Veterans Admin - Do any of you get your medical care from them?

[itsadryheat]

Hello.

I'm going to move to Thailand in a few months. Probably on a retirement visa.

I currently go to the VA for my health care. Non combat related so I know that I will need health insurance when I get to Thailand.

I just read that if you don't go see the VA medical people at least once in a year, that you can't just show up and get help. As in, if i'm in Thailand for 1.5 years, get something serious and go back to the states, I can't go to a VA hospital and get right in as I would now.

Am I reading this wrong?

Is there a place closer than the U.S. where I could fulfill this need?

I'm going to get with the VA and see what they have to say but I'd like to hear a real life experience regarding such things. I used to work for the government and well...

Thank you!

Edited September 17, 2013 by itsadryheat

[Thanyaburi Mac]

I'm not eligible for VA assistance but do know some guys who are, and who get reimbursed for eligible care here in Thailand. They work through the VA office in Manila.

Check them out: http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=681

Mac

[kennedy]

Guam is the nearest.Unless it's major, it's not worth the airfare and hotel cost.

The VA will not reimburse you for non-combat related care in Thailand

Philippines only admits combat related

Never heard about the 1.5 yr. thing. Call the nearest VFW and ask them.

[pmarlin]

Guam is the nearest.Unless it's major, it's not worth the airfare and hotel cost.

The VA will not reimburse you for non-combat related care in Thailand

Philippines only admits combat related

Never heard about the 1.5 yr. thing. Call the nearest VFW and ask them.

They won't reimburse you for non-service connected related care. big difference.

[pmarlin]

This might help. FMP web site for the VA http://www.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/fmp/fmp.asp

[craigt3365]

Do you have Tricare?

Sent from my traveling tab.

[itsadryheat]

Do you have Tricare?

Sent from my traveling tab.

Hi.

I'm not retired military. I was only in for 4 years (well, 3 years, 9 months and 14 days but who is counting ) plus 6 years full time national guard.

THank you all for your replies, I have some research to do.

Hopefully, I will be able to jet to guam or somewhere around here. I have no desire to fly across the ocean any more than I have to.

[itsadryheat]

This might help. FMP web site for the VA http://www.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/fmp/fmp.asp

Nice. That saved me some time.

I asked the question and will see what they have to say.

I'm getting it in writing just in case.