TRICARE Montana: Malmstrom AFB & West Region Guide | TRICARE.com

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## TRICARE in Montana Montana is located in the **TRICARE West Region**. Since January 1, 2025, the West Region contractor has been **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**, which replaced the previous contractor (Health Net Federal Services). Beneficiaries in Montana, particularly those around Malmstrom Air Force Base, coordinate their care through TriWest and the 341st Medical Group.

## Major military installations Montana’s military footprint is centered on Great Falls, but its National Guard and Reserve presence spans the entire state:

* **Malmstrom Air Force Base** (Air Force) – Great Falls * **Montana Air National Guard** (120th Airlift Wing) – Great Falls * **Montana Army National Guard Headquarters** – Fort Harrison (Helena) * **Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC)** – Billings and Helena

## Plans available in Montana Beneficiaries in Montana have access to the following TRICARE plans depending on their status and location:

| Plan | Best For | | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active duty members (mandatory) and families near Malmstrom AFB or Fort Harrison. Lowest out-of-pocket costs. | | **TRICARE Select** | Those who want to choose their own doctors and don't mind higher 2026 copays. No referrals required. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select** | Qualified National Guard and Reserve members throughout Montana. | | **TRICARE For Life** | Retirees with Medicare Part A & B; acts as secondary payer to Medicare. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Adult children (up to age 26) who have aged out of regular TRICARE coverage. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve** | Retired Reserve members under age 60 and their families. |

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

## Finding care in Montana Because Montana is a large, rural state, finding a network provider often depends on your proximity to Great Falls, Billings, Missoula, or Helena.

* **Network Providers:** You can find local doctors, specialists, and mental health providers using the **TriWest Healthcare Alliance Provider Directory**. This is the primary tool for 2026 West Region beneficiaries. * **The 341st Medical Group:** Located at Malmstrom AFB, this facility provides primary care, dental (for active duty), and pharmacy services. If they cannot provide a specific service, TRICARE Prime members will receive a referral to a network specialist in Great Falls or beyond. * **Telehealth:** Given Montana’s geography, TRICARE’s partnership with **Doctor on Demand** and **Telemynd** is highly utilized. Beneficiaries can often schedule virtual behavioral health or urgent care visits with $0 copays for active duty family members on Prime. * **Pharmacy:** While Malmstrom AFB has an on-base pharmacy, other residents use **Express Scripts** for home delivery or retail network pharmacies such as Walgreens or CVS.

Common questions for Montana beneficiaries

**I am PCSing to Malmstrom AFB; how do I switch my coverage?** As soon as you arrive in Great Falls, update your address in DEERS. Since you are staying within the West Region (if moving from another West state), you can update your enrollment via the TriWest portal or by calling them directly. If coming from the East Region, you must officially transfer your enrollment to the West.

**Does Montana Medicaid work with TRICARE?** Yes. By law, TRICARE is the secondary payer to all other health insurance plans, *except* for Medicaid. If you are a Montana resident covered by both, TRICARE pays first and Medicaid is the payer of last resort.

**Can I see a civilian doctor in Missoula or Bozeman if I'm on Prime?** If you live in a Prime Service Area (PSA) near Malmstrom or Fort Harrison, you generally must see a military or network provider. For those in remote parts of Montana, **TRICARE Prime Remote** allows you to see local civilian providers, though you still require referrals for specialty care through TriWest.

## Sources * **TRICARE West Region (TriWest):** [https://www.triwest.com](https://www.triwest.com) * **TRICARE.mil Plan Finder:** [https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/Enroll](https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/Enroll) * **341st Medical Group - Malmstrom AFB:** [https://malmstrom.tricare.mil/](https://malmstrom.tricare.mil/) * **Defense Manpower Data Center (DEERS):** [https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/](https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/)