Foreign Medical Program (FMP) — Veterans Living Abroad

The Foreign Medical Program (FMP) is a VA program that reimburses veterans for healthcare costs related to their service-connected conditions when they receive care outside the United States. It is authorized under 38 USC § 1724 and implemented through 38 CFR § 17.35.

FMP operates on a reimbursement model — you choose any licensed healthcare provider in the foreign country where you live or travel, pay the provider directly, and then submit a claim to VA for reimbursement.

You do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to register for FMP. No referrals are required, and no prior authorization is needed for most services.

FMP covers medically necessary services that meet at least one of these criteria:

• Service-connected disability: The care is for a VA-rated, service-connected disability.
• Associated conditions: The care is for a condition associated with a service-connected disability that VA determines makes the disability worse (for example, depression related to service-connected PTSD).
• VR&E participation: The care is part of treatment you are receiving as a participant in the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program (Chapter 31). VR&E participants needing non-service-connected care must get a referral from their case manager first.

Critical limitation: FMP only covers care received in a foreign country. It does not cover care or supplies obtained in or from the United States or U.S. territories.

Non-citizen veterans: Per 38 USC § 1724(b)(2), care for non-citizen veterans with service-connected disabilities is available in the Philippines and Canada. In other countries, care may be furnished at VA's discretion.

For service-connected conditions, FMP covers:

• Outpatient care
• Inpatient care
• Emergency and urgent care
• Physical therapy
• Skilled nursing care
• Prescription medicines approved by the FDA
• Medical equipment, devices, and supplies (including prosthetics)
• COVID-19 vaccines administered abroad
• Dental care when necessary to treat service-connected disabilities
• Dental treatment within 90 days of discharge if discharge records lack complete dental exam documentation

Excluded services:

• Care unrelated to service-connected disabilities
• Experimental treatments and medicines not approved by the FDA
• Long-term care in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or mental health residential facilities
• Gender-affirming care and family planning services
• Equipment with luxury features

Location and payment restrictions:

• U.S. states, territories, or Puerto Rico
• Countries not accepting U.S. Treasury checks
• Care furnished through a grant, study, or research program
• Travel expenses and administrative fees

There are three ways to register:

• Online: Through the VA.gov Foreign Medical Program registration portal
• By mail: Complete VA Form 10-7959f-1 and mail to the address below
• By fax: Submit the completed VA Form 10-7959f-1

Required information: Social Security number or VA claim number, and bank routing/account numbers if you want direct deposit reimbursement.

Mailing address:

VHA Office of Integrated Veteran Care
Foreign Medical Program (FMP)
PO Box 200
Spring City, PA 19475

After registration, VA will send you a benefits authorization letter listing your service-connected conditions that are covered under FMP.

Four ways to file:

• Online: File a claim through VA.gov
• Email: Submit VA Form 10-7959f-2 (FMP Claim Cover Sheet) with supporting documents to HAC.FMP@va.gov
• Mail (non-Canada care): VHA Office of Integrated Veteran Care, Foreign Medical Program (FMP), PO Box 200, Spring City, PA 19475
• Mail (Canada care): Foreign Countries Operations (FCO), 2323 Riverside Drive, 2nd Floor, Ottawa, Ontario Canada, K1A 0P5

Required documents:

• VA Form 10-7959f-2 (FMP Claim Cover Sheet)
• Itemized billing statement with provider's full name, medical title, office address, billing address, phone number, health conditions treated, and dates of care
• Proof of payment (receipt or marked statement)

Additional documents by care type:

• Hospital care: Discharge summary and operation report (if applicable)
• Medical devices/equipment: Prescription with device description, condition, and duration of use
• Prescription medicines: Prescription and pharmacy receipt with medicine details and related condition
• COVID-19 vaccines: Vaccine manufacturer name on itemized statement or receipt

Filing deadline: Claims must be filed within 2 years of receiving care or hospital discharge.

Reimbursement: VA deposits reimbursements via direct deposit to U.S. bank accounts. International bank accounts receive U.S. Treasury checks. Currency conversion uses the exchange rate on the date of care.

Appeals: You may request reconsideration within 1 year of the original decision by mailing to: VHA Office of Integrated Veteran Care, Appeals, PO Box 600, Spring City, PA 19475.

The VA Manila Outpatient Clinic in the Philippines is the only VA medical facility outside the United States.

Per 38 CFR § 17.35(b), VA may provide outpatient services at the Manila clinic for service-connected conditions. Non-service-connected conditions may also be treated within the limits of the clinic's capacity.

Veterans in the Philippines have access to both FMP reimbursement for care from local providers and direct care at the Manila clinic — making the Philippines one of the more accessible locations for veterans abroad.

FMP and TRICARE Overseas are different programs run by different agencies:

If you are eligible for TRICARE, your TRICARE coverage handles your general healthcare abroad. FMP is specifically for veterans who have separated from service and have VA-rated service-connected disabilities.

Beyond FMP, several VA benefits continue to work for veterans living outside the United States:

Disability Compensation & Pension

VA disability compensation and pension payments continue regardless of where you live. You will need a physical address for exam scheduling. Submit address changes via VA Form 21-4138 or VA.gov. For overseas claims support, call (412) 395-6272, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST.

Education Benefits (GI Bill Abroad)

Veterans may attend approved foreign schools if all three conditions are met:

• You qualify as a veteran, service member, Reservist, or eligible dependent
• The program grants a standard associate degree or higher (or equivalent)
• VA has approved the specific program

Which GI Bill chapters work abroad:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill: Covers tuition and fees, housing costs during enrollment, and books and supplies
• MGIB-AD (Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty): Monthly stipend
• MGIB-SR (Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve): Monthly stipend
• DEA (Chapter 35): Monthly stipend; DEA beneficiaries can access non-college degree programs at training locations in the Philippines only

Independent study and distance learning are not approved for foreign schools. Use the GI Bill Comparison Tool to verify program approval, or email federal.approvals@va.gov if a program is not yet approved. Learn more on our Education Benefits page.

Direct Deposit & Banking

VA payments can be deposited directly to foreign banks with no currency conversion fees from the U.S. Treasury (foreign banks may impose their own fees). For direct deposit support, call (918) 781-7550, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST, or email DIRECTD.VBAMUS@VA.GOV.

Other Benefits

• Housing: Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grants are available for disabled veterans abroad (improvements require VA pre-approval). Standard VA home loan guaranty is for properties in U.S. states and territories only. See our Adapted Housing guide.
• Life insurance: VA life insurance is payable overseas.
• Burial benefits: Burial benefits apply overseas.

Some VA services are limited to the United States:

• VA medical facilities: No VA hospitals or clinics outside the Philippines (Manila clinic only)
• Non-service-connected healthcare: FMP does not cover conditions unrelated to service-connected disabilities (exception: Manila clinic within its capacity)
• VA Community Care network: Not available outside the US
• VA long-term care: Nursing homes, assisted living, and mental health residential facilities are not covered abroad
• VA emergency care for non-SC conditions: Not covered abroad
• Standard VA home loans: For properties in U.S. states, territories, and possessions only (SAH grants are available abroad)
• Vet Centers: Not available abroad
• VA travel reimbursement: Travel expenses are not covered under FMP

If you move back to the United States, FMP will no longer cover your care — it only applies to care received in foreign countries. When you return:

• Update your address with VA as soon as possible through VA.gov or by calling 1-800-827-1000
• Enroll in VA healthcare if you are not already enrolled — visit our VA Healthcare guide for details
• Establish care at your local VA — find your nearest facility at VA.gov/find-locations
• If your local VA cannot provide timely care, you may be eligible for Community Care

• Email: HAC.FMP@va.gov (avoid sending sensitive personal or health information)
• Online: Ask VA portal
• Phone hours: Monday through Friday, 8:05 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. ET
• TTY: 711
• General VA overseas support: (412) 395-6272, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST

Country-Specific Toll-Free Numbers

For other countries, check the VA FMP page for the most current toll-free numbers, or contact VA through the Ask VA portal.

• VA Foreign Medical Program — Registration, eligibility, and program overview
• File an FMP Claim — Online claims portal
• Getting Care Through FMP — Detailed guide to covered services and claims process
• Benefits for Veterans Abroad — Overview of all VA benefits available overseas
• VA Form 10-7959f-1 — FMP Registration Form
• VA Form 10-7959f-2 — FMP Claim Cover Sheet
• Overseas Military Services Coordinators — Support contacts for veterans abroad