You’re halfway through a dream vacation—maybe a beach in Mexico, a national park in Utah, or visiting family across the country—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 who receives 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.? Veterans should call VA Health Connect
Help is just one phone call away with VA Health Connect when an unexpected health issue pops up. If you need to make, reschedule or cancel an appointment; refill a prescription; or get advice during a health scare, VA staff are there to answer your call 24/7.
If you’re ill, you can talk with a nurse who can help you 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 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
If you’re a Veteran 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.
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 or board a plane:
- 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.
Resources
CHAMPVA
VA Health Connect
Foreign Medical Program
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I have frequently run into problems with VA care because there is a BIG gap in service with VA assuming that everyone posses a cellular telephone. I doubt that my Wife and I are alone in this . But, the issue is not even recognized, forget addressed.
The guy at Prescott VA who is supposed to instruct veterans how to deal with this new indecipherable HealtheVet told us that it is not possible to use the new version unless with a cell phone, just this month. We were barely two steps inside and this clown is practically shoving us back out ( No- no physical contact ) .
For years, I have easily used my laptop computer, and self taught, semi literate in that. Now, HealtheVet is useless to us.
Glad to say, he is not typical of VA Prescott staff.
But, it seems to be an institutional thing, this assumption. More of moving away from patient-oriented care.
1) The VA makes it exceptionally difficult to access medical care while traveling. Unless you’re officially assigned to the VA clinic nearest to your location, they’ll typically insist you seek treatment through the emergency room—even for acute issues that don’t warrant emergency care.
2) Additionally, if you’re in the process of changing providers at your assigned clinic, the VA will route all medical concerns through the ER until a new primary care provider is established.
3) If you need an appointment with your regular PCP and the only availability is in the late afternoon, you may be told that you should be grateful they agreed to see you—because 4 p.m. appointments are inconvenient for them. This, despite the fact that the appointment was scheduled months in advance through the VA’s own system and with the provider’s approval.
Explain to me how any part of this process is supposed to be helpful—or even remotely easy.
“FMP. It covers treatment for service-connected disabilities while you’re overseas—and VA foots the bill. No surprise charges, no confusing insurance.”
1. It only covers treatment for the specific service-connected disability. Not for anything else.
2. Also a disabled veteran cannot get same day treatment or prescriptions at VA clinics that are not his regular clinic. He has to start all over as these clinics do not have and have no way of accessing his medical records.
Love it. Very informative. Keep up the good work.
I have a 70% VA combined disability. I can be treated for all of my medical conditions at a VAMC here in the USA, for which I am very grateful. But why can I only be treated/reimbursed for treatment for my service-connected disabilities while traveling abroad?
I followed the instructions provide by Seattle VA. Went to their selected facility in Florida.
Who was billed, me.
VA:”sorry our mistake “,
You keep saying call somebody, but you don’t give any phone numbers. How do you find these people?.
Good news,I hope I will never need
In 2022, I made what I thought was a temporary move from Houston to South Carolina. I very much wanted to maintain my care through Michael E. DeBakey VA Med Center. I attempted to get care in SC and began having problems. The ability to get care at VA facilities in SC proved difficult. I ended up having to transfer my coverage permanently to Ralph H. Johnson/Myrtle Beach VA Clinic.
I am a 78 year old Vietnam veteran and I travel a great deal and have been worried about what to do in an emergency. Thank you for the helpful information. I receive care from the Kansas City VA and they have provided the greatest care possible.
The VA never ceases to amaze me at how utterly incompetent it can be.
The article is full of grandiose promises and refers you to your “local” VA provider which if you are traveling clear across the country does you scant use….especially knowing the gross failure of the Call Centers, long hold times, and of course being no where close to where you are having the emergency.
Top that off…it instructs you call the VA to get your Emergency Authorization but DOES NOT PROVIDE YOU THE TELEPHONE NUMBER TO CALL!
POST THE NUMBER SO THE VETERAN KNOWS WHAT IT IS!!!!!
When a Veteran is having a bonafide emergency they might not be able to take the time to search the VA websites trying to locate that number which no doubt changes.
Why not post a Checklist Memorandum with all of the pertinent information re phone numbers, websites addresses, and actual Points of Contact for national level offices that must be contacted to obtain that authority? Telling me to call but not provide the appropriate phone number is inexcusable lack of attention to detail.
A year ago while in Critical Care I was able to find that number with some searching and upon finally finding that phone number the process went letter perfect. But, had I been incapacitated I would not have been able to make that contact.
I am a 91 year old KWV and use the Northport, NY VA, without a doubt the care I get is the finest in the world .
I travel a lot in the USA and have used the VA in West Palm Beach, and Jacksonville FL. IT IS A WONDERFUL feeling to know VA facilities are available in every state.
Thank God for the VA.