VA OCONUS Connection

June 2021

FMP & COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 Vaccine

Veterans currently living or travelling outside the United States who are eligible for the VA Foreign Medical Program (FMP) can receive reimbursement from VA for a COVID-19 vaccine.

We can pay for a COVID-19 vaccine that is formally approved for use by the national health authorities of the country in which the Veteran receives the vaccine. It does not need to be a COVID-19 vaccine authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has information about FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines.

Getting a Vaccine

Veterans should make arrangements to receive a COVID-19 vaccine from a provider in their community.

Reimbursement

After you get the vaccine, ask the provider to send a claim directly to VA for reimbursement. If the provider doesn’t send the claim directly to VA, then you will need to pay the provider and then submit a claim to FMP, including proof of payment.

The process for submitting claims is the same for the provider and the Veteran. To submit a claim, complete VA Form 10-7959f-2, FMP Claim Cover Sheet. Make sure to include:

• Veteran’s full name
• U.S. Social Security number
• VA claim file number
• Date of birth
• Physical address
• Mailing address
• Country
• Telephone number
• E-mail address

Next, attach an itemized invoice or receipt from the provider for the COVID-19 vaccine and its administration. It is recommended that both the form and any invoices or receipts be written in English. While FMP will translate the claim submission if provided in another language, this will add time to obtain the translation.  It is also recommended that you retain a copy of the completed form and any invoices/receipts for your records.

Make sure the provider’s receipt or invoice includes:

• Provider’s full name, medical title, office address, phone number, and billing address (if different from the office address),
• Name of the COVID-19 vaccine/vaccine manufacturer
• Billed charge and date(s) for each service

Mail the completed form and invoices/receipts to:

VHA Office of Community Care

Foreign Medical Program (FMP)

P.O. Box 469061

Denver, CO 80246-9061

Please note that claim amounts are converted to U.S. dollars according to the foreign currency rate on the date of service, and claims must be submitted within two years from the date of service. Once approved, reimbursement is provided via U.S. Treasury check, usually within 145 days.

Certain countries are excluded from FMP; therefore, reimbursement for the cost of any treatment, including COVID-19 vaccines, cannot be provided for Veterans who receive services in countries where U.S. Department of Treasury checks are restricted or where travel is prohibited.

Coverage of COVID-19 vaccines to eligible Veterans under FMP was provided by the SAVE LIVES Act, enacted on March 24, 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

• I am a Veteran eligible for FMP.  Can VA send a COVID-19 vaccine that can be administered to me locally?
  • No, provision and administration of a COVID-19 vaccine is conducted locally.
• I am a Veteran eligible for, but not enrolled in FMP. Can I still get a COVID-19 vaccine through FMP?
  • Yes, you can submit a claim to FMP to be reimbursed for the COVID-19 vaccine before enrolling in the program. If you are eligible, after VA receives your claim, VA will enroll you in the program, and then issue you the reimbursement. If you are not enrolled, be sure to include a completed Foreign Medical Program (FMP) Registration Form when submitting your claim. 
• I am a Veteran located in the Philippines. Can I get a COVID-19 vaccine directly through VA?
  • If you have access to the VA Manila Outpatient Clinic and are eligible for FMP, you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine directly from VA from that clinic. Information about the VA Manila Outpatient Clinic and COVID-19 vaccines are located at:
    • https://www.visn21.va.gov/locations/manila.asp
    • https://ph.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/veterans-affairs/
  • If the VA Manila Outpatient Clinic is too far away or too difficult to access, you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine from a local community provider and send a claim to FMP for reimbursement, if you are eligible for FMP.
• I am a Veteran located in a foreign country and not eligible for FMP. How do I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
  • Please refer to the local U.S. embassy website or social media account for the country in which you are located. Country-specific information and guidance for COVID-19, including vaccine availability, is located on the U.S. State Department website.  
• I am a Veteran eligible for and enrolled in FMP. Can my spouse and/or caregiver also get a COVID-19 vaccine through FMP?
  • Under current law, VA cannot reimburse COVID-19 vaccines for spouses and caregivers through FMP.

Contact Information for the Foreign Medical Program:

For Veterans Living in Canada, Australia, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain and the UK:

• USA/Canada: 877-345-8179
• Australia: 1-800-354 965
• Costa Rica: 0800-013-0759
• Germany: 0800-1800011
• Italy: 800-782655
• Japan: 00531-13-0871
• Mexico: 001-877-345-8179
• Spain: 900-981-776
• UK: 0800-032-7425

General Inquiries

• Email: fmp@va.gov
• Phone (General Inquiries): 877-345-8179, Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. MT
• Phone (Claim Inquiries): 303-331-7590, Monday-Friday, 8:05 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET

Questions About Your Claim? Contact Us!

Do you have questions about your pending VA compensation claim?  The Pittsburgh RO is charged with the special mission of processing claims for Veterans residing in most foreign countries (with the exception of the Philippines).

To schedule a phone or virtual interview with a representative from the Pittsburgh VA Regional Office:

• Veterans may call (412) 360-2832, or
• email PCU.VBAPIT@VA.GOV 

Update: Overseas Military Service Coordinators

Due to COVID-19, Overseas Military Service Coordinators (OMSCs) will be extending virtual support operations to overseas Veterans, Service members, and their dependents through October 1, 2021. OMSCs will be responding to e-mails and arranging phone interviews for those seeking assistance with all VA benefits.

We invite all Veterans, Service members, and dependents who would like to speak to a VA representative about VA benefits to send your contact information to the email address listed for your location to set up a virtual appointment with an OMSC. 

Veterans residing in European countries: OMSCGER1.VBAVACO@VA.GOV

Veterans residing in Asian countries: OMSCJAPANOK.VBAVACO@VA.GOV

Status of Operations:

Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Offices

Both the Germany and Korea BDD offices are open for in-person assistance, by appointment only.  

Landstuhl, Germany 

• Phone: DSN 314.590.8200; Commercial :+49 (0) 6371 9464 8200
• E-mail: GermanyBDD.VBAPIT@VA.GOV

Camp Humphreys, South Korea 

• Phone:  DSN 757-2914; commercial: 050-3357-2914
• E-mail: KoreaBDD.vbapit@va.gov 

As always, Veterans can continue to get information about benefits or file a claim for benefits by visiting our website at www.va.gov. Veterans with claims specific or other questions may request information via Inquiry Routing & Information System (IRIS) or by telephone at 1-800-827-1000, or 412-395-6272 for Veterans outside the US.

Other Than Honorable Discharge?

If your discharge was related to the following, you can be considered for a discharge upgrade:

• Mental Health Conditions, including PTSD
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Sexual Assault or Harassment (Military Sexual Trauma)
• Sexual Orientation (Don't Ask, Don't Tell)

Consider scheduling an appointment to meet with a VA representative to assist you in applying for a discharge upgrade!   To schedule an appointment,  Veterans may call (412) 360-2832 or email PCU.VBAPIT@VA.GOV. 

Veteran Service Officers

What is an accredited representative?

An accredited representative is an individual who has undergone a formal application and training process and is recognized by VA as being capable of assisting claimants with their affairs before VA. Most accredited representatives work for Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), many of which are private non-profit groups that advocate on behalf of Veterans, Service members, dependents and survivors.

What is the role of an accredited representative?

A VSO is trained to help you understand and apply for any VA benefits you may be entitled to including: compensation, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment, home loans, life insurance, pension, health care, and burial benefits. Additionally, your VSO can help you gather any evidence needed and submit a fully developed claim on your behalf. Many VSOs provide their services free-of-charge. 

For more information on the role of an accredited representative and how to appoint a VSO or Representative, please visit:

VSO VA Home Page

Overseas Accredited VSOs

VA Welcome Kit

Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.

Download your VA Welcome Kit and print out copies for yourself and others!

Upcoming Live Virtual Events

The Veterans Breakfast Club's live virtual Veterans storytelling programs bring together Veterans from across the nation and beyond.   This is a great opportunity to virtually connect with your fellow Veterans! Visit the link below for additional information and a schedule of their live virtual events!   

Veterans Breakfast Club

Additionally, a variety of virtual outreach events are being offered. To view the full list of virtual offerings, visit the below link:

VIEW ALL EVENTS

Help Us Spread the Word

Please encourage Veterans residing abroad with whom you come in contact to subscribe to “Veterans Abroad” to receive bulletins and information specific to Veterans residing abroad. 

Subscribe here

Feedback Requested

We’d love to hear your feedback regarding the VA OCONUS Connection!  We want to provide the information you need - please tell us what topics you would like addressed in the future.

Check Your Claim Status at VA.Gov

In November 2018, VA began migrating VA websites into a single, unified, Veteran-centric platform under a name Veterans recognize: VA.gov. The VA.gov design focuses on the top information Veterans seek out across all VA websites.  This homepage also provides Veterans with a standard way to log in to access a personalized user experience.  Users are able to log into VA.gov via their existing MyHealtheVet, DS Logon, or ID.me credentials.

VA is continuously updating and adding more functionality to the VA.gov website. With just one click, you can access the most important information Veterans need and have one location to securely log in to access personalized information. VA.gov is your self-service portal for filing a claim, claims status, Chapter 36, direct deposit, payment history, uploading evidence, and more.

Some tools currently available on VA.gov include:

• Content for Disability, Pension, Health Care, Education & Training, Housing Assistance, Careers & Employment, Life Insurance, Records, and Burial and Memorial Benefits
• Online applications for health care, compensation, pension, education, and burial benefits
• Online application for pre-discharge compensation claims
• Status of compensation and pension claims and appeals
• Change of address or direct deposit
• GI Bill Comparison Tool
• Customized discharge upgrade instructions
• Download VA letters and documents
• Debt management tool
• Find VA forms
• Set communication and notification preferences
• Much more!

Visit “The New VA.gov” for a video introduction and “Explore the New VA.gov” to learn more about the self-service portal.

IS THERE A HELPDESK FOR TECHNICAL ISSUES ON VA.GOV?

• To contact the helpdesk, call 1-800-698-2411.

*The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized VA activities, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate and about specific additional external links which you believe ought to be included.