How Veterans Can Travel With Health Concerns

I know a great many of us got the “Itchy Feet” to travel when we joined up and for many we still have the need to scratch those itches periodically. For me, it came 25 years after discharge. I wanted to see how Thailand had changed after my tour in 71-72. That itch also came with some concerns. I had developed some health issues…specifically; I had a heart attack at age 48.

I wanted to go back to Thailand but also wanted to be sure I had bases covered should something occur. I invested in a medical evacuation policy that would get me stateside if need be. I also had another ace in the hole that most veterans are not aware exists.

Many of you may have heard this term but I am guessing far more have not. The FMP or Foreign Medical Program is a program operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It’s for the benefit of all eligible Veterans who travel or (like me) reside outside the U.S., Guam or Puerto Rico…and maybe some other locales too. The Foreign Medical Program is a reimbursement program. Its aim is to allow Veterans “to receive care for your service connected conditions only” when traveling abroad or as I alluded to, residing OCONUS.

If you have the urge, you can now travel knowing that you won’t be on the hook for a big hospital bill if something happens. The FMP is not like the VA stateside and other places mentioned above. The FMP will reimburse you only for those items for which you have a rated service connection. I won’t go into all the specifics here but you can look it up and register online.

The thing to remember is that you must be prepared to pay for any services up front and then submit the bills for reimbursement.* Is it a cure all to worry free travel abroad after discharge or retirement? No, but it can help make the decision to travel a bit easier to make.