28th Medical Group Ellsworth AFB: TRICARE Guide 2026
The 28th Medical Group (28 MDG) at Ellsworth Air Force Base provides primary healthcare and outpatient services to active duty members, their families, and retirees in the Rapid City, South Dakota area. While it does not offer emergency services or inpatient care, it serves as the central hub for TRICARE Prime enrollments and specialist referrals in the Black Hills region.
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## Quick answer The 28th Medical Group at Ellsworth AFB functions as a community-based outpatient clinic for active duty personnel and TRICARE Prime beneficiaries. It offers primary care, dental (for active duty), pediatrics, and pharmacy services, but lacks an Emergency Room. For urgent needs or specialty care not available on-base, beneficiaries are referred to civilian networks managed by TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
In detail
The 28th Medical Group operates under the "Airman Clinic" and "Family Health" models, ensuring mission readiness for the 28th Bomb Wing while managing the health of the local beneficiary population.
### Available Services * **Primary Care:** Family Health, Pediatrics, and Flight Medicine. * **Pharmacy:** Located on-base with a drive-thru option for refills. * **Laboratory & Radiology:** Basic diagnostic imaging (X-ray) and blood work. * **Mental Health:** Solutions for active duty performance and family counseling. * **Dental:** Comprehensive care for **Active Duty ONLY**. Family members and retirees must use the TRICARE Dental Program (United Concordia) or the FEDVIP program.
### T-5 Contract and the West Region As of 2026, Ellsworth AFB falls under the TRICARE West Region, managed by **TriWest Healthcare Alliance**. If the 28 MDG cannot provide a specific service (such as surgery, oncology, or labor and delivery), they will issue a referral to a network provider in the Rapid City area.
### 2026 Costs and Access Costs depend on your plan and beneficiary category. * **Active Duty:** Always $0 out-of-pocket for all care at 28 MDG or via referral. * **TRICARE Prime (Active Duty Family Members):** $0 for covered services at the 28 MDG. No enrollment fees in 2026. * **TRICARE Select (Group A Retirees):** * Annual Deductible: $150 individual / $300 family (2026 rates). * Primary Care Copay (Network): ~$35–$40 per visit (varies by year). * **Pharmacy:** $0 for generic and brand-name drugs at the 28 MDG pharmacy. If using the Express Scripts mail-order or retail network, standard 2026 copays apply (e.g., $16 for a 90-day generic via mail).
### After-Hours Care Because there is no Emergency Room at Ellsworth AFB, beneficiaries must: 1. **Life/Limb/Sight Emergency:** Call 911 or go to the nearest civilian ER (typically Monument Health Rapid City Hospital). 2. **Urgent Care:** Active Duty members **must** have a referral for urgent care. Dependents on TRICARE Prime can typically use a network Urgent Care center without a referral, but should contact the Nurse Advice Line (1-800-TRICARE) first.
## Who this applies to * **Active Duty Airmen:** Required to receive all primary care at 28 MDG and require referrals for all outside care. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFMs):** Can enroll in TRICARE Prime to receive priority care at 28 MDG with $0 copays. * **Retirees and their Families:** May be seen at 28 MDG on a space-available basis, though most are managed via TRICARE Select through civilian providers in Rapid City. * **National Guard/Reserve:** Members on active duty orders for more than 30 days are treated as active duty.
Common scenarios
**Scenario 1: Active Duty Pharmacy Refill** Technical Sergeant Smith needs a blood pressure refill. He uses the automated refill line. He picks it up at the 28 MDG Pharmacy for **$0**. If he had used a civilian retail pharmacy like Walgreens, he would have paid the 2026 retail copay of approximately **$48** for a 30-day supply of a brand-name drug.
**Scenario 2: Dependent Pediatric Care** A spouse enrolled in TRICARE Prime brings their toddler to 28 MDG Pediatrics for a wellness check. The cost is **$0**. Later, the child needs a specialist for asthma. The 28 MDG provider issues a referral to a civilian specialist in Rapid City. Because the family is on Prime and has a referral, the specialist visit is also **$0**.
**Scenario 3: Retiree Using TRICARE Select** A retired Master Sergeant living in Box Elder uses TRICARE Select. He chooses to see a doctor at Monument Health rather than trying for a space-available slot at Ellsworth. He pays his **$150 annual deductible** (2026 rates), then pays a **fixed copay** (per the 2026 rate schedule) for each primary care visit.
## Related terms * **MTF (Military Medical Treatment Facility):** A base clinic or hospital, like the 28 MDG. * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance:** The current 2026 contractor for the TRICARE West Region. * **PCM (Primary Care Manager):** Your assigned doctor at Ellsworth or in the network who coordinates all your care. * **Nurse Advice Line (NAL):** A 24/7 toll-free service to help determine if you need an ER, urgent care, or a base appointment. * **T-5 Contract:** The fifth generation of TRICARE contracts which transitioned the West region to TriWest on Jan 1, 2025.
## Sources * **Ellsworth AFB 28th Medical Group:** [https://ellsworth.tricare.mil/](https://ellsworth.tricare.mil/) * **TRICARE West Region (TriWest):** [https://www.triwest.com/](https://www.triwest.com/) * **TRICARE Official Site:** [https://www.tricare.mil/](https://www.tricare.mil/) * **Express Scripts Pharmacy:** [https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/](https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/)