TRICARE Minnesota: Plans, Providers & Regional Info | TRICARE.com

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## TRICARE in Minnesota Minnesota is located in the **TRICARE East Region**. Comprehensive health care coverage for beneficiaries in the state is managed by the regional contractor, **Humana Military**. While Minnesota does not host a large active-duty "mega-base," it has a significant population of National Guard, Reserve members, and retirees who rely on a network of civilian providers and VA facilities for care.

## Major military installations Minnesota’s military presence is defined largely by National Guard and Reserve operations. The primary hubs for military activity and services include:

* **Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station (MSP):** Home to the 934th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve) and the 133rd Airlift Wing (Minnesota Air National Guard) – Minneapolis. * **Camp Ripley:** A primary National Guard training center located near Little Falls. * **Fort Snelling:** A historic military post in the Twin Cities housing various Reserve units and the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. * **Duluth Air National Guard Base:** Home to the 148th Fighter Wing – Duluth.

## Plans available in Minnesota Beneficiaries in Minnesota have access to several plan types depending on their duty status and location. *Note: TRICARE Prime is generally restricted to Prime Service Areas (PSAs), which are typically within 40 miles or a one-hour drive of a military installation.*

| Plan Type | Eligibility | Best For | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active duty and families near PSAs | Low out-of-pocket costs with managed primary care. | | **TRICARE Select** | All non-active duty beneficiaries | Maximum flexibility to see any network or non-network provider. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Qualified Selected Reserve members | Low-cost premium-based coverage for part-time service members. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** | Retired Reserve members under age 60 | Premium-based coverage for "Gray Area" retirees. | | **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** | Retirees with Medicare Parts A & B | Wraparound coverage that acts as secondary payer to Medicare. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Adult children (21-26) | Continued coverage for those not eligible for their own employer plans. |

*Note: The **US Family Health Plan (USFHP)** is not currently available in Minnesota.*

## Finding care in Minnesota In Minnesota, most beneficiaries receive care through the TRICARE civilian network rather than Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs).

* **Network Providers:** Use the [Humana Military Provider Directory](https://www.humanamilitary.com/provider/search) to find doctors in the Twin Cities, Duluth, Rochester, and other regions. You will pay lower copays and have no deductible when using network providers for most plans. * **Non-Network Providers:** If you use a non-network provider, you will likely pay higher out-of-pocket costs and may need to file your own claims. * **Telehealth:** Humana Military offers robust telehealth options for Minnesota residents, including Doctor on Demand and Telemynd for behavioral health services. These are particularly useful for those in rural Greater Minnesota. * **Pharmacy:** Prescriptions can be filled via Express Scripts Home Delivery, at military pharmacies (like the pharmacy at MSP Air Reserve Station), or at participating retail pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS.

Common questions for Minnesota beneficiaries

**Does TRICARE work with the Mayo Clinic?** Yes, but accessibility depends on your plan. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester is a high-demand specialty center. TRICARE Select members can typically access it more easily (subject to higher non-network costs if Mayo is not in-network). Prime members usually require a specific referral and authorization from Humana Military to see specialists at Mayo.

**Moving to Minnesota (PCS): How do I transfer coverage?** If you are relocating to Minnesota from the West Region (e.g., California or Colorado), you must contact Humana Military to enroll in the East Region. Enrollment does not happen automatically. Update your address in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) first, then call Humana Military at 1-800-444-5445 to switch regions.

**How does TRICARE interact with Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid)?** Under federal law, TRICARE is always the secondary payer to most other health insurance plans, including civilian employer plans. However, TRICARE is the **primary** payer to Medicaid. If you are eligible for both, TRICARE pays first, and Minnesota Medical Assistance may pick up the remaining cost-share.

## Sources * [TRICARE East Region - Humana Military](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * [TRICARE.mil - Plan Finder](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/PlanFinder) * [Defense Health Agency - T-5 Contract Information](https://health.mil/About-MHS/OASDHA/Defense-Health-Agency/Operations/Business-Operations/TRICARE-Health-Plan/TRICARE-Contracts) * [Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs](https://mn.gov/mdva/)