--- title: "FMP Myths vs. Reality: What the VA Actually Says" description: "Six common FMP myths corrected with direct VA quotes. No provider network, no pre-authorization, no minimum disability rating." date: "2026-03-20" author: "David Gómez" category: "fmp-process" url: "https://raquelmejia.com/en/blog/fmp-myths-vs-reality" lang: "en" alternate: "https://raquelmejia.com/es/blog/mitos-del-fmp.md" --- Veterans living abroad hear a lot of claims about how the Foreign Medical Program works -- who you can see, what you need before treatment, whether your country qualifies. Much of it is wrong. This guide puts six common FMP myths next to what the VA actually says, with direct quotes and source links so you can verify everything yourself. This is general information, not legal or medical advice. FMP policies can change, so always confirm current details at [va.gov](https://www.va.gov/health-care/foreign-medical-program/). ## Myth: FMP Has Certified or Approved Providers **You may have heard** that certain clinics are "VA-certified," "FMP-approved," or "preferred" FMP providers. **What the VA says:** The [VA Fact Sheet 04-20](https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/docs/pubfiles/factsheets/FactSheet_04-20.pdf) states directly: "FMP does not have contract providers." The VA's [Getting Care Through FMP](https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-care-through-the-foreign-medical-program/) page adds: "You can choose any licensed health care provider in the foreign country where you live or travel. You don't need a referral." **What this means for you:** Any entity claiming to be "VA-certified" for FMP is making a statement with no basis in VA policy. No such designation exists, as of 2026. You choose your own provider. ## Myth: You Need Pre-Authorization Before Treatment **You may have heard** that you must get VA approval before receiving treatment under FMP. **What the VA says:** The [VA Provider Information page](https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/providers/info-Foreign-Medical-Program.asp) is explicit: "FMP is unable to issue preauthorization for foreign medical services." The [Getting Care Through FMP](https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-care-through-the-foreign-medical-program/) page confirms: "You don't need to get authorization (approval) for care." **What this means for you:** You receive care first and file claims afterward. The VA does offer a voluntary **treatment predetermination screening** through the [Ask VA](https://ask.va.gov/) system -- this gives you a sense of whether a planned treatment will likely be covered. It is a planning tool, not a gatekeeper. You do not need it to proceed. ## Myth: FMP Only Covers Certain Countries **You may have heard** that FMP is limited to specific countries, or that Colombia might not qualify. **What the VA says:** The [VA Community Care FMP page](https://www.va.gov/communitycare/programs/veterans/fmp/) lists eligible regions including "South America" -- which includes Colombia. The only exclusions are countries that do not accept U.S. Treasury checks or do not allow U.S. citizen travel (functionally, countries under U.S. sanctions). **What this means for you:** Colombia is fully eligible for FMP. As of 2026, the VA plans to transition FMP to a new claims system in **July 2026** that will support direct deposit payments, which may further improve access. ## Myth: You Need a Minimum Disability Rating **You may have heard** that you need a 30%, 50%, or some other minimum rating to qualify for FMP. **What the VA says:** The eligibility requirement is a "VA-rated, service-connected disability" -- no minimum percentage. The federal regulation [38 CFR 17.35](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-17/subject-group-ECFR9f304a469572619/section-17.35) requires only that care be "necessary for treatment of a service-connected disability." A [2025 GAO report](https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-107149) confirmed: "Disability percentages have no bearing on determining eligibility for Foreign Medical Program services." **What this means for you:** If you have any VA-rated service-connected condition, you may be eligible for FMP coverage for treatment of that specific condition. A veteran rated at 10% for a knee injury can use FMP for knee-related physical therapy abroad. ## Myth: You Must Always Pay Out of Pocket First **You may have heard** that FMP always requires you to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement. **What the VA says:** The [VA FMP Claims page](https://www.va.gov/health-care/file-foreign-medical-program-claim/) (updated February 2026) states: "If your provider files your FMP claim for you, we'll pay them directly for the cost of your service-connected care." Veterans can also pay first and file for reimbursement -- both paths are supported. **What this means for you:** Ask your provider whether they submit FMP claims directly. Many do. One honest caveat: a [2025 GAO report](https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-107149) found that only **37% of FMP claims met the 45-day processing target** in FY2024. Processing delays are real, and some providers have stopped accepting direct billing because of them. The VA's planned July 2026 system transition aims to improve this. ## Myth: FMP Is the Same as TRICARE Overseas **You may have heard** that FMP and TRICARE Overseas are interchangeable or closely related. **What the VA says:** The [VA Provider Information page](https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/providers/info-Foreign-Medical-Program.asp) addresses this directly: "There is no relationship to CHAMPUS/TRICARE." The differences are fundamental: | | FMP | TRICARE Overseas | | --------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | | **Run by** | VA | Department of Defense | | **Who qualifies** | Veterans with service-connected disabilities | Active duty, retirees, dependents | | **What it covers** | Service-connected conditions only | Comprehensive healthcare | | **Provider network** | None -- any licensed provider | Yes -- International SOS directory | | **Pre-authorization** | Not required; cannot be issued | Required for some services | | **Cost to veteran** | $0 for covered care | Deductibles, copays, cost-shares | A veteran who is both a military retiree and has a service-connected disability rating could potentially use both programs for different categories of care, but the programs are entirely separate. ## What to Watch For - **"Certified" or "approved" provider claims.** If a provider says they are VA-certified for FMP, that claim has no basis in VA policy. You can verify this yourself on [va.gov](https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/docs/pubfiles/factsheets/FactSheet_04-20.pdf). - **Pressure to skip documentation.** FMP claims require specific paperwork. If anyone discourages you from keeping your own copies of medical records and billing statements, that is a red flag. - **Confusion between FMP and TRICARE.** They are different programs with different rules. Make sure you -- and your provider -- know which one applies to your situation. - **Outdated information.** FMP policies evolve. The July 2026 claims system transition will change how payments work. Always verify current rules at [va.gov](https://www.va.gov/health-care/foreign-medical-program/). ## Sources - [VA Foreign Medical Program](https://www.va.gov/health-care/foreign-medical-program/) -- main program page - [Getting Care Through the Foreign Medical Program](https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-care-through-the-foreign-medical-program/) -- eligibility, provider choice, no pre-authorization - [VA Fact Sheet 04-20](https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/docs/pubfiles/factsheets/FactSheet_04-20.pdf) -- no contract providers - [VA Community Care: FMP](https://www.va.gov/communitycare/programs/veterans/fmp/) -- geographic eligibility - [VA Provider Information for FMP](https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/providers/info-Foreign-Medical-Program.asp) -- no pre-authorization, no TRICARE relationship - [File a Foreign Medical Program Claim](https://www.va.gov/health-care/file-foreign-medical-program-claim/) -- direct provider billing and veteran filing - [38 CFR 17.35](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-17/subject-group-ECFR9f304a469572619/section-17.35) -- federal regulation, no minimum rating - [GAO-25-107149: Actions Needed to Improve the Foreign Medical Program](https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-107149) -- processing delays, no rating floor, program oversight - [VA News: FMP Claims Paid by Direct Deposit](https://news.va.gov/140421/fmp-claims-paid-by-direct-deposit/) -- no prior authorization, provider choice