Let’s talk about FMP (Foreign Medical Program) in the Philippines 🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@chrisdillon2073]

Wow THANK YOU us Vets need more videos like this

[@rickbaker0217]

Hope it was helpful Chris and thank you for your service sir!

[@markvoorhees1294]

Great info for all us vets living here in the Philippines. Hope your procedure goes well, Rick. The pink looks great on you: ) couldn't resist!

[@rickbaker0217]

Consensus is it's "Salmon", but it is all Pink to me . As always, thanks for watching Mark!

[@k9companion231]

Hey Rick! Erik Baker here. Guam is showing they are a VA Clinic as well and not a hospital. Looks like Hawaii is the answer brother.

[@FredandRona]

Good luck my friend! I am moving to the Philippines in June so the search for medical care will be one of the things I must check on. I am not a vet but just turned 65 but fortunately I am in pretty good health for a old man. Thanks for your service!

[@rickbaker0217]

Thanks for the support brother! You will find quality physicians here, but bring your patience with you. The queuing system is taxing at best. Healthcare is super affordable out of pocket, as long as it isn't something super major. They do have lots of available peso health plans here that you can access once you relocate.

[@johnw.1167]

Upon arrival PhilHealth insurance. I know from experience. Cheap, most hospitals will give you a delay if you do not have the insurance. Also, most hospitals, pay in advance unless insured. Been in hospital twice in Philippines. The medication, IV, etc prescribed and payment at cashier or no moving forward. Although the nurses are very accommodating an sometimes a doctor. experiences in the Philippines.

[@kenmiller9]

@@johnw.1167 Best to have a Visa Debit/Credit card with a high credit limit in case of emergencies. Filipinos rarely go to the hospital on their own. Always someone, family member, friend, who is with them in case one has to go to a pharmacy outside the hospital to get meds, or to fetch money from an ATM. Your private hospitals will have a pharmacy for inpatients. But again, may have to show proof of funds before care is given.

[@t.nelson9345]

Awesome!Viva Philippines!😊. You can use FMP in Thailand too.

[@rickbaker0217]

Yes sir, FMP is basically international care for veterans, everywhere but the US.

[@biggdogginthephilippines7067]

Hello I am a Veteran also never used the VA in Manila thanks. for the info. My wife lives in Davao and yes they have a hospital in Guam

[@rickbaker0217]

Thanks for watching brother and thank you for your service! As soon as Jenn gets a visa, we will hop over and check out the Guam VA. Appreciate the info!

[@kenmiller9]

@@rickbaker0217 VA doens't have a hospital on Guam, only a clinic. All veterans, service and non-service connected check in at the Naval Hospital- famlly care outpatient services during business hours. Urgent care can check in at emergency dept. The hospital is behind the VA compound.

[@CaseyJones-yj5kn]

Rifaxamin is cheap there and pretty much cured my IBS after a 40 year battle with it. Here in the States it’s about $5500 for a couple weeks worth and over there it’s less than $200. Six weeks at 400mg 3x/d. Ask your GI!! It’s life changing. Hope all your procedures go great! Amping sir!

[@rickbaker0217]

Thanks Casey! They have struggled to treat mine. They say it is because it is IBS with constipation and not as many treatment options. I will ask my team doc at the VA about it. I have never heard of it. What they give me sometimes works, but most of the time it doesn't. The GERD has been my latest flare up. Had it under control for 30 years and now nothing seems to help . Absolutely driving me nuts!

[@CaseyJones-yj5kn]

@@rickbaker0217 so sorry to hear!! I’ve had the opposite one, the big d. I would tend to overtreat it and go to the c side. Thankfully, my doc just had me take a magnesium supplement that always worked perfectly. I have diverticulitis too which has me getting the scopes quite frequent. I was flying one time from Chicago to San Fran and had that rupture. They took out 9 inches in a resection, but my love of the western diet had it return. My poor Filipina is so scared to relocate to the Phils because of it, but I tell her I’m like a cockroach, nothing will kill me 😂

[@buckeyeadventures1631]

Great information... on all my trips to the PI I've been out of pocket for my healthcare.. mostly colds ,minor bumps and scratches.. nothing serious.. But as a Vet I have considered healthcare options in the PI.. I always knew they had limited options in Manila and a full facility in Guam, but have never taken advantage of either. Good luck and stay healthy ... with all that salmon color on watch out for the lady-boys. Its like a magnet for them.

[@rickbaker0217]

Thanks for watching and believe me, I don't need anything additional to attract them .

[@luiscolon675]

Thank you so much for sharing. Truly praying for your speedy recovery. I am half robot lol I had open heart surgery here in the US. My wife is from the Philippines and I'm so in love with the country my biggest concern is cardiologist and such things. Please share any experience you may have gor I plan to start looking land but I prefer area with good hospitals. My wife is from Luzon area in Batangas fe minutes away from lipa city.

[@rickbaker0217]

Hey Luis, I understand about being half robot brother. Heart issues are no joke and unfortunately they don't have the emergency response system that we have in the US. So it would be prudent for you to locate not to far from where you are wanting to get your care from. Batangas is south of Manila and you do have access to some of the best hospitals in the Philippines via Toll roads. They are improving the Toll road system steadily and south of Manila is getting better access. St. Lukes will probably be one of the better hospitals you would want to check on. It is in the Ermita area, not to far from the US Embassy. There are other good hospitals in Makati and BGC. Of course Clark Medical City is also good, but way to far from Batangas brother. Wishing you all the best in your search!

[@luiscolon675]

@@rickbaker0217 truly thank you so much for your reply. Wishing you and family the very best. I'll surely keep enjoying you content my friend

[@paulchesney1798]

Good Luck! Hope you are well!Good to see you make another vlog

[@rickbaker0217]

Hey Paul! Sorry so long between uploads. Jenn was having storage issues on Iphones and Ipads. I think she has it all worked out though and should be getting back into the upload frame of mind. All is well here brother. Hope the same for you!

[@paulchesney1798]

@The Good, The Bad, The Philippines how are feeling??

[@jpcia260]

Question, Im retired military, and 100% with VA - also have my SS, why with all your disabilities you dont have Social Security and Medicare?

[@marcvivori1561]

Medicare isn’t accepted in the PH. Wish it was. I just turned 70 and going back home for Medicare.

[@marcvivori1561]

Do you get all your RX from the VA Clinic? I not a veteran and take some very expensive Rx.

[@rickbaker0217]

It's a good question JP. I am what is known as a Grey Area Retiree. Since I was not 60 when I retired, I lost my Tricare the day I retired and will not get it back until I turn 60. That is in about 8 months. Until then, I am VA service connected only. I will have Tricare from 60 to 65, and then it will convert to Medicare. I will go back to VA only after 65, unless I have an issue that is not service connected, then I will have to go stateside and utilize the Medicare. Hope that makes sense!

[@jpcia260]

@@rickbaker0217 Bro, I received my SS a few month after getting my 100% with VA.....I'm receiving Military Pay, VA Pay, and SS - Put in for SSID with Social Security Office in Manila...

[@jamess4535]

JP, if you are 100% disabled with the VA (like myself) it would not matter because the coverage extends past retirement. I'm not sure what you're questioning here? Regardless of whether you are in the States or getting VA healthcare overseas, is irrelevant. Everything is the same.

[@stephenbordenave6893]

Another great and informative video. Thanks for sharing your personal experience, and stay healthy brother!....and that's not pink, it's "shrimp" lol

[@rickbaker0217]

Thanks Stephen, not making me feel better though . It was a "Shade" of pink and about two sizes to small for this stocky Texas Boy!

[@scottbeller2369]

Hey brother! Hope everything went well with your procedure. Don't worry about a thing before long you'll be back "in the pink!" (ooops, you already are you gorgeous creature you!) Don't worry, I wrote all of this before I saw the part about not giving you grief about the dress. 😆

[@rickbaker0217]

I needed that laugh Scott! Thanks Brother! I am thinking it is the last time you will be seeing me in pink. I told Clark Medical I would never come back if I had to wear that pink thing again. Also was about two sizes to small . Would have fit a Filipino just fine, but not this stocky Texas boy . Good to hear from you sir!

[@scottbeller2369]

@@rickbaker0217 It's good to hear from you, Rick. May I ask what you had done or was it just a procedure to ensure you are still healthy?

[@k9companion231]

Hope the medical situation woks out well brother. God bless Erik Baker

[@rickbaker0217]

Thank you as always brother🙏 Hope all is well with you and your family

[@kenmiller9]

Just had 2 MRIs and a CT Scan here at Bangkok Hospital in Pattaya, Thailand. The hospital bills VA FMP directly for inpatient and outpatient services for service-connected disabilitties. No payment by me- all billed to VA FMP.

[@rickbaker0217]

Ken, that's awesome brother! Hope all is ok with you.

[@showmeyourdaleel6568]

At age 60 you will get Tricare Standard or Prime. At age 65 your Tricare will convert to Tricare for Life and it will act as a supplement to your Medicare.

[@rickbaker0217]

Yes sir, just got turned 60 in December and just got the Tricare Select lined out in January. So good to have insurance again. With an infant at home, it was making me a bit nervous not having any coverage for when we travel back to Texas.

[@tillthebreakofdawnyo]

Great information to have. I am a veteran but I don't have any service-related disabilities and I don't have any disability at all but I am with the VA here in America. What is available for a veteran that does not have any disabilities but served and uses the VA? Will I still be able to get prescriptions through them or will they still oversee my care with the hospitals and do I still go through them? I haven't met anybody that uses the VA there in the Philippines that is not service-related. Any information would really really help me because I'm planning to move there soon thank you so much my brother!

[@rickbaker0217]

Thanks for your service sir! First thing I would ask you is were you ever deployed to Southwest Asia? If so, you need to file under Pact Act. There are some nasty illnesses that can pop up later in life, that are directly tied to exposure to burn pits, radiation, etc. Many of these are presumptive and can result in a VA rating. So if you were, you need to notify them that you intend to file and that can all be done online. If not, then my understanding is that the overseas VA clinic here in the Philippines, only addresses actual Service connected disabilities. They work very differently than the stateside VA's. It wouldn't hurt for you to reach out to the Foreign Medical Program office in Colorado to see if any of your VA healthcare extends overseas. If not, then you could always hop over to Guam for any future medical needs you might have that would normally be treated in the US. Hope that helps somehow brother. Thanks for watching!

[@ChristKrew-Rev1.8]

As a disabled Veteran I am thinking of options to move to the Philippines in the near future. I suffer from CPTSD and a TBI, COPD and arthritus. Only on a few meds and wondering how that would affect my transition there. Also I will be right around 59yo, Hispanic in heritage but all American Marine lol. Also being 5'5" I often get asked if I am filipo lol. But wondering how I would fit in there? Thanks for this video as I gave me a little insight that I could use my VA benefits there.

[@rickbaker0217]

You absolutely can use your benefits here, but just know coming in that it will be different than stateside. Bottomline, I have been able to get my needs met here. I also take care of routine things when I return to Texas for a visit. Once your are in the Manila VA system, your meds will be delivered right to your home her in the Philippines. The Foreign Medical Program has worked well for me as well. We are the same age brother and I have an entire 1 inch on you in height! I also know dynamite comes in small packages! And yes, you will be taken for a Filipino here, as the physical characteristics are super close. That is until you speak . Thanks for your service brother!

[@ChristKrew-Rev1.8]

@@rickbaker0217 Brother... thank you for getting back to me. Yea I am in the middle of a divorce right now after 23yrs of Marriage and it is sucking the life out of me. I am 54 this year and hopefully once the dust settles I am hoping to make the trip out to the Ph. to get the lay of the land. Looking to start a new life. I am pretty much Medically retired and just want a simple life doing the things to prolong my quality of life. I want find a good Calvary Chapel church there, do jiu jitsu, and lift weights lol. Hope I can hit you up when I am ready to head out there or at the very least pick you brain once I have a plan in place. As well brother... thank you for your service. and love the channel!!! You two are awesome!!!

[@frankmazzie4855]

Stay where you are...

[@marcvivori1561]

Give us a follow up video. Good luck.

[@rickbaker0217]

Hadn't thought about that Marc, but I will see what I can do. If my boss, Jenn, agrees, I will do it 👍.just kidding😁

[@Chris-in7pr]

Feel better, Sir 🙏

[@rickbaker0217]

Thanks Chris! I am working on it 👍.

[@marcvivori1561]

Good to see you.👍

[@rickbaker0217]

Thanks and good to be back brother!

[@elinope4745]

Thanks, I've been looking into moving to Philippines. I was thinking of just picking up international health insurance as I hear its relatively cheap compared to private insurance in USA.

[@rickbaker0217]

It's very different than what you are used to in the states as far as health care coverage, but I think it would be a good thing to have here for sure!

[@frank5436]

Thanks for this helpful video. I'm a disabled vet planning to move to the Philippines next year. Probably Valencia. I'm a new subscriber.

[@rickbaker0217]

Hey Frank, thanks for watching! And thank you for your service sir 🙏. Congrats on your future move to Valencia! Beautiful place from what I hear.

[@johnw.1167]

FYI: Medicare has no coverage in Philippines. In USA Medicare is Primary and Tricare secondary. TFL is active day one discharge from service. FMP is sometimes a mistery how it works with Tricare. Live in Dumaguete. Suggest PhilHealth as a backup for care...cheap and may save you.

[@rickbaker0217]

Hey John, yes, Medicare doesn't work here as I have been told. Maybe when that kicks in at 65, I might have to hop over to Guam or back to the great state of TEXAS! My Tricare actually won't kick into till I reach 60. Until then, just VA and FMP. FMP is actually working ok for me here. It's nice having a hospital near that will file with FMP.

[@kenmiller9]

When he turns 65, he will be kn Medicare Part B and will will Tricare coverage for life as long as he has Medicare Part B. Tricare for Life covers 75% of medical costs. Medical City Clark directly bills Tricare for 75%. Thailand has a few Aldo Thai 17:41 land has agreememt with Tricare and VA FMP.

[@kenmiller9]

It doesn't work with Tricare. Two different programs. Only Medicdl Vitu Clark and Medical City Iloilo have direct billing agreement with Tricare and VA FMP. 75% for Tricare. 100% for service-connected conditions billed to VA FMP

[@kenmiller9]

In the U.S. and territories, after age 65, Medicare Part B pays 80% and Tricare 20% plus prescription drugs. No need to have Part D.

[@garyhamilton9186]

Another informative video, I hope all went well.

[@rickbaker0217]

Hey Gary! The procedure went fine. Worse part was having to get on a plane the next day and fly back to Texas for a funeral. My body hadn't completely overcome the anesthesia and had to add jet lag on top of it. Thanks for watching!

[@garyhamilton9186]

So sorry for your loss, yes that's a long flight to deal with. We live in Wisconsin, my flight from Manila to Wisconsin was 23 hours, with 2 short layovers. Joanne and I will be married 5 years this year, and she will be getting u.s. citizenship later this year or early next year. We are planning on building a home and moving to the Philippines permanently, within 5 years.

[@TomBTerrific]

You from Tennessee? Yeah medical is different there for sure except for emergency type stuff I think I would look at going to Thailand or St Luke’s in Manila or Guam if you’re needing to use VA. The thing to determine is what insurance is available that you can get coverage in a certified hospital in the Philippines or in Thailand. Best if you can get insurance that gets you good coverage in Philippines.

[@rickbaker0217]

Hey Tom, thanks for watching sir! I am currently using FMP through the VA, in the Philippines. It covers any rated conditions and that pretty much covers most of my issues. I turn 60 in a little less than 5 months and I will then be eligible for Tricare again and can utilize Tricare Overseas for any issues that are not covered by VA.

[@hopehealsinternationalmini4291]

Actually appointments are available in most of the better hospitals in the NCR. Hospitals or medical groups like UST offer appointments. You are correct most of the hospital or doctors care is done without appointment services. That is of course because the lack of doctors not because of inefficiencies.

[@rickbaker0217]

Ah, ok, never really understood why they do it that way. I have no experience with NCR hospitals, only those in North Luzon. We make it work, so no problem really. Thanks for watching!

[@mariaale7349]

Hi! New subscriber here. Great tips! My husband and I are planning to move to the Philippines this month to check out the pros and cons first. Sir, you are giving us ideas about VA medical benefits. I’m interested about TriCare. Take care! God bless!

[@rickbaker0217]

So happy for your upcoming adventure to the Philippines! Glad the vlog gave you some things to ponder. I am about to embark on my Tricare journey since I just turned 60 in December. I'll post a vlog once I am able to get my family enrolled.

[@mariaale7349]

@@rickbaker0217Hello! Thanks! Looking forward to it! Take care! God bless!

[@kenmiller9]

VA clinic on Gusm is next door to Naval Hospital. All lab eirk, procedures, treatment is referred to the Navsl Hospital

[@rickbaker0217]

Good info! A bit of an expense to get over there for that, but it would be better than going all the way stateside.

[@kenmiller9]

@@rickbaker0217 For urgent care, veterans and military retirees can simply check in with outpatient services, or emergency for after hours urgent care at Naval Hospital. It's behind the VA clinic. Willl need to show your VA ID enrollment card, or DD retiree card. The VA clinic, Guam is a satellite of the Honolulu VA. It serves all veterans, connected, and non-service connected. Can get registered with that clinic for annual physical exams.

[@rickbaker0217]

That's all excellent info Ken! I appreciate you educating me on it.

[@patient864]

That’s great. I would have VA medical too. Thank you for posting. Does VA home Loan benefits apply in Philippines?

[@donrainesoh]

No, only in the states or a us territory like Puerto Rico or Guam.

[@kenmiller9]

VA clinic only offers medical exams for service-connected veterans. Same with VA FMP regarding medical treatment.

[@rickbaker0217]

That is correct Ken. I hope that is what I said. Thought I did anyway. Appreciate you watching!

[@patient864]

Are there Property Taxes applicable for buying property and homes in the Philippines?

[@Puertoricanmarriedtofilipina]

I hope your okay now sir . I was starting to write to you but I noticed it was too long so went ahead and deleted . I'm here in the Philippines with a 1 year visa and I'm planning on staying here for good . I guess I'll go straight to the point here . I'm 90% service connected with P&T and IU but not yet recieving any help from the VA cause I've been dialing the wrong phone numbers that they provide on the internet regarding the VA hospital here . I'm here desperately seeking mental health help

[@rickbaker0217]

The VA clinic is in Manila on the Embassy Annex grounds. They are only a clinic and they do not do any direct care. They will do twice yearly checkups and can provide any service connected meds. FMP is probably what you need to get enrolled in. You can google Foreign Medical Program and it takes a couple of months to get registered with them, but once you do, you can seek medical treatment for any service connected disabilities, out on the civilian medical system. I go through Medical City Clark to get any service connected care. I hope that helps brother!

[@1rockinthedadbod]

I ended up just showing up at the clinic one day. I told the security guard I didn't have an appointment but was trying to get assigned to Manila VA. He let me in and I have my appointments mid July.

[@Puertoricanmarriedtofilipina]

@@1rockinthedadbodwao brother you got lucky and the security guard just let you in the hospital. I can’t wait for my wife comes back from Dubai so that she can accompany me to the VA. She will be here by the 4th of July and we will go there together. Thanks brother for your reply 🙏🏼❤️😊

[@TerryYoung-kr3iq]

Okay I'm a little late on my take with VA Clinic Services in the Philippines. Bottom line, it ant the same as in the USA. I look at it as a bunch of Red Tapes and unnecessary Bureaucracy. As far as I'm concern, it shouldn't even exist. Or at lease do not call it US Veterans Services.

[@Jay-s8x7f]

Jerry Brown Travels. I heard Mexico is the best by him. His wife is Asian. They lived in Hawaii; Asia too. He said Mexico is the best.

[@rickbaker0217]

Almost bought a home on Lake Chapala in central Mexico, many years ago. Thought it would be a wonderful place to retire. Changed my mind before I bought it though. They found a van abandoned in the village with 8 mutilated bodies. So, I started looking elsewhere. 🙄

[@jerseycowboy1]

I was told awhile back they only do in-service connected care. Have they changed that yet?

[@rickbaker0217]

You are correct sir. Every medical issue I have has been service connected so getting follow up care is pretty smooth for me. Thanks for watching!

[@stevenjacques6208]

Good video! Which branch did you retire from as a SELRES?

[@rickbaker0217]

Retired USAF after 33 years Active, Air Guard and Reserves combined. Thanks for watching sir!

[@stevenjacques6208]

@@rickbaker0217 I was 3 weeks shy of 33 years myself, 5 years active duty and the rest was as a SELRES. I had 5 mobilizations as a SELRES in the USN.

[@charlesbronson5235]

Guam is the place to go my friend

[@rickbaker0217]

I have heard that sir. As soon as Jenn gets her visa, we will check it out brother!

[@Jay-s8x7f]

Jerry Brown Travels. I heard Mexico is the best by him. His wife is Asian. They lived in Hawaii; Asia too. He said Mexico is the best.

[@thepowersofone2570]

I"M 100 % PERMANENT DISABILITY! I HAVE HYPERTENSION AS ONE OF MY DISABILITY ! DOES VA WILL HELP ME IN CASE OF EMERGENCY IF I HAD ONE HEART PROBLEM ?

[@rickbaker0217]

That is why I suggested getting registered with the Foreign Medical Program, so that if you have an emergency involving one of your rated conditions, then the FMP should be able to guide you on what to do.

[@followme7198]

ohh this is a year ago. I wish you you have already recovered. Today's date its 20th March/24

[@rickbaker0217]

Yes sir, it was last year. I am still alive and kicking!

[@linkinemerson8620]

SO just to confirm the only VA help facility is in Manila correct?

[@linkinemerson8620]

Many questions, but you being a vet with experience I can bounce things off you & you have more knowledge on. The ole Yoogle search says VA disability pays wherever, but is this true if you know? Do you have any disability pay & is it the same amount regardless is you moved out of the US? Im just asking as I got some random advice to game the system & have a fake US address, but I really don't even know or trust anyone enough to do that in the first place let alone the moral issues & keeping up with that. In short... do you get your full disability payments easily etc?

[@rickbaker0217]

So, yes, the Manila clinic is the only VA care point in the Philippines. You can however, get registered with the Foreign Medical Program and they will reimburse for care related to your disabilities, at other private medical venues. And there is no need to game the system. My Philippine address is in the MyHealtheVet system and all my prescriptions are delivered by curiour to my home in the Philippines by the Manila VA. When I travel back to the US, I simply inform Manila of the dates that I will be in Texas and they temporarily switch my care over to the Tyler, Tx. VA clinic. As for benefits, they are direct deposited into my Charles Schwab checking account monthly. Anything else I can help you with brother, just email me at our email on our KZbin channel!

[@richardhoskins1894]

Mate wait til they ask you to strip down with the split in the back! ha ha Pink is leading up to it all! Good luck with it

[@rickbaker0217]

Oh, they did brother. I questioned why I had to be butt naked underneath to get an endoscopy. Never got a good answer .

[@Puertoricanmarriedtofilipina]

If any vets on this chat or you sir can somehow reach out to me please I would appreciated . Is like how they say one hand washes the other I think 🤔. God bless you sir and your wife . Keep making more videos for us to watch and learn from . Is going to take me some time to watch your other videos due to the province area internet signal 📶📡

[@rickbaker0217]

Feel free to email us at our email address listed on our KZbin channel. Jenn will forward it to me and I will respond to you sir.

[@kansascitytraveller1723]

How does billing work ?

[@rickbaker0217]

If it's care that is identified as connected to one of your VA disabilities, then before you ever receive the care, you have to check into the Foreign Healthcare office of the hospital. They will provide you with the paperwork to give to the Doctor when you see them and the FMP will pay the Doctor. Important to make sure the Doctor you want to see is accepting FMP. Many do not because they want to be paid cash. If you do end up paying cash to see a particular doctor, you can claim it with the FMP. Make sure you have detailed paperwork and paid receipt from the doctor or FMP will not pay.

[@garrymiller2769]

re cueing up for a doctor visit... here in Canada there are not nearly enough doctors to go around, so that's becoming what most of us do... we just call it a walk in clinic. Really its a sit-down and wait clinic.

[@rickbaker0217]

Wow, didn't know Canada was having those issues. The Canadians I knew in the Dominican always bragged about how awesome their free health care was. Oh well, suppose no system is perfect. But yes, you spend a lot of time just waiting for your turn here. It really tests my patience for sure!

[@garrymiller2769]

@@rickbaker0217 Socialist medicine, like all things socialist, is mostly hype. But sometimes it works out ok...ie my recent recovery fr a motorcycle accident involved a lot of nursing care. Even during our post covid nurses shortage, it worked out well. Barely saw a doctor, but saw lots of nurses.

[@Randall-p7z]

Can I ask some questions about paperwork required for the FMP? Paperwork Required from VA to FMP? TY

[@rickbaker0217]

Not exactly sure what you are asking, but in order to utilize the FMP overseas, you must register with them separately. I believe their office is in Denver, Colorado. It's been a while, but I believe I got the form off their website and then attached it to an email to their office. Once you get confirmation, about 2 months, you can begin to utilize their services overseas. Hope that helps!

[@Randall-p7z]

@@rickbaker0217 I mean the documentation you need for each individual procedure. Does that come from the VA?

[@Jay-s8x7f]

They have a psych ward. Where at ?

[@rickbaker0217]

Don't know of one in the Phils, but I am sure my wife might like to check me in on occasion

[@luiscolon675]

Hope you doing better and that you are finally out of there

[@rickbaker0217]

Hey Luis! Yes sir, all is good. Just had some tests run to try to figure out some issues. Appreciate you watching!

[@Thomas-j7t4o]

Thanks I didn't know ow VA In the Philippines

[@rickbaker0217]

Yes sir, hope the vlog helped you!

[@luiscolon675]

I havent seen any new video hope you are ok

[@rickbaker0217]

Yes sir, alive and kicking! Uploaded two new blogs since you commented. Check them out when you have time!

[@Vllencia]

Wouldn't it be better for you/your health if you lost a bit of weight?

[@rickbaker0217]

Absolutely! I think that goes without saying. Been a roller coaster for me since I turned 30. High Stress jobs back in the US didn't help. Since I have been here in the Philippines, I have lost 40 to 50 lbs from diet, exercise and sweat, but I always seem to put it back on after visiting the US .

[@thepowersofone2570]

SO ANY SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY WILL BE TAKEN CARE FOR BY VA WHILE IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR AMONTH OR LONGER VACATION !

[@rickbaker0217]

Well, not exactly. The VA clinic in Manila doesn't do any direct care. Before you go overseas, get registered with the Foreign Medical Program and they can instruct you on what you would need to do in the event you needed some treatment for a service connected issue. Also, it might be wise to let your VA clinic know that you will be traveling internationally and they should be able to ensure you have adequate medications and if in the event of an emergency involving the need for prescriptions, should be able to coordinate with the pharmacy in Mania to assist you while there.

[@milescreative4293]

Since you are married What about the Phil Heath National Healthcare Insurance every Filipino is eligible, and if you are married and have a retirement Visa you are too..there are different levels. This could save you money if you have an accident, fall, or lillness non VA related?!...

[@rickbaker0217]

Agreed. Jenn had it when she was working but she let it lapse. I have never actually looked into it, but I know I am eligible if I wanted to avail it. Jenn has said she needs to get hers started back up again and with Little Benjamin here, it could be very useful. Thanks for the nudge!

[@milescreative4293]

It is also supposed to cover basic dental care too. My girlfriend had her Phil-Health Medical insurance from her work to. However, some employers pay extra, and it is enhanced to a premium plan even though it is from the government. It is kind of like a Medicare Advantage Plan in the USA. When you have a government plan, but can pay extra for a better plan that is still much less than a private plan especially since we are both disabled veterans. So, most private plans will not cover us, however Phil-Health probably will because you are married! For non service Medical..

[@milescreative4293]

Also, when I am in the Philippines again we should have a BBQ!

[@nomadicgrandpaws2259]

We Filipinos, if we cannot afford the healthcare have learned to accept death.

[@rickbaker0217]

I understand. When my time comes, I will go gladly and reluctantly at the same time. Glad to see my savior, but super sad to leave my family.

[@maddog6397]

bro to be able to be qualified to philhealth, you just need to pay 3 months worth of contributions. it is only 360 pesos for 3 months ( 6$ ) and you will be eligible for free hospital bill for up to 750,000 pesos ( 15,000$ )

[@lilianblack3953]

"promosm"

[@rickbaker0217]

Lilian, I don't know what this word means?

[@donaldhelie115]

Only a real man can wear pink 🤣🤣🤣

[@rickbaker0217]

I have heard that before Donald, usually from a man that is wearing pink . Appreciate you watching brother!