Foreign Medical Program
For Veterans living or traveling in a foreign country.
Eligibility
Have a Service-connected disability;
OR
Be participating in Veteran Readiness and Employment while overseas.
NOTE:
The Veteran does NOT need to be enrolled in VA Health Care.
How to Enroll
Fill out the FMP Registration Form VA Form 10-7959f-1.
Mail to:
VHA Office of Community Care Foreign Medical Program (FMP) P.O. Box 469061 Denver, CO 80246-9061 USA
VA will then confirm your service-connected disabilities and send you a benefits authorization letter, which outlines the medical conditions covered.
Coverage
Generally, as long as the service is medically necessary for the treatment of a service-connected disability it will be covered.
NOTES:
Services MUST be accepted by VA and the U.S. medical community, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Medical Association.
For those in VR&E:
You may be entitled to medical and dental services on an “as-needed basis.”
Because the medical and dental services may be for nonservice-connected disabilities, Veterans MUST see their VA case manager for a referral authorizing these services! The referral should include a specific treatment plan and should be signed and dated by the case manager. Without the referral, payments will NOT be authorized.
FMP will need the beginning and ending dates of your Chapter 31 enrollment to determine eligibility.
Things generally covered
Here is a non exhaustive list of things that are covered:
Durable medical equipment and prosthetic items;
Emergency services;
Hospitalization;
Medications for service-connected disabilities (must be FDA approved);
Outpatient care;
Physical therapy (must be under supervision of a licensed physician); and
Skilled nursing care.
Explicitly NOT covered
Any service, procedure, treatment, drug or device that is experimental;
Adult day care;
Assisted living;
Custodial care;
Companion services
Dental care (unless service-connected);
Durable medical equipment with deluxe/luxury features;
Exams in conjunction for claim purposes (outside the VA themselves authorizing an exam);
Exercise programs and health club memberships;
Family planning services and sterilization;
Nursing homes;
Non-acute institutional care (long-term inpatient psychiatric care);
Nonmedical home care (aid and attendance);
Physical therapy (not under the supervision of a licensed physician); and
Procedures, services or supplies related to gender transformations.
Other things NOT covered
Late charges on unpaid bills;
Check-cashing fees;
Postage;
Services as part of a grant, study or research program;
Services furnished or billed by a barred provider or facility;
Services that are not accepted by the VA or U.S. medical community; and
Travel to and from treatment.
Finding a Healthcare Provider
Under FMP, you may elect any health care provider who is licensed to provide the medical services you require.
It is recommend but not required, that providers have the ability to produce their medical documentation and billing statements in English.
If documentation in the original language is submitted to FMP it may delay claims processing. Regardless of language, all documentation and billing statements must be legible.
Pre-Authorization
Pre-Authorization in advance of obtaining FMP health care services for VA-rated, service-connected disabilities is NOT necessary!
HOWEVER, those who are in VR&E MUST receive pre-authorization!
Cost
Ultimately FREE.
However, you may pay the provider and then file for FMP payment by submitting the bill and medical documentation to FMP. Or your provider, if willing, may submit the bill and medical documentation for direct payment by FMP.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The VA is NOT responsible for any late fees you may incur due to delays in payment, even if you are not at fault!
Filing a Claim
Remember to keep a copy of all claims you submit!!!
Fill and complete VA Form 10-7959f-2. Ensure you provide all the requested additional paperwork in Section II!
NOTE:
Claims should be submitted no later than 2 years from the date of service or, in the case of inpatient care, within 2 years of the discharge date. Because claims received after the filing deadline could be denied on the basis that they were not filed in a timely manner, we strongly suggest that claims be submitted on a weekly or monthly basis.
FMP Contact Information
FMP Office, USA
Mail:
VHA Office of Community Care Foreign Medical Program (FMP) P.O. Box 469061 Denver, CO 80246-9061 USAFax: 303-331-7803
Phone: 877-345-8179
Email: hac.fmp@va.gov
Toll-free Phone Service
If you are traveling or living overseas in one of the following countries, you can call toll free:
Germany 0800-1800-011 Australia 1-800-354-965 Italy 1-800-782-655 United Kingdom (England and Scotland) 0800-032-7425 Mexico 001-877-345-8179 Japan 00531-13-0871 Costa Rica 0800-013-0759 Spain 900-981-776
Frequently Asked Questions
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Veterans with a service-connected disability who are simply traveling abroad do not need to notify FMP. Veterans who are permanently relocating to a country under the FMP’s jurisdiction are encouraged to notify VHA OCC upon establishing a permanent foreign mailing address.
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No. Please sign up for VA health care (if not done so previously).
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No.