This bill creates a new law in Wyoming that broadly prohibits noncompete agreements (contractual provisions that restrict an employee’s ability to work for another employer) while establishing several key exceptions. The bill renders most noncompete covenants void, but allows exceptions for: (1) business sale agreements, (2) protection of trade secrets, (3) recovery of employee training and relocation expenses based on a sliding scale depending on the employee’s length of service, and (4) executive, management, and professional staff positions. Specifically for physicians, the bill completely prohibits noncompete provisions that would restrict a doctor’s ability to practice medicine after terminating employment or a professional affiliation. The bill includes a notable provision allowing physicians to disclose their continued medical practice and contact information to patients with rare disorders whom they previously treated. The law will apply only to contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2025, and will not affect existing agreements made before that date. This legislation aims to protect workers’ rights to seek employment and earn a living while providing limited protections for businesses’ legitimate interests.
SF 0107
HB 0076
This bill amends Wyoming’s insurance code to require that prior authorization adverse determinations and appeals be made exclusively by Wyoming-licensed health care providers. Currently, these determinations and reviews could be conducted by providers licensed in any U.S. state or territory, but the new legislation restricts this to only providers with a current, unrestricted Wyoming license practicing within their professional scope. The bill specifically changes two sections of Wyoming statute (26-55-104 and 26-55-106) to implement this restriction, which means that health insurers and utilization review entities must now ensure that physicians or other licensed health care professionals making adverse determinations or reviewing appeals must be licensed in Wyoming. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to prior authorization adverse determinations made or appealed on or after that date, which gives insurance companies and healthcare providers time to adjust to the new requirements.
HB 0121
This bill establishes the Hospital Price Transparency Act, requiring Wyoming hospitals to publicly disclose detailed pricing information for medical services and items in a clear, accessible manner. Specifically, hospitals must create two types of digital price lists: a comprehensive machine-readable file containing all standard charges for facility items and services, and a consumer-friendly list of prices for at least 300 “shoppable services” (medical procedures that can be scheduled in advance). These lists must include various pricing details like gross charges, negotiated rates with different insurers, and cash prices, and must be posted on the hospital’s website free of charge and without requiring user registration. The Department of Health will monitor hospital compliance, with the power to issue penalties of $1,000 per day for violations. Importantly, the bill prohibits hospitals that are not complying with these transparency requirements from taking debt collection actions against patients, meaning patients could potentially avoid paying bills from hospitals that do not properly disclose their prices. The law is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with the goal of helping patients understand and compare medical costs before receiving treatment.
HB 14
AN ACT relating to the insurance code; requiring health insurers and contracted utilization review entities to follow prior authorization regulations as specified; providing legislative findings; providing definitions; requiring rulemaking; and providing for effective dates.
HB 24
AN ACT relating to public health and safety; authorizing the department of health to comment on alterations or additions to health care facilities rather than approve these plans; repealing bed expansion limitations for nursing care facilities and hospitals as specified; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.
SB 100
AN ACT relating to the insurance code; providing regulations for payment of claims from insurers or the insurer’s intermediary to pharmacies; providing definitions; requiring rulemaking; providing applicability; and providing for effective dates.
States Target Health Insurers’ ‘Prior Authorization’ Red Tape
HB 191
AN ACT relating to pharmacy benefit managers; requiring reporting on pharmacy benefit manager audits; regulating the conduct of pharmacy benefit managers; providing monetary reimbursement level requirements; amending provisions governing pharmacy benefit manager audits; requiring fee transparency; amending provisions governing maximum allowable cost appeals; regulating pharmacy benefit managers regarding the state employees’ and officials’ group insurance program; allowing groups to contract with insurers, preferred provider organizations or health maintenance organizations as specified; clarifying application of the Health Care Reimbursement Reform Act of 1985 to pharmacy benefit managers; providing definitions; making conforming amendments; repealing unnecessary definitions; requiring rulemaking; amending rulemaking authority; authorizing positions; providing appropriations; and providing for effective dates.
SF 151
Wyoming prescription drug transparency act. AN ACT relating to the insurance code; prohibiting specified actions by pharmacy benefit managers; allowing individuals to choose in network retail pharmacies as specified; providing definitions; excluding certain claims as specified; amending a definition; requiring pharmacy benefit managers to provide contact information as specified; amending the process for when a maximum allowable cost appeal is denied; requiring pharmacy benefit managers to allow pharmacies to file appeals in electronic batch formats; requiring pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse pharmacies as specified; authorizing pharmacies to decline to provide pharmacy services as specified; making conforming amendments; requiring rulemaking; providing appropriations; and providing for effective dates.