A new state law allows the Wyoming State Insurance Commission to regulate the Wyoming air ambulance membership organizations. Consumers pay for air ambulance memberships to try to avoid high prices if they ever need such services. This is a serious issue in rural areas of the state where there is a lack of emergency health care.
But Jeff Rude with the State Insurance Commissioners said it doesn't necessarily regulate pricing. That's because there is a chance that the air ambulance that picks up the individual is not registered with the membership they have signed up for.
But Rude said only one company is in the process of registering with the state.
"A lot of the air ambulance companies worked with the legislature on this bill to come up with something that's similar to what they do in Nebraska, for example," said Rude. "And yet, none of those companies have contacted our office to apply yet."
Rude said he doesn't understand why these companies that worked with lawmakers to create the legislation and who comply with similar rules in Nebraska, wouldn't do the same in Wyoming. He said people who want more companies to sign up should call up their representatives to express their concerns.
