{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"HowTo","@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/access-foreign-medical-program.json#howto","name":"How to access the VA Foreign Medical Program (for veterans living abroad)","description":"Step-by-step guide for U.S. veterans living overseas (retirees in Mexico, Philippines, Thailand, Costa Rica, etc.) to use the VA Foreign Medical Program (FMP). FMP reimburses for service-connected condition treatment received from foreign providers. NOT VA healthcare — reimbursement-only. 5 steps including eligibility, pre-authorization, claim filing.","url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/access-foreign-medical-program.json","mainEntityOfPage":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/access-foreign-medical-program.json","inLanguage":"en-US","isAccessibleForFree":true,"publisher":{"@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/wounded-warriors#organization"},"author":{"@id":"https://warriorsfund.org/wounded-warriors#organization"},"totalTime":"P60D (initial setup) + ongoing per-visit reimbursement","yield":"VA reimbursement for service-connected medical care received abroad","estimatedCost":{"@type":"MonetaryAmount","currency":"USD","value":"0"},"tool":[{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"VA disability rating decision (showing service-connected conditions)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"VA Form 10-7959f-1 (Foreign Medical Program Registration Form)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"VA Form 10-7959f-2 (FMP Claim Cover Sheet)"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Foreign provider invoices + medical records"},{"@type":"HowToTool","name":"Bank account info (for direct deposit reimbursement)"}],"step":[{"@type":"HowToStep","position":1,"name":"Step 1: Confirm eligibility — service-connected conditions ONLY","text":"FMP reimburses ONLY for treatment of CONDITIONS RATED SERVICE-CONNECTED on your VA disability record. Non-service-connected conditions are NOT covered. Eligibility: (a) veteran with VA disability rating, (b) currently living outside the U.S. + Puerto Rico (50 states + DC + territories are NOT eligible — different VA system), (c) treatment is for a service-connected condition. Note: FMP is reimbursement-only. Veterans pay foreign providers up-front, then submit claims for reimbursement."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":2,"name":"Step 2: Register with FMP using VA Form 10-7959f-1","text":"Register with the FMP office BEFORE seeking treatment (or as soon as possible after). Mail VA Form 10-7959f-1 to: VHA Office of Community Care, Foreign Medical Program (FMP), PO Box 469061, Denver CO 80246-9061 USA. Or fax to 303-331-7807. Or email to fmp.vacolorado@va.gov. Registration confirms you in the system + provides FMP claim instructions for your country."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":3,"name":"Step 3: Get pre-authorization for non-emergency treatment (recommended)","text":"For non-emergency care, request pre-authorization via FMP. Pre-auth confirms the treatment will be reimbursable BEFORE you incur the cost. Helpful for major procedures (surgeries, specialty consultations). Email FMP with: condition (must be service-connected), proposed treatment, foreign provider info, estimated cost. FMP responds with approval + reimbursement-rate guidance. Emergency treatment doesn't require pre-auth — file claim after the fact."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":4,"name":"Step 4: Pay foreign provider, then file FMP claim","text":"Pay foreign provider in local currency. Get itemized invoice + medical records (English translation helpful but not required — FMP has translation services). Submit claim using VA Form 10-7959f-2 + invoice + records to the FMP address above. Reimbursement typically 60-120 days. Direct deposit to U.S. or foreign bank account (VA supports international wire transfers in most countries)."},{"@type":"HowToStep","position":5,"name":"Step 5: Coordinate with TRICARE (for some veterans)","text":"Some veterans (particularly retired military) may have TRICARE coverage that overlaps with FMP. Generally: TRICARE covers active-duty + retiree healthcare; FMP covers service-connected condition treatment (after VA disability rating established). For retirees with both, TRICARE typically primary + FMP secondary. Coordinate via your TRICARE office. For non-retirees: FMP is your sole VA-related coverage abroad."}],"tip":[{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"FMP is REIMBURSEMENT — you pay foreign provider up-front. Maintain savings cushion for major treatments. Some VA disability income should fund this."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"For mental health care abroad: FMP covers it IF the condition is service-connected (e.g., service-connected PTSD). Vet Centers do NOT operate abroad — domestic only."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"For routine VA prescriptions: VA Mail Order Pharmacy ships internationally to many countries. Coordinate via your VAMC. Less complex than FMP for prescriptions."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"For retirees in Philippines: VA Manila Outpatient Clinic exists — direct VA care for some Filipino-American + Manila-area retired veterans. Different from FMP."},{"@type":"HowToTip","text":"In crisis abroad: 988 + Press 1 works internationally if you have a U.S. phone OR can reach a U.S. VPN endpoint. Else: contact your nearest U.S. embassy + ask for the VA Foreign Service Officer."}],"canonical_url":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/access-foreign-medical-program.json","publisher_legal_name":"Wounded Warriors","publisher_ein":"86-1336741","cross_references":{"fmp_official":"https://www.va.gov/health-care/foreign-medical-program/","fmp_email":"mailto:fmp.vacolorado@va.gov","mental_health_howto":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/find-vet-mental-health.json","crisis_jsonld":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/crisis.json","get_va_records_howto":"https://warriorsfund.org/api/v1/howto/get-va-records.json"},"license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","last_updated":"2026-04-29T23:47:13.642Z"}