Do I need to register first?
VA's 2026 guidance says eligible veterans no longer need to register separately before using FMP; the FMP benefits letter is available online.
VA health care abroad: understanding the Foreign Medical Program
Living outside the United States or taking a trip? VA's Foreign Medical Program (FMP) may cover medically necessary care you receive abroad for qualifying service-connected conditions. This guide helps you understand where to begin.
Important: FMP is not general international health insurance. Coverage is limited to qualifying care under VA rules. Confirm eligibility and covered services with VA before relying on reimbursement.
What can FMP cover?
VA explains that medically necessary treatment abroad may qualify when it is for a VA-rated service-connected disability, a qualifying associated condition that aggravates a service-connected disability, or certain care needed for participation in VR&E. Review the official rules for exclusions and exceptions.
Start here: your FMP checklist
- Check your VA benefits letter. Sign in to VA.gov, open your letters, and download your FMP benefits letter to see covered conditions.
- Choose a licensed provider abroad. Ask whether the provider will submit a claim directly to VA, or whether you will need to pay first and request reimbursement.
- Keep detailed records. Retain itemized bills, proof of payment, diagnosis and treatment information, and other documentation specified by VA.
- Use VA's filing guidance. Follow the current FMP claim instructions if the provider doesn't file for you.
Common questions
Can I visit any provider?
VA says you can choose a licensed provider in the country where you receive care. The care must still meet FMP coverage rules.
What about non-service-connected care?
Most unrelated conditions aren't covered. VA lists limited associated-condition and VR&E exceptions; some VR&E care requires a counselor's referral.
Two documents to bring to an overseas clinic
Some clinics ask for both an FMP benefits letter and a VA Rating Code Sheet. These documents have different purposes: the FMP letter is VA's standard statement of FMP-covered conditions; a rating code sheet shows detailed VA disability ratings and diagnostic codes. A clinic's request for a code sheet does not make it a universal FMP requirement.
1. Download your Foreign Medical Program (FMP) benefits letter
- Go to VA.gov's Download VA Benefit Letters page and sign in using your VA-supported sign-in method.
- From My VA, select Letters, then Benefit letters and documents.
- Choose Foreign Medical Program (FMP) enrollment, then download or print the letter.
- Review the service-connected conditions listed as covered and provide the letter to your overseas clinic when needed.
VA says eligible veterans no longer have to complete a separate FMP registration to obtain this letter. Official VA FMP instructions.
2. Request your VA Rating Code Sheet (diagnostic codes)
- Go to VA's personal records request page, or use VA Form 20-10206.
- Sign in and start a request for your own compensation and pension records; select Other compensation and pension records where appropriate.
- In the request details, write: “Please provide my most recent VA disability Rating Code Sheet, including each rated condition, VA diagnostic code, evaluation percentage, and effective date.”
- Submit the request through the VA's official process. Retain your confirmation and follow VA instructions for accessing the resulting records.
The rating code sheet isn't one of the standard instant-download letters. A records request may require processing time. If a clinic needs it urgently, ask VA or an accredited representative whether your current code sheet can be provided through an available records-access process.
Privacy: These documents contain sensitive disability information. Share them only with a clinic or professional that has a legitimate need for them. Vet Life 360 never asks you to upload these records.
Free printable FMP packet tools
These are unofficial Vet Life 360 organizational handouts, not government forms. You can print them or save them as PDF from your browser.
Build your overseas FMP care packet
Prepare this packet before a trip or appointment. These are practical preparation recommendations, not all mandatory attachments for every claim.
- FMP benefits letter: Download from VA.gov Benefits Letters. It identifies the conditions VA lists for FMP coverage.
- VA Rating Code Sheet: If a clinic requests diagnostic-code detail, request your current code sheet through VA's personal records process. This sheet is helpful background, but VA does not say every FMP claim must include one.
- Medical history: Bring relevant recent notes, treatment history, allergies, current medications and test results, stored securely.
- Provider instructions: Print or share the checklist below with the treating professional. Confirm whether the clinic will bill FMP directly or you will pay and seek reimbursement.
- Blank claim cover sheet: Keep the link to VA Form 10-7959f-2 and the current filing instructions.
For your treating physician or clinic in Peru
Tell the doctor which condition the VA has rated, then let the doctor independently evaluate and document the diagnosis and medical necessity. The VA's diagnostic codes and the clinician's coding system are not necessarily identical. A clinic should not simply copy codes or state a connection that medical findings do not support.
Provider checklist / Lista para la clínica:
- Provider's full name and professional title, office address and telephone number; billing address if different / Nombre completo, título profesional, dirección del consultorio, teléfono y dirección de facturación si es distinta.
- Each condition actually diagnosed and treated, with relevant clinical findings / Cada diagnóstico tratado y hallazgos clínicos pertinentes.
- Description of every service or medication, date and individual charge / Descripción de cada servicio o medicamento, fecha y monto individual.
- A clinical explanation of why the treatment relates to the documented service-connected condition, only when medically supported / Explicación clínica de la relación con la discapacidad reconocida por VA, solo cuando exista fundamento médico.
- Itemized invoice and paid receipt, if the veteran pays / Comprobante detallado de los servicios y recibo cancelado si paga el veterano.
Peru tip: Ask for an itemized factura or boleta plus a separately signed medical report if the receipt alone doesn't describe the diagnosis and each treatment. This is a practical documentation tip—not a special VA requirement for Peruvian tax documents.
After treatment: what VA needs for an FMP claim
- Determine who will submit the claim: a participating provider may submit to VA directly; otherwise pay and claim reimbursement.
- Use VA's current online or paper FMP claim process (including VA Form 10-7959f-2 if filing by paper).
- Attach the itemized provider statement with provider identity/contact details, diagnosis or conditions treated, dates, detailed services, and charges.
- If you've paid, attach a receipt or other proof of payment.
- For inpatient hospitalization, include the discharge summary, and an operative report if surgery occurred.
- For medical equipment/supplies, include the prescription, relevant condition, description and anticipated use; explain special modifications if applicable.
- For prescription medicines, include the prescription and pharmacy receipt showing pharmacy identity/contact, medication name, strength, dose, quantity, cost, date dispensed, related condition and provider signature as VA specifies.
- File within two years of the treatment date, or inpatient hospital discharge date. Keep copies of everything and the submission confirmation.
Do documents need translation?
No paid translation is generally required for FMP filing. VA says it translates claims and supporting documents submitted in languages other than English. Documents in English may reduce delays. Do not change, embellish, or backdate original clinical information.
Before relying on FMP coverage
FMP is not comprehensive travel insurance or routine coverage for unrelated illnesses or accidents. For uncertainty about whether planned care qualifies, consult official VA guidance and contact FMP. Most qualifying care does not need advance authorization; a VR&E-related non-service-connected exception can require a prior counselor referral. If you need urgent care, obtain appropriate medical attention rather than delaying treatment to assemble paperwork.
Contact FMP: HAC.FMP@va.gov for general claim questions (do not send sensitive health or identity information by regular email). Read the current VA claim page for secure submission channels.
Official VA resources
- Foreign Medical Program — eligibility, benefits letter, and claims
- Getting care through FMP — VA instructions
- Veterans living overseas — VA overview
Vet Life 360 is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.