TriWest Crisis Connection

Minnesota Flooding Information

Updated March 27, 2009

TRICARE Information

Getting Emergency Care

Some hospitals may be affected by flooding, depending on their locations. However, in an emergency, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room. Emergency care does not require a referral or authorization; however, you or your family should notify TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378) within 24 hours after receiving emergency care.

TRICARE Reserve Select

If you have TRICARE Reserve Select and live in the counties of Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Traverse, or Wilkin, you may be the most affected by the floods. Try postponing routine care; however, if you need to see your doctor, call your provider ahead of time to see if the office is open. If your doctor is unavailable and you need non-emergency care, call TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378) to coordinate your authorizations and referrals.

TRICARE Service Centers Remain Open

The TRICARE Service Center in Minneapolis remains open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. If you are not near a TSC, find an authorized provider at TriWest’s Online Provider Directory or call 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378).

Prescription Refills

For refills, you can take your prescription bottles to any TRICARE retail network pharmacy. If you don’t have the bottle, visit the pharmacy where you received the prescription. You can also have your primary care manager (PCM) call in a new prescription to any network pharmacy in the area. Call 1-866-363-8779 or visit www.triwest.com to find a nearby pharmacy.

Getting Prescription Medication through TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy

FedEx has stopped delivering to areas of Minnesota that have been evacuated due to flooding. However, if the area has not been evacuated, deliveries will continue as normal. If you have requested a prescription refill, but mail order service is unable to ship to your address, you have the following options:

  • If you have an alternative address, the shipment will be mailed to the temporary address.
  • If you do not have an alternative address, the mail order customer service will work with a pharmacy of your choice to provide an emergency fill.
  • If the pharmacy will not provide an emergency fill, the mail order service center will attempt to obtain a new prescription from your doctor to be filled at the pharmacy of choice.

Contact Express Scripts’ mail order department at 1-866-363-8667 for detailed information.

If you are relocating temporarily and use TRICARE’s Mail Order Pharmacy, update your mailing address with Express Scripts after you move to temporary housing.

Temporary Relocation

If you find yourself relocated temporarily away from your PCM, consider postponing your routine care, such as well-child, well-baby or annual exams. If you need non-emergency care and cannot reach your PCM, call TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378) to coordinate your authorizations and referrals. All urgent care should be coordinated with TriWest when your PCM is unavailable.

If you have TRICARE Prime coverage, it will follow you when you leave home for less than 30 days. You may want to inform TriWest of a cell phone number or alternate address where you can be reached away from home.

TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra or TRICARE For Life

If you use any of these TRICARE programs and are forced to leave home, your health care benefit remains unchanged.

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