COMMISSIONER'S CORNER

Q3 2025

The Department of Insurance has been busy conducting outreach around the state. Commissioner Rude and staff investigator, Todd Schildmeier attended meetings with the Sheridan Wyoming Association of Grassroots Citizens in Sheridan Wyoming. The overall topic was the Elk Fire wildlife disaster. Commissioner Rude and Mr. Schildmeier listened to citizen concerns about the availability of home, ranch, business and property insurance. They also discussed insurance rate increases. While some insurers have reduced their business in Wyoming, there are still around seventy (70) insurers that continue to underwrite in the state’s admitted market. Regretfully, rates have seen an increase across the country, not only in Wyoming. There have been catastrophic claims losses. One insurer reported a 2025 first quarter loss of $1.2 billion, another insurer, $2.45 billion and another $2.3 billion, just from the California wildfires. Add to that mix, hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding, and loss continues to grow. The Department will monitor these issues as we continue through the year.

Deputy Commissioner Tana Howard and senior health policy analyst, Jill Reinking presented to the Wyoming legislative Joint Labor, Health and Social Services committee. They discussed what the department can and cannot do for individuals regarding insurance. Deputy Howard and Ms. Reinking also gave background information on how the department helps consumers and how consumers and legislators can refer issues to our office. They also discussed the status of laws that were passed in the last couple years regarding prior authorization, gold carding and provider credentialing.

AWIA’s Annual Trade Show and Convention was in Cody Wyoming June 24 -26th . Rate & Form Filings Manager, Lela Ladd and Deputy Commissioner Tana Howard attended the convention and provided presentations. Ms. Ladd did a presentation titled “Knowing Insurance v. Selling Insurance”. She discussed the importance of agents being the first line of defense for insured’s. Ms. Ladd also discussed the Wyoming insurance code (Title 26) and went over what agents should review in home, auto and property & casualty policies. She also discussed insurance fraud in Wyoming and how to submit a fraud report.

Deputy Commissioner Howard discussed the Department of Insurance and what we can and cannot do for insureds. She also discussed the complaint process within our office and the various sections that may be contacted for assistance on insurance matters.

In June, Lauren White the PBM manager did her first on site visit to a pharmacy in our state to discuss issues independent pharmacies are having with Pharmacy Benefit Managers. Ms. White will use this information to conduct follow-up surveys and onsite visits with other independent pharmacies around the state. She will also be encouraging all pharmacies that believe they have a complaint with their PBM to contact our office. Chapter 52 of Wyoming state statute Title 26 deals with Pharmacy Benefit Managers and what the department can and cannot do about enforcing the laws. If you are a Wyoming pharmacy and have any questions or complaints, please reach out to Lauren White at 307-777-7401.

Jeff Rude, Wyoming Insurance Commissioner