US Vets: FMP and COVID-19

I know we have several retired us military and other vets in the DR forum.  I thought this info might be of assistance.   Hopefully I'm not repeating another's post, so here goes.

My wife and I recently signed up for the US Veterans Adminstration (VA) Foreign Medical Program.
>> Essentially, FMP gets you into the information loop for VA info for filing & appealing claims from overseas.  It's not an extra benefit, but I think it is also a way to combat fraudulent claims from overseas.
>> To get reimbursed for medical care overseas, you must already be approved for VA medical benefits
  However, if you already have that accomplished, further signing up for the FMP is really easy -- just find the form at va.gov, sign and send it in.  Within a couple weeks, you are signed up!! 

My first communication from the GMP was a newsletter that included the following information about eligible OCONUS vets getting reimbursed for COVID-19 vaccinations.  Below, I've copied over the text of that particular article.

I'm no expert on the details,but essentially vets CAN get reimbursed for the COVID vaccines.   

Read and apply as you find helpful.
============================I
VA OCONUS Connection
June 2021

FMP & COVID-19 Vaccine
Covid 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 prLLPovided 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.asphttps://ph.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-se … s-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