How Veterans Can Travel With Health Concerns

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 10:37:17 -0500

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.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jan 23 at 2018 10:54 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 10:54:31 -0500

I'll save this one

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jan 23 at 2018 12:22 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 12:22:29 -0500

Good info. Thanks for sharing.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Jan 23 at 2018 12:42 PM

SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 12:42:58 -0500

SSgt Jim Gilmore Great information I was traveling a few years ago on business from Australia. On my way back I decided to stop in Manila to visit a friend of mine whom I was stationed with at Clark AB back in the day. I got the worst case of diarrhea I ever had in my life. Fortunately for me they have an VA outpatient clinic there in Manila that took care of me. Thanks for sharing I'll look into this program because I travel often OCONUS.

Peace!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2018 7:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 19:42:14 -0500

I would add that if a person chooses to travel overseas with their meds, make certain to check ahead that their meds are legal in the country they are visiting. For example, I know some prescription pain meds in the States are not legal in other countries regardless of whether they are prescription or not.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jan 29 at 2018 8:34 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 20:34:15 -0500

Great information. Thank you

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Jan 31 at 2018 12:00 AM

PO1 Kevin Dougherty — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 00:00:51 -0500

Wise words. I am an insurance agent specializing in life and health. I sell Medicare supplements etc, many of which include reimbursement for foreign travel emergencies. I always emphasize to my clients that the wise thing to do when traveling out of the country is to invest in travel insurance that will provide for emergency care and travel. Should a medical emergency happen, most policies I have looked at will provide for needed medical transportation back home.

Response by Sgt Tee Organ made Feb 2 at 2018 9:22 AM

Sgt Tee Organ — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 09:22:36 -0500

A good spray will help with that, and a change of socks every now and then too.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 10 at 2018 7:19 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 07:19:19 -0500

Thank you for the informative share.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2018 1:20 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 13:20:05 -0400

Great!

Response by MSgt Thomas Harriss made Mar 27 at 2018 4:42 PM

MSgt Thomas Harriss — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:42:16 -0400

Good article Jim for those of us that travel the world...

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Jul 13 at 2018 11:51 AM

LTC Jason Strickland — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 11:51:27 -0400

Here's the website for more information: https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/fmp/index.asp

index.asp

Response by 1SG John B. Enlow made Oct 29 at 2018 7:20 PM

1SG John B. Enlow — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 19:20:02 -0400

Great article, SSgt Gilmore. My wife and I travel quiet a bit since my retirement and plan on traveling to Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia this year. I had a heart attack this past December. I'm fine now, knock on wood, but my cardiologist is still concerned about healthcare available in these countries. Thanks for the heads up on the various programs available.

Response by PO2 Ron Lambertson made Jan 26 at 2020 2:13 AM

PO2 Ron Lambertson — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 02:13:14 -0500

When I travel outside conus, which is often, 2/3 times a year, I always buy travel insurance that covers medical and emergence evacuation home. It’s not expensive but comforting when you know your covered