VA Foreign Medical Program
Physical Therapy for US Veterans Living Abroad
Expert rehabilitation in Colombia, fully covered by the VA. No referrals, no pre-authorization, no out-of-pocket costs for service-connected conditions.
Are You Eligible?
You likely qualify for VA-covered care abroad if any of the following apply:
- Service-connected disability.
- You have a VA-rated disability connected to your military service—any rating percentage qualifies.
- Secondary condition.
- You have a condition that aggravates or is caused by a service-connected disability.
- VR&E enrollment.
- You're enrolled in the VA's Veteran Readiness and Employment program.
If any of these apply, you're likely eligible for the Foreign Medical Program.
How FMP Works
The VA Foreign Medical Program reimburses service-connected care abroad. Here's what you need—and what we handle.
What You Provide
- FMP authorization letter.
- Lists your covered service-connected conditions.
- Rating decision letter.
- Your individual disability breakdown, if available.
- Physician referral for physical therapy.
- A prescription or referral from your treating physician.
- Basic contact info.
- Name, address, email, phone, and ID.
What We Handle
- All claims submission.
- We prepare and submit claims directly to the VA.
- Clinical documentation.
- Treatment records prepared in English per VA guidelines.
- FMP communication.
- We handle any follow-up with the FMP office.
- Treatment predetermination.
- We verify coverage before treatment via Ask VA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the VA Foreign Medical Program and care abroad.
About FMP Eligibility & Process
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No. FMP does not require referrals for service-connected care. You can see any licensed provider of your choosing without prior approval.
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No. Pre-authorization is not required for FMP. If you want confirmation that a specific treatment will be covered, we can request a treatment predetermination screening through Ask VA before starting care.
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FMP is a reimbursement program. We bill the VA directly and wait for payment—you pay nothing upfront and file no claims. Your covered care is free.
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FMP claims take 4-5 months to process. Since we bill the VA directly, this timeline affects us, not you—your care proceeds regardless of when we receive payment.
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Register online at VA.gov using Form 10-7959f-1. Your benefits authorization letter arrives within a few weeks. You can start treatment before registration completes—claims can be filed afterward within the two-year deadline.
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Your FMP authorization letter (listing covered conditions), photo ID, and contact information. Your VA rating decision letter helps if available, but we work with what you have.
Your Rights as an FMP Patient
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No. The FMP has no contract providers, no preferred networks, and no "official" clinics. Any licensed healthcare provider in your country of residence can submit claims to FMP. The VA explicitly states: "FMP does not have contract providers." You are free to choose any qualified provider who meets your needs.
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No. No clinic or institution can require you to receive all services in one place. You have the right to choose different providers for different services—one for primary care, another for physical therapy, another pharmacy, etc. FMP reimburses each provider independently. Your relationship with one provider does not obligate you to use that provider's network for everything else.
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No. Using multiple providers has no effect on your FMP eligibility or reimbursement. Each claim is evaluated independently based on whether the service treats a covered service-connected condition. The VA does not require—or even prefer—that you consolidate care with a single provider.
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There is no such designation. The VA does not certify, approve, or contract with specific foreign providers for FMP. Any claim that a clinic has special FMP status should be viewed skeptically. What matters is that the provider is licensed in their country and can document treatment for your service-connected conditions.
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You have the right to your medical records and the right to change providers at any time. If a provider makes it difficult to transfer care or access your records, this is a red flag. In Colombia, healthcare providers are legally required to provide patients access to their medical history upon request.
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In Colombia, verify two things: ReTHUS Registration—the National Registry of Healthcare Talent confirms the provider's professional license. And Health Service Authorization (Habilitación)—healthcare facilities must have authorization from the Ministry of Health to provide specific services. If a provider refuses to share these credentials, consider it a serious red flag.
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Remember your rights: FMP has no network requirements, you can choose any licensed provider, you can combine providers freely, and no pre-authorization is needed for service-connected care. If you feel pressured, you are not obligated to continue with that provider. You can seek care elsewhere and still receive FMP reimbursement for covered services.
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Yes. For example, you can continue seeing your primary care physician while receiving physical therapy from a different provider and filling prescriptions at a pharmacy of your choice. Each provider bills FMP independently. Your relationship with one provider does not depend on using their affiliated services.
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No. Whether you pay out-of-pocket and seek reimbursement, or your provider bills FMP directly, your right to choose providers remains the same. The billing method does not create any obligation to use a specific clinic for all services.
Red Flags When Choosing a Provider Abroad
Be cautious if any provider:
- Claims to be "official," "certified," or "preferred" by FMP
- Says you must receive all services at their facility
- Claims using other providers will jeopardize your coverage
- Refuses to share credentials or makes records access difficult
- Pressures you to sign exclusive agreements
Remember: FMP has no networks, no contract providers, and no facility requirements. You choose your providers.