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A Veteran is anyone who has served in the United States military or the National Guard. A retired Veteran served for an entire career, usually for 20 years or more. Registering with the VA or Tricare could make you eligible for medical care in Panama. Learn how to register below and see additional information about hospitals where you can get care in Panama.
In Panama, retired and non-retired veterans honorably discharged with a VA-awarded disability of 0% to 100% are covered under the VA Foreign Medical Program (FMP). These Veterans are eligible for VA-FMP-covered medical care and medication prescriptions in Panama at certain locations. The veteran must register with VA-FMP.
Are you thinking about moving to Panama? Check out our guide to living in Panama and learn more about our relocation tours.
If you do not have a VA ID, visit a VA hospital or clinic whenever you travel back to the US with a copy of your DD214 to request a VA ID. NOTE: The VA ID is not required for medical services overseas. You will only need your VA-FMP benefit letter listing your awarded disabilities. VA-FMP covers medical services and medications overseas for VA-awarded disabilities.
NOTE: If you DO NOT have VA-awarded disabilities, you WILL NOT have VA medical coverage overseas.
Spouses, dependent children, widows, and widowers of non-retired veterans who have been declared to be 100% total and permanently (T&P) disabled by the VA, are also eligible for medical services and medications under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA).
The 100% T&P non-retired veteran and his dependents are also authorized DOD ID Cards for entry into military installations. They will have access to commissaries, PX/BX, and MWR in some countries, although they are unavailable in Panama.
Dependents of retired and non-retired 100% T&P veterans are entitled to Chapter 35, Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA), to be used towards a degree in VA-certified colleges and universities.
TRICARE Select, TRICARE for Life, and CHAMPVA beneficiaries have a 25% co-pay for medical services and medications.
MEDICARE
For retired veterans and their spouses, ensure you sign up for MEDICARE Part-B prior to your 65th birthday. If you don’t have Medicare Part-B, you will be dropped out of TRICARE and not be medically insured. Manage this most important life event very carefully and don’t miss it. Permanent penalties apply if you register in MEDICARE Part-B after age 65.
Medicare Part-B is Mandatory by Law to continue TRICARE coverage, even if it does not provide coverage outside of the US.
You can convert to a Medicare Advantage plan. If you have certain Medicare Advantage plans, they cover medical emergencies or urgent care in Panama without the need to prepay. It’s importan to have the “right” Medicare Advantage plan.
Learn more about Medicare Advantage HERE
To keep TRICARE coverage, when military retirees and their spouses turn age 65, they must enroll in Medicare Part-B and pay the standard Part-B monthly premium.
https://www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Medicare/Retiree_and_Family
https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans/TFL/TFL_O.aspx
Public Law 106-398, October 30, 2000, mandates Medicare Part-B enrollment if you wish to remain eligible for TRICARE for Life (TFL) at age 65 and beyond.
Apply for Medicare Part-B before your 65th birthday to avoid a break in TRICARE for Life coverage.
By taking a few simple steps, you can make sure you have your TRICARE benefits at age 65 and beyond.
Four months before your 65th birthday, you should receive a postcard from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), the office that supports the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), with information about keeping TRICARE coverage at age 65 and beyond.
If you do not receive a postcard from DMDC, call them at (800) 538-9552.
You must have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B to be eligible for TRICARE For Life, even if you live overseas and Medicare does not provide coverage.
TRICARE For Life is the Medicare wrap-around coverage for TRICARE beneficiaries entitled to Medicare Part A and have Medicare Part B regardless of where they live.
The Medicare initial enrollment period is seven months. If you miss your initial enrollment period, your next chance to sign up for Medicare Part B is during the general enrollment period, Jan. 1 – March 31. Your coverage will begin July 1st, and your monthly premium for Part B may go up 10 percent for each 12-month period that you could have had Part B but didn’t sign up for. Also, there will be a lapse in your TRICARE coverage until Part B is effective.
** Another way to enroll:
If you are a military retiree over 65 and already receiving SS retirement benefits, please enroll by completing Form CMS-40B.
– If you are a retiree, age 65, and have not applied for SS retirement benefits yet, please enroll in Medicare Part-B by completing Form CMS-40B or online at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare
– If you are a spouse or survivor of a retiree, aged 65, please enroll in Medicare Part-B by completing Form CMS-40B
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/CMS40B-E.pdf
– You can also apply for Medicare Part-B using your online Social Security account
Important: If you are applying for Medicare Part-B and have not applied for SS retirement benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will contact you for further information. Provide a valid phone number and area code where you can be contacted.
REMEMBER: If you are enrolling in Medicare Part-B to keep your TRICARE for Life benefits, you must answer “YES” when the Social Security representative asks if you want to enroll in Medicare Part-B.
**For survivors (widow/widower), on Form CMS-40B, include the following in “Remarks”:
1) Your Deceased spouse’s Name and Social Security Number (SSN) if you do not have your own SSN
2) The word “TRICARE”
3) Indicate if you are receiving benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Write “VA Survivors Pension”
4) Write “Interpreter” and the language you require if you need translation assistance for the follow-up telephone interview
HOSPITAL CARE
Several hospitals throughout Panama offer services to Veterans with direct billing to the VA, Tricare, ChampVA, and Medicare Advantage. The Online Panama Relocation Guide details which hospitals offer direct billing and is updated often.
VETERAN MEETINGS
There are thousands of Veterans living in Panama.
The American Legion in Coronado sponsors monthly Veteran meetings. If you cannot attend in person, you can attend virtually. Join the American Legion Facebook page to stay updated on Veteran news.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
MEDICARE cannot be used in Panama. Veterans cannot cancel MEDICARE Part-B at any time or you will be dropped out of TRICARE and not be insured.
In the United States, all veterans, service-connected or not, are entitled to 100% care at any VA hospital.
Overseas, veterans can only receive medical care and medications for service-connected disabilities rated at 0% to 100%. The VA ID must state “Service Connected” under the picture, and the veteran must be registered in FMP.
I know it sounds complicated. Know that the Veteran Servicer officer at the American Legion can help.
Enjoy tropical Panama with the thousands of veterans and other expats who have made Panama their retirement home.
