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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.
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.
Benefits
JBSA - Joint Base San Antonio
Vietnam War
Command Post
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 13
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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.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
Always carry meds in original containers. Having the written prescription for them could also be helpful! Better safe than sorry!
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PO1 Kevin Dougherty
Yes, there have been incidents where people have gotten into trouble for prescribed medications that were illegal where they were traveling.
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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!
Peace!
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
You travel w/o a basic load of Imodium? It is more compact than a cork!
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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.
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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.
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SSgt Jim Gilmore
1SG Enlow. I can tell you that health care in Vietnam is quite good in cities like Saigon and Hanoi. I cannot speak to other areas. Many of the MDs are trained in France. I cannot speak to Cambodia at all. As for Thailand, when you get ready to travel, let me know. There is a network of hospitals I have helped arrange that accept FMP for direct billing with no out of pocket to you for service connected conditions. Tricare is also accepted at many hospitals nationwide
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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
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