US Veterans Affairs Medical Program (FMP)

[Philippine Paul]

The Foreign Medical Program (FMP) is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care benefits program for U.S. Veterans who are "residing" or "traveling abroad" and have "VA-Rated, Service-Connected Disabilities (SCDs). Under FMP, VA assumes payment responsibility for certain necessary health care services received in foreign countries and associated with the treatment of service-connected disabilities, or any disability associated with and held to be aggravating a service-connected condition. Additionally, VA may authorize necessary foreign medical services for any condition for a Veteran participating in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program (38 U.S.C. 31). For more information, to include submitting claims for reimbursement, please visit here: https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/fmp/index.asp 

 

For those Veterans that have decided to retire here to the Philippines, it has been highly suggested that prior to your departure from the U.S. or Military Service, that you sign-up for FMP at least 90-days prior to your arrival. FMP will in-turn generate a FMP Benefits Authorization Letter back to yourself via email with a hard copy mailed to yourself.

 

There are two separate ways that FMP works here in the Philippines:

 

a. For those Veterans with SCDs that reside on or close to Luzon (to include Iloilo City), all you need to do is provide a copy of the FMP Benefits Authorization Letter to an FMP Approved Medical Care Facility on or near Luzon (to include IloIlo City).  The Admission Section will verify that what you are being seen for, is listed on the FMP Benefits Authorization Letter and, then will admit you for whatever you are asking to be seen for.  Upon being discharged from the FMP Approved Medical Care Facility, it's their responsibility to file a claim for reimbursement with the VA.

 

b. For those that live elsewhere, you won't need to provide a copy of the FMP Benefits Authorization Letter to any Philippine Medical Care Facility.  All you'll need to do, is ensure that you have a High Credit Card Limit (on whichever Credit Card that you may have in your possession) or, substantial Cash Available to pay for the Medical Services that you require for any SCDs.  Upon being discharged, it's your responsibility to accumulate all receipts for medical care services rendered, pay the final bill and, then file a claim with FMP for full reimbursement via email at: hac.fmp@va.gov  (NOTE: Even though FMP is part of the VA, FMP is NOT currently set up for Direct Deposit.  Thus, they'll issue you a U.S. Treasury Check and, then it's your responsibility to decide how you wish to proceed with the depositing of the U.S. Treasury Refund Check.  Either deposit the check into a U.S. Dollar Account with a Philippine Bank that you are affiliated with, wait the approximate necessary 26-days for the check to clear and, then be charged for any additional fees that the Philippine Bank will charge you, with you receiving whatever is left. However, if you bank with a U.S. Financial Institution (like I do), then certain U.S. Financial Institutions will normally have an APP, which allows you to take a photo of the U.S. Treasury Check (front and back) with your signature on the check, with a Cell Phone that you can send back to the U.S. Financial Institution for Direct Deposit.)  

 

Here is a current list (provided by the Manila VA Out-Patient Clinic Manager) of FMP Approved Medical Care Facilities on Luzon and Iloilo City:

• Divine Grace Medical Center - Cavite, Philippines
• Manila Doctors Hospital - Manila, Philippines
• Unihealth Baypointe Hospital - Olongapo, Philippines
• Sacred Heart Medical Center - Angeles City, Philippines
• The Medical City Clark - Angeles City, Philippines
• The Medical City, Iloilo - Iloilo, Philippines
• Avitus Kidney Care and Dialysis Center - Olongapo, Philippines
• D&A Care – Physical Therapy - Metro Manila, Philippines
• Manila Hearing Aid Company - 14 locations
• Asian Hospital Medical Center - Alabang, Philippines

 

 

 

 

Edited December 2, 2020 by Old55
Title edit to clarify topic

[Philippine Paul]

Old55, why would you change the name to read US Veterans Affairs Medical Program (FMP), as what has been posted by the Manila VA Out-Patient Clinic Manager, it clearly states "Foreign Medical Program (FMP)" and NOT US Veterans Affairs Medical Program (FMP)!!!  Do you get semi-monthly notifications like I do from the Manila VA OPC because I do!!!

[scott h]

1 hour ago, Philippine Paul said:

why would you change the name

I will take a stab at why Paul, we have retired members from other militaries besides the US....best to avoid the slightest chance of confusion 

[Old55]

No offense Paul it's just as Scott said.

Your information is very helpful and detailed thank you for that. 

We do have a number of service members from countries other than US want to be specific and also respectful of their service. 

Edited December 2, 2020 by Old55

[Yeochief]

Got my email on 3 December 2020 showing I was approved.