TRICARE South Dakota: Plans, Providers & 2026 Rates | TRICARE.com

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## TRICARE in South Dakota South Dakota is part of the **TRICARE West Region**. As of January 1, 2025, the regional contractor for the West is **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**, which replaced the previous contractor, Health Net Federal Services. Beneficiaries in South Dakota rely on TriWest for network provider management, referrals, and customer service.

## Major military installations While South Dakota has a smaller military footprint than some neighboring states, it is home to a critical strategic bomber base and a robust National Guard presence.

* **Ellsworth Air Force Base** – Air Force (Box Elder/Rapid City) * **Joe Foss Field** – Air National Guard (Sioux Falls) * **Camp Rapid** – Army National Guard (Rapid City) * **South Dakota National Guard Museum/Headquarters** – Army/Air National Guard (Pierre)

## Plans available in South Dakota South Dakota residents have access to the standard suite of TRICARE plans. Note that **TRICARE Prime** availability is typically tied to "Prime Service Areas" near Ellsworth AFB; residents in more rural parts of the state generally utilize TRICARE Select.

| Plan | Best For | | :--- | :--- | | **TRICARE Prime** | Active duty and those living near Ellsworth AFB in "Prime Service Areas." | | **TRICARE Select** | Those who want to choose their own doctors and live in rural SD. | | **TRICARE Reserve Select** | Qualified National Guard and Reserve members. | | **TRICARE Retired Reserve** | Retired National Guard/Reserve members under age 60. | | **TRICARE For Life** | Retirees with Medicare Part A and B (secondary payer to Medicare). | | **TRICARE Young Adult** | Adult children of sponsors up to age 26 not otherwise eligible. |

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

## Finding care in South Dakota Because South Dakota is a sparsely populated state, finding a network provider depends heavily on your proximity to Sioux Falls or Rapid City.

* **Provider Directory:** Beneficiaries should use the **TriWest Healthcare Alliance** website to search the West Region Network. * **Network vs. Non-Network:** If you are on TRICARE Select, you can see any state-licensed provider, but you will pay lower cost-shares if you use a TriWest network provider. In rural South Dakota, many providers may be "non-network" but "TRICARE-authorized." * **Telehealth:** Given the distances between major South Dakota medical hubs, TRICARE's telehealth options through TriWest-approved platforms (such as Doctor On Demand) are highly recommended for behavioral health and minor acute care. * **Military Treatment Facilities (MTF):** The 28th Medical Group at Ellsworth AFB serves as the primary hub for military medicine in the state.

Common questions for South Dakota beneficiaries

**What happens if I live far from Ellsworth AFB?** If you reside more than 50 miles or a one-hour drive from Ellsworth AFB, you may not be eligible for TRICARE Prime and will likely be enrolled in **TRICARE Select** or **TRICARE Prime Remote**. This allows you more flexibility to use local civilian doctors in your hometown.

**I am in the South Dakota National Guard; which plan applies to me?** When you are not on active duty orders for more than 30 days, you are likely eligible for **TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)**. TRS is a premium-based plan that allows you to use the TriWest network throughout the state.

**How does TRICARE work with Medicare in South Dakota?** For retirees in SD, **TRICARE For Life (TFL)** acts as a supplement to Medicare. You can see any provider that accepts Medicare and TRICARE. In SD, this includes the majority of major health systems, including Sanford Health and Avera Health.

## Sources * **TRICARE West Region Contractor:** [TriWest Healthcare Alliance](https://www.triwest.com/) * **Official TRICARE Plan Finder:** [TRICARE.mil/Plans](https://official.tricare.mil/Plans/Eligibility) * **Ellsworth Air Force Base 28th Medical Group:** [ellsworth.af.mil](https://ellsworth.af.mil) * **Defense Health Agency:** [health.mil](https://health.mil)