Health emergency while traveling? How to access your VA health care benefits on the road

You’re halfway through a dream vacation—maybe a sunny beach in Mexico, a scenic national park in Utah, or an overdue trip visiting family in the lower 48—when something goes wrong and you have a health emergency. It’s the kind of thing that can derail a trip—but it doesn’t have to.

If you’re a Veteran receiving care at VA or under the Foreign Medical Program (FMP), or a family member who is covered through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), you can still access the health care you need.

Need help in the U.S.? Call VA Health Connect

Help is a phone call away with VA Health Connect when an unexpected health issue pops up. The VA staff can help with making, rescheduling or canceling an appointment; refilling a prescription; or getting advice during a health scare, they are there to answer your call 24/7.

If you’re ill, you can use VA Health Connect to speak with a nurse who can help figure out what’s going on and what to do next—like directing you to nearby urgent care or even connecting you with an emergency doctor for a virtual visit.

Just call your VA medical center and choose ‘option 3’ to reach a nurse for advice.

If you go to an emergency room, be sure to notify the VA within 72 hours of receiving care.

Quick tip: Bring your VA medical center number with you when you leave town.

Veteran traveling abroad? Use FMP

Heading out of the country? Make sure you’re signed up for FMP. It covers treatment for service-connected disabilities while you’re overseas—and VA foots the bill. No surprise charges, no confusing insurance.

If you get medical care in a country outside the U.S., we can only cover the cost of services that are medically necessary and meet at least one of these descriptions:

-The services are for a VA-rated, service-connected disability (for example, an illness or injury caused—or made worse by—your military service), or

-The services are for a condition that’s associated with a service-connected disability that we determine makes the disability worse (or “aggravates” it). For example, if you have a service-connected condition of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we may cover the cost of care for non-service-connected depression because the depression can be associated with PTSD and make it worse, or

-The services are part of care you’re receiving as you participate in our Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program.

Other information to keep in mind:

You can use FMP only for care you get in a foreign country. Care is not covered, nor are supplies, you get in or from the U.S. or U.S. territories.

For claims that result in a payment, we’ll deposit the claim amount into the U.S. bank account we have on file for you. If you have an international bank account, we’ll send you a U.S. Treasury check. (We’re working to set up direct deposit for international bank accounts, but this isn’t available yet.)

Signing up is free and the process is simple. You can apply online or by mail. Once enrolled, you’ll have peace of mind wherever you go.

Quick tip: Register for FMP before you travel.

Covered under CHAMPVA?

If you’re a beneficiary covered under CHAMPVA, keep the following in mind:

• Always travel with your CHAMPVA ID card.

• Understand what CHAMPVA covers while on the road in the U.S. or territories; not every medical provider accepts CHAMPVA. Be sure to ask before you accept services.

• If you’re traveling overseas or taking a cruise, you may need to pay up front, but you’ll be reimbursed after your claim is processed.

• If you pay out of pocket, keep detailed payment receipts and medical billing records. You’ll need them when filing for reimbursement.

Quick tip: Keep a picture of your CHAMPVA ID card on your phone.

Pack smart, plan ahead

Before you hit the road, board a plane, or hop on a boat:

• Make sure you have enough of your prescription medications.

• Pack copies of important documents like ID and insurance cards, and information about pre-existing conditions.

• If you have chronic conditions or severe allergies, consider wearing medical ID jewelry or carrying a medical alert card.

• Be sure to label your personal emergency contacts on your cell phone.

Whether you’re exploring the world or visiting family a few states over, VA is here to keep you safe and healthy. A little planning goes a long way.

To learn more about VA Health Connect, and find local call centers, please visit www.va.gov/initiatives/va-health-connect/

To register for FMP, please visit www.va.gov/health-care/foreign-medical-program/register-form-10-7959f-1/introduction

To learn more about CHAMPVA, please visit www.va.gov/resources/getting-care-through-champva/