How to use the VA Foreign Medical Program (FMP) — care outside the U.S. for service-connected conditions
The Foreign Medical Program (FMP) pays for medically necessary care that a veteran receives outside the United States for a VA-rated, service-connected disability, for a condition VA determines aggravates a service-connected disability, or for care needed to take part in the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program. There is no network, no referral and no prior authorization: you may choose any licensed provider in the country where you live or travel. Your FMP benefits letter on VA.gov lists the covered conditions and tells the provider how to bill VA; if the provider does not file, you pay and file a claim with VA Form 10-7959f-2 within two years. FMP does not cover care in the U.S., its territories or Puerto Rico.
What you'll need
- A VA.gov sign-in to download your FMP benefits letter (My VA → Letters)
- VA Form 10-7959f-2 (FMP Claim Cover Sheet) for claims the provider does not file
- Itemized bills showing the provider's full name, medical title, office and billing address and phone, the conditions treated and the dates; proof of payment
- Discharge summary or operation report for inpatient care; prescriptions and receipts for devices, supplies and medicines
- A U.S. bank account on file with VA for direct deposit (international accounts receive a U.S. Treasury check)
Step-by-step
Step 1: Confirm what FMP covers
Covered: medically necessary outpatient, inpatient, emergency and urgent care, prescribed medical equipment and supplies including prosthetics, skilled nursing care, physical therapy and FDA-approved prescription medicines — for your VA-rated service-connected disabilities, for conditions VA finds aggravate them (for example depression associated with service-connected PTSD), and for care needed to participate in VR&E. Not covered: anything unrelated to a service-connected disability, experimental care, long-term nursing home or assisted living care, non-medical home care, luxury equipment, health club memberships, family planning and sterilization, travel costs, care in the U.S. or its territories, and mail-order medicines from the U.S.
Reference: https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-care-through-the-foreign-medical-program/
Step 2: Download your FMP benefits letter
If you have a VA-rated service-connected disability you are already eligible. Sign in to VA.gov, select Letters from the My VA menu, go to Benefit letters and documents, and review, download or print your FMP benefits letter. It lists the conditions FMP covers and explains how your provider can file claims directly with VA. Share it with the provider.
Reference: https://www.va.gov/health-care/foreign-medical-program/
Step 3: Get care from any licensed provider
Choose any licensed health care provider in the foreign country; no referral or prior authorization is needed. If you are unsure whether a treatment is covered, ask an FMP representative through Ask VA before the visit. Exception: VR&E participants need a referral from their VR&E case manager before receiving care abroad for a non-service-connected disability. Documents in English speed processing — VA translates other languages, which adds time.
Step 4: If the provider does not file, file the claim yourself
Within two years of the date of care (or of hospital discharge), send VA Form 10-7959f-2 with an itemized bill and proof of payment, plus a discharge summary or operation report for inpatient care, the prescription for devices or supplies, and the prescription and pharmacy receipt for medicines. File online at VA.gov, email HAC.FMP@va.gov, fax, or mail to VHA Office of Integrated Veteran Care, Foreign Medical Program (FMP), PO Box 200, Spring City, PA 19475.
Reference: https://www.va.gov/health-care/file-foreign-medical-program-claim/
Step 5: Payment, appeals and contact
VA converts the amount to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the date of care and deposits it to the U.S. bank account on file, or mails a U.S. Treasury check. If VA denies a claim you may appeal within one year by letter to VHA Office of Integrated Veteran Care, Appeals, PO Box 600, Spring City, PA 19475, with any new supporting documents. Questions: Ask VA online, HAC.FMP@va.gov (no sensitive personal or health information by email), or 877-345-8179 (select 3; TTY 711), Monday–Friday 8:05 a.m.–6:45 p.m. ET; toll-free numbers also exist from Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Reference: https://www.va.gov/health-care/file-foreign-medical-program-claim/
Critical tips
- Keep your VA.gov contact information current — the FMP letter and your payment both depend on your profile.
- FMP covers dental care only to treat a service-connected disability, or within 90 days of discharge if your DD-214 does not show a complete dental exam and treatment.
- FMP cannot cover care in a country that does not accept U.S. Treasury checks or does not allow travel by U.S. citizens.
- The Veterans Crisis Line works from abroad: dial 988 then press 1 from a U.S. line, text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net.