TRICARE North Dakota: Plans, Bases, and Gateways | TRICARE.com

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## TRICARE in North Dakota North Dakota is located in the **TRICARE West Region**. Since January 1, 2025, the regional contractor providing managed care support is **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**, which replaced the previous contractor, Health Net Federal Services. Beneficiaries in North Dakota primarily access care through military treatment facilities (MTFs) centered around the state’s Air Force bases or through a network of civilian providers managed by TriWest.

## Major military installations North Dakota is home to two primary strategic Air Force installations and a significant National Guard presence:

* **Minot Air Force Base:** Located north of Minot (Ward County); home to the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing. * **Grand Forks Air Force Base:** Located west of Grand Forks (Grand Forks County); home to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing. * **Camp Grafton:** A major Army National Guard training site near Devils Lake. * **Hector Field:** Home of the North Dakota Air National Guard (119th Wing) in Fargo.

## Plans available in North Dakota Beneficiaries in North Dakota can choose from several plans depending on their duty status, location, and retiree status:

| Plan | Eligibility | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active Duty, Family Members | Available primarily in "Prime Service Areas" (PSAs) near Minot and Grand Forks AFBs. | | **TRICARE Select** | All beneficiaries | A PPO-style plan allowing more flexibility in choosing providers without a referral. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Qualified National Guard/Reserve | Extremely common in ND due to the high density of Citizen-Airmen and Soldiers. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR)** | Retired Guard/Reserve under age 60 | Monthly premiums apply; 2026 rates vary by plan year. | | **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** | Medicare-eligible retirees | Secondary payer to Medicare; works with any Medicare provider in ND. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Unmarried children ages 21–26 | Available in Prime or Select formats. |

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

## Finding care in North Dakota To find a doctor, North Dakota beneficiaries should use the **TriWest Healthcare Alliance Provider Directory**.

* **Network vs. Non-Network:** In rural areas of North Dakota, you may find fewer "Network" providers. While TRICARE Select allows you to see "Non-Network" providers, you will face higher out-of-pocket costs (point-of-service charges) if the provider is not "TRICARE-authorized." * **MTF Access:** If you are enrolled in Prime at Minot or Grand Forks, your primary care manager (PCM) will be located at the base clinic. Referral requirements apply for all specialty care. * **Telehealth:** Given the state's geography, telehealth is highly utilized. TriWest offers a network of virtual behavioral health and urgent care providers that can be accessed from remote parts of the state without traveling to Fargo or Bismarck.

Common questions for North Dakota beneficiaries

**I am PCSing to Minot AFB. When should I switch my enrollment?** You should wait until you have physically arrived at your new North Dakota address. Once you arrive, contact TriWest Healthcare Alliance or use the Beneficiary Web Enrollment (BWE) portal to update your address and primary care manager.

**Does TRICARE work with North Dakota Medicaid (Expansion)?** Yes. Since TRICARE is a federal program, it is always the primary payer to Medicaid. If you or a family member qualify for Medicaid in North Dakota, TRICARE pays first, and Medicaid is the payer of last resort.

**What happens if I live in a remote area like Williston or Dickinson?** If you live more than 50 miles (or one hour's drive) from a military clinic, you may be eligible for **TRICARE Prime Remote**. This allows you to receive Prime-level benefits while using civilian providers, provided you maintain the necessary referrals through TriWest.

## Sources * TRICARE West Region (TriWest Healthcare Alliance): [https://www.triwest.com](https://www.triwest.com) * Minot Air Force Base Medical Services: [https://minot.tricare.mil/](https://minot.tricare.mil/) * Grand Forks Air Force Base Medical Services: [https://grandforks.tricare.mil/](https://grandforks.tricare.mil/) * TRICARE Plan Finder: [https://tricare.mil/Plans/PlanFinder](https://tricare.mil/Plans/PlanFinder)