TRICARE Minnesota: Camp Ripley & East Region Guide | TRICARE.com

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## TRICARE in Minnesota Minnesota is located in the TRICARE **East Region**. Since the state falls under the East Region, the regional contractor responsible for managing the provider network, processing claims, and handling customer service is **Humana Military**. Beneficiaries in Minnesota transitioned to new regional boundaries in recent years, but the state remains firmly anchored in the East, distinct from its neighbors to the west like North and South Dakota, which are in the West Region managed by TriWest.

## Major military installations While Minnesota does not host a large active-duty "Mega-Base," it is home to several critical National Guard and Reserve hubs that support thousands of TRICARE beneficiaries.

* **Camp Ripley (Army National Guard):** Little Falls (One of the premier regional training centers in the U.S.) * **Minneapolis-St. Paul Air Reserve Station (Air Force Reserve):** Minneapolis * **Duluth Air National Guard Base (148th Fighter Wing):** Duluth * **St. Paul Air National Guard Base (133rd Airlift Wing):** St. Paul * **Fort Snelling (Army Reserve/Multiple Agencies):** Minneapolis/St. Paul

## Plans available in Minnesota Minnesota residents have access to the standard suite of TRICARE programs. Availability often depends on your distance from a military installation like Camp Ripley or the Twin Cities bases.

| Plan | Best For | | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active duty members and families living in "Prime Service Areas" (usually near Minneapolis/St. Paul or Duluth). | | **TRICARE Select** | Preferred provider organization (PPO) model for those who want to choose their own doctors without a referral. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Qualified National Guard and Reserve members (common for those drilling at Camp Ripley). | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** | Retired Reserve members under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** | Dual-eligible beneficiaries with Medicare Part A and B. | | **TRICARE Young Adult (TYA)** | Adult children up to age 26 who are no longer eligible for standard coverage. |

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

## Finding care in Minnesota Because the East Region contractor is **Humana Military**, beneficiaries should use the Humana Military Provider Directory to find "Network" providers. Choosing a network provider results in lower out-of-pocket costs and eliminates the need to file your own claims.

* **Network Providers:** Most major health systems in the Twin Cities, Rochester (Mayo Clinic), and Duluth participate in the TRICARE network. * **Non-Network Providers:** You may see any TRICARE-authorized provider, but if they are not in the network, you will likely pay a higher cost-share. * **Telehealth:** Humana Military offers robust telehealth options through Doctor On Demand. This is particularly useful for National Guard members living in rural areas near Camp Ripley where specialty care may be a long drive away. * **Pharmacy:** Most prescriptions are handled through **Express Scripts**. Retail network pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and many local Minnesota grocers (like Hy-Vee or Cub Foods) are available.

Common questions for Minnesota beneficiaries

**Is the Mayo Clinic in Rochester a TRICARE network provider?** While many Mayo Clinic providers are TRICARE-authorized, the facility's network status can vary by plan type (Prime vs. Select). Always verify with Humana Military before scheduling, as the Mayo Clinic often requires specific authorizations for out-of-state or out-of-area beneficiaries.

**How does TRICARE work for National Guard members at Camp Ripley?** Guard members on active duty orders for more than 30 days are covered under TRICARE Prime. While drilling or on inactive status, most members utilize **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)**, which provides comprehensive coverage with a monthly premium. Hospital services near Camp Ripley are primarily provided by St. Gabriel’s Health in Little Falls.

**What happens if I move from Minnesota to a West Region state?** If you PCS or move from Minnesota to a state like North Dakota or Iowa, you are moving from the East Region (Humana Military) to the West Region (**TriWest Healthcare Alliance**). You must contact both contractors to transfer your enrollment and ensure your records are updated in the DEERS system.

## Sources * Humana Military (East Region Contractor): [humanamilitary.com](https://www.humanamilitary.com/) * TRICARE Official Site: [tricARE.mil](https://www.tricare.mil/) * Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS): [idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/](https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/) * Express Scripts Pharmacy: [militaryrx.express-scripts.com](https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/)