AFMS - Minot - 5th Medical Group

10/03/2025

The most recent appropriations for the Department of War expired at 11:59 p.m. EST on September 30, 2025. Military personnel will continue in a normal duty status without pay until such time as a continuing resolution or appropriations are passed by Congress and signed into law. Civilian personnel not engaged in excepted activities will be placed in a non-work, non-pay status.

Your health and well-being remain our highest priority. The 5th Medical Group is open, and we continue to schedule appointments. Call 701-723-5633 or visit https://minot.tricare.mil/ to learn about changes to our office hours or services during the government lapse in appropriations. This site will only provide critical updates on patient access to routine, urgent, and emergent healthcare. For information about TRICARE coverage during the lapse in appropriations period, visit www.tricare.mil/shutdown. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911.

10/01/2025

Due to the government lapse in appropriations, we won’t respond to messages or comments on this platform. We’ll resume normal activity when the federal government resumes business as usual. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. For information about TRICARE coverage during the lapse in appropriations period, visit www.tricare.mil/shutdown.

Call 701-723-5633 or visit https://minot.tricare.mil/ to learn about changes to our office hours or services during the government lapse in appropriations.

To our valued beneficiaries:
We understand a potential lapse in government funding can be concerning and want to assure you that providing continuous care remains our highest priority at the 5th Medical Group.
Here’s what you need to know in the event of a lapse in appropriations:
➡️ You will continue to have access to care at the 5th Medical Group, including pharmacy services. Please keep in mind that hours and availability of services may be adjusted.
➡️ For the latest information regarding TRICARE services during a lapse in appropriations, visit www.tricare.mil/shutdown.
➡️ Visit https://minot.tricare.mil/ or call 701-723-5633 to verify services and hours of operation. You can also reach out to your healthcare team through the Patient Portal.
➡️ If you need guidance on what type of care is right for you, the Military Health System Nurse Advice Line is available 24/7 at 1-800-TRICARE (1-800-874-2273).

We are committed to keeping you informed. Thank you for trusting us with your care.

09/30/2025

09/25/2025

The 5th MDG is making it easier than ever to access healthcare. We offer walk-in services for:

💊 Pharmacy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Medicine
🚀 Operational Medicine
✈️ Flight Medicine
🛡️ Personnel Reliability Assurance Program (PRAP)
🚺 Women's Health
💉 Immunizations
🧪 Laboratory
☢️ Radiology
👀 Optometry
🦷 Dental
🗣 Mental Health

Check out the service and schedule information posted at the 5th Medical Group to find specific hours for each service!

For all other medical needs or to schedule an appointment, please call our Appointment Line at 701-723-5633.

09/16/2025

Know When To Get Emergency Care vs. Urgent Care
Both emergency rooms and urgent care clinics can help you with a medical issue. But they’re different and serve your needs in different ways.

When to get emergency care
Emergency care means care for an illness or injury that threatens your life, limb, sight, or safety. If you reasonably believe you have an emergency, always call 911 or your international emergency number. Or, go to the nearest emergency room.
When to get urgent care
Urgent care is for medical issues that aren’t emergencies, but still need attention within 24 hours—for example, a high fever or a sprained ankle. Urgent care providers help with issues that can’t wait for a regular appointment but aren’t so bad that you need to go to the emergency room. Urgent care clinics are often open late and can help with health problems that need care but aren’t life-threatening.
Remember, emergency rooms are for serious problems that threaten your life, limb, sight, or safety. Urgent care clinics help with less serious problems that still need immediate attention.

The MHS Nurse Advice Line (1-800-TRICARE / 1-800-874-2273) is always available to help you decide where to go. Your PCM teams are also able to help with plan of care questions through the Appointment Line 701-723-5633 during open hours.

REMINDER: ACTIVE-DUTY MEMBERS NEED A REFERRAL FOR URGENT CARE- this can be completed with a simple call to the Medical Group Appt Line or the Nurse advice line to discuss your symptoms.
Retirees and all family members do not need a referral for Urgent Care, but please ensure you go to a covered network provider-see link below.

There is also a Pharmacist-Managed Cough & Cold Clinic.
Hours of Operation: Walk-In 0730 to 0930 hours, Mon-Fri, except during MDG closures.
WHO: Patients who have their primary care provider assigned at the MDG. You must be over the age of 6 with cough and/or cold/respiratory complaints and desire over-the-counter type medication for symptom relief.
NOT ELIGIBLE:
--PRAP/FLY/MOD STATUS
- If you have been sick for more than 7 days, require quarters, have asthma or COPD, pregnant/breastfeeding, Temp >100.4 for 3 days or more, immune deficiency or HIV, history of spleen injury or removal

Source: https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/3915332/unlock-your-health-by-knowing-when-to-get-emergency-care-vs-urgent-care
Emergency Care | TRICARE: https://tricare.mil/GettingCare/Appointments/Emergency
Urgent Care | TRICARE : https://tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/UrgentCare
MHS Nurse Advice Line: Welcome to MHS Nurse Advice Line Beneficiary Portal: https://mhsnurseadviceline.com/home

West Provider Directory: https://triwest.healthsparq.com/healthsparq/public/ #/one/city=&state=&postalCode=&country=&insurerCode=TRIWEST_I&brandCode=TRIWEST

Both emergency rooms and urgent care clinics can help you with a medical issue. But they’re different and serve your needs in different ways. When you or a family member needs medical care quickly,

09/15/2025

Do you need to take action on your referrals? Read this article from TRICARE to determine if you do.

Are you a TRICARE Prime beneficiary living in the West Region? Are you currently using a referral to get specialty care? If you used the West Region referral approval waiver to see a specialist

09/02/2025

Su***de Prevention Month
September is Su***de Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness, break the stigma, and reinforce our commitment to mental health support—especially within the military community. For Airmen, su***de prevention is not just about crisis intervention; it's a critical part of sustaining force resilience, mission focus, and personal readiness. Every Airman matters, and supporting mental well-being is a shared responsibility across leadership, peers, families, and the health care system.
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Understanding the Impact of Su***de in the Military
• Su***de is a leading cause of death among service members, particularly in young adults aged 18–34.
• Contributing Factors can include:
o Operational stress and high-tempo environments
o Transition challenges (e.g., PCS, deployments, separation)
o Relationship, financial, or legal struggles
o Undiagnosed or untreated mental health conditions
• Stigma and silence often prevent individuals from seeking help early.
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Warning Signs to Watch For
• Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Withdrawal from friends, family, or duties
• Changes in mood, sleep, or behavior
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Talking about death or giving away possessions
Recognizing these signs—and taking them seriously—can save a life.
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Resources That Support Resilience and Readiness

1. 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline
• Call or text 988 or chat via 988lifeline.org
• Available 24/7, confidential, and free
• Specialized support for Veterans and service members—press 1 after dialing 988
• Offers help for those in distress and guidance for those supporting others
2. Military Health System (MHS)
• Provides integrated behavioral health services for all branches
• Offers access to chaplains, military family life counselors (MFLCs), and mental health professionals
• Encourages early engagement for stress management, anxiety, and depression
3. TRICARE Mental Health Services
• Covers mental health evaluations, outpatient therapy, inpatient care, and substance use treatment
• No referral needed for the first 8 outpatient mental health visits per year (for most plans)
• Accessible through military treatment facilities (MTFs) and TRICARE network providers
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The Importance of Resilience and Readiness for Airmen
• Mental fitness = mission readiness
o Unaddressed mental health challenges can impair decision-making, reaction time, and operational performance.
• Supportive environments strengthen the force
o A culture of openness, empathy, and support helps Airmen feel connected and empowered.
• Resilience is built, not born
o Preventive care, peer support, and access to mental health services allow Airmen to bounce back from adversity and stay mission-focused.
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Su***de Prevention Month is more than a campaign—it's a call to action. Every Airman plays a role in fostering a culture of support, connection, and care. Promoting awareness, encouraging open conversations, and connecting to resources like 988, MHS, and TRICARE are vital steps toward ensuring our Airmen stay mentally strong, resilient, and ready to serve.
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Learn More Below
• https://988lifeline.org/
• https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Mental/GettingMHCare
• https://www.health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Mental-Health