TRICARE North Dakota: Grand Forks AFB & West Region Guide 2026

*Disclaimer: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or affiliated with the Department of Defense. For official policy and the most current data, visit TRICARE.mil.*

## TRICARE in North Dakota North Dakota is part of the **TRICARE West Region**. As of January 1, 2025, the West regional contractor is **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**, which replaced the previous contractor (Health Net Federal Services). Beneficiaries in North Dakota, particularly those stationed at Grand Forks AFB or Minot AFB, manage their enrollment and authorizations through the TriWest portal.

## Major military installations While North Dakota is a sparsely populated state, it hosts critical strategic military assets. The primary installations include:

* **Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB):** Located west of Grand Forks, home to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing (Air Force). * **Minot Air Force Base:** Located north of Minot, home to the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing (Air Force). * **Cavalier Space Force Station:** Located near Cavalier, ND (Space Force). * **Camp Grafton:** Near Devils Lake, a major training site for the North Dakota National Guard (Army). * **Fargo Air National Guard Base:** Home to the 119th Wing, known as the "Happy Hooligans" (Air National Guard).

## Plans available in North Dakota Depending on your beneficiary status (Active Duty, Guard/Reserve, or Retiree), the following plans are available in North Dakota for 2026:

| Plan | Best For | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active Duty and families near GFAFB or Minot AFB. | Minimal out-of-pocket costs; requires enrollment and a Primary Care Manager (PCM). | | **TRICARE Select** | Families and retirees who want more provider choice. | No referrals required for most services; includes 2026 deductibles and cost-shares. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)** | Qualified National Guard and Reserve members. | Premium-based health plan for 2026; available to North Dakota’s extensive Guard/Reserve population. | | **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** | Retirees with Medicare Part A & B. | Acts as secondary payer to Medicare; widely used by retirees in North Dakota. | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Adult children under 26. | Available in both Prime and Select configurations. |

## Finding care in North Dakota For families at **Grand Forks AFB**, primary care is typically managed through the **319th Medical Group**. If the base clinic cannot provide specific specialty services, you will be referred to network providers in the Grand Forks area or nearby Fargo.

* **Provider Directory:** Use the [TriWest Healthcare Alliance provider search tool](https://www.triwest.com) to find network doctors in North Dakota. * **Network vs. Non-Network:** In rural North Dakota, you may find fewer "Network" providers. While TRICARE Select allows you to see non-network providers, your out-of-pocket costs will be higher. * **Telehealth:** Because of the vast distances between cities in North Dakota, telehealth is highly encouraged. TriWest offers several "telemental health" options and virtual urgent care visits that do not require a referral for many beneficiaries.

Common questions for North Dakota beneficiaries

**I am PCSing to Grand Forks AFB from the East Region; what do I do?** Since you are changing regions (East to West), you must update your address in DEERS and contact TriWest Healthcare Alliance to transfer your enrollment. Do not wait until you arrive; the transfer should happen as soon as you have a confirmed move date to ensure no gap in coverage.

**How do I get specialty care if I live in a rural area like Cavalier?** If you are enrolled in Prime, your PCM must submit an authorization request to TriWest. If no network specialist is available within a reasonable driving distance (usually 60 miles), TRICARE may authorize care from a non-network provider or utilize the Prime Travel Benefit if the distance exceeds 100 miles.

**Does North Dakota Medicaid work with TRICARE?** Yes. If you are eligible for both, TRICARE pays first and North Dakota Medicaid is the "payer of last resort." This is common for some families with special needs enrolled in the EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program).

## Sources * **TRICARE West Region Contractor:** [TriWest Healthcare Alliance](https://www.triwest.com) * **Official TRICARE Site:** [TRICARE.mil](https://www.tricare.mil) * **Grand Forks Medical Group:** [319th Medical Group – Grand Forks AFB](https://grandforks.tricare.mil/) * **Pharmacy Benefits:** [Express Scripts](https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/)