VA OCONUS Connection Bulletin (June 2021)
To view the original bulletin, please visit: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVAVBA/bulletins/2da2d54
COVID-19 Vaccine
Veterans currently living or traveling outside the United States, who are eligible for the VA Foreign Medical Program, 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. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 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:
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:
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
For Veterans Living in Canada, Australia, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain and the UK:
General Inquiries
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:
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
Both the Germany and Korea BDD offices are open for in-person assistance, by appointment only.
Landstuhl, Germany
Camp Humphreys, South Korea
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.
If your discharge was related to the following, you can be considered for a discharge upgrade:
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.
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: https://www.benefits.va.gov/vso/index.asp
Visit the original bulletin for the full list of Overseas Accredited VSOs: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USVAVBA/bulletins/2da2d54