TriWest Crisis Connection

North Dakota Flooding Information

Updated March 26, 2009

TRICARE Information

Getting Emergency Care

Some hospitals and clinics that accept TRICARE in Fargo and Bismarck are affected by the flooding. The following centers have flood updates posted online:

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.

Getting Urgent Care at Grand Forks

If you need urgent care but cannot travel to the Grand Forks military treatment facility (MTF) due to closed bridges or road blocks, call the MTF at (701) 747-5601 for a referral to receive off-base urgent care. An appointment specialist will take your information and give it to your primary care manager (PCM), who in turn will submit the authorization for care.

TRICARE Service Centers Remain Open

TRICARE Service Centers (TSCs) in North Dakota are still open. The Minot TSC is open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the Grand Forks TSC is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you are not near a TSC, find an authorized provider or call 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378). 

TRICARE Reserve Select

If you have TRICARE Reserve Select and live in Fargo or Bismarck, 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.

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 North Dakota 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.

Your TRICARE Prime coverage 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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