387.

The monthly cost of in-home care in Wyoming is quite high compared to some other types of senior care in the state. Home health care is $45 higher, at a cost of $5,384, and nursing home care costs $7,346 per month, which is more than $2,000 higher than in-home care. Other care options that may appeal to seniors have significantly lower costs. Assisted living in Wyoming averages just $3,780 a month, which is $1,559 lower than home care, while seniors pay an average of $1,560 for adult day care.

In-home care offers one type of senior care option ideal for those wishing to remain in their own homes. Seniors who require limited care may opt for adult day health care, with its much lower rate of $1,733. For those seeking a residential setting that allows more social interaction and the same types of supports, assisted living runs slightly less than in-home care at an average of $4,169 per month. Seniors who require 24/7 assistance and/or extensive medical care may consider nursing home care. Nursing facilities have the highest cost at $6,996 but offer the greatest support.

The Wyoming Department of Health, Division of Healthcare Financing administers the Wyoming Medicaid Program. Regular Medicaid is an entitlement program, meaning everyone eligible receives services. Individuals who are aged, blind or disabled who qualify for Medicaid may receive some long-term care benefits. However, seniors must apply for the Medicaid Community Choices Waiver to receive in-home care. The community-based waiver offers an alternative to nursing facility care to support their independence, safety and health in their own homes.

Wyoming offers several convenient ways to apply for Medicaid. The quickest way is online using WY Medicaid Web Portal. Other options include:

• Calling (855) 294-2127 to apply over the phone
• Printing a paper Application for Health Coverage and returning the completed forms by:

• Faxing it to 1-855-329-5205
• Emailing it to wesapplications@wyo.gov
• Dropping it off at the Department of Health
• Mailing it to Wyoming Department of Health, Customer Service Center, 3001 E. Pershing Boulevard, Suite 125, Cheyenne, WY 82001

It can take up to 45 days to process Medicaid applications.

What Information You Will Need

General information all applicants must supply includes:

• Social Security number
• Immigration documentation, if applicable
• Current job and income information, if employed
• Information about current health coverage, including Medicare, if applicable

Aged, blind or disabled applicants must also complete Appendix D and provide:

• Level of care requirements
• Veteran status
• Additional income, such as VA income, worker’s compensation, inheritance, etc.
• List of items of value sold, given away, transferred or traded in the past 5 years
• List of resources, such as vehicles, checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, CDs, annuities, IRAs, burial funds, life insurance, livestock, safety deposit boxes, etc. 

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.