Health care includes the prevention, treatment, and cure of physical and mental health issues that may affect human beings. Legal issues related health care may arise—including issues related to (1) the provision of health care services; (2) the payment for health care services—by individuals or by insurance; (3) the privacy of medical and health care records; and (4) the right to make health care decisions for ourselves and others.
In Wyoming, health care law encompasses a variety of regulations and statutes that address the delivery and financing of health care services, as well as patient privacy and autonomy. Health care providers must adhere to state licensing requirements and standards of care when providing medical services. Payment for these services can be out-of-pocket by individuals or through health insurance plans, which are regulated by both state and federal laws, including the Affordable Care Act. Wyoming has laws that protect the privacy of medical records, aligning with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which sets the standard for protecting sensitive patient data. Additionally, Wyoming residents have the right to make their own health care decisions, including the use of advance directives such as living wills and durable powers of attorney for health care, to ensure their wishes are followed if they become incapacitated.