Health Benefits
Treatment of Allied and Foreign National Beneficiaries
VA provides medical services to beneficiaries of those nations allied with the U.S. in World War I and World War II (except any nation which was an enemy of the U.S. during World War II) who have a reciprocal agreement for care with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Allied Beneficiaries
Allied beneficiaries are former members of the armed forces of nations allied with the United States (U.S.) in World War I (except any nation which was an enemy of the United States during World War II) and World War II.
Czechoslovakian or Polish Beneficiaries
Czechoslovakian or Polish Beneficiaries who are former members of the armed forces of the Government of Czechoslovakia or Poland who:
- Served during World War I (WWI) or World War II (WWII) in armed conflict with an enemy of the United States (U.S.),
- Subsequently served in or with the armed forces of France or Great Britain, and
- Have been citizens of the U.S. for at least 10 years.
Foreign Nationals
Foreign nationals are Veterans of nations that were not allied with the U.S. during WWI and WWII.
Eligibility Requirements for Allied Beneficiaries
Allied beneficiaries must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to receive VA health care benefits:
The government of the requesting nation must:
- Have a reciprocal agreement with VA,
- Submit proper authorization for services to be provided, and
- Provide a written agreement to reimburse for services provided, and
- The beneficiary must be living in the U.S.
Emergent Outpatient Treatment
Emergency outpatient treatment can be provided to allied beneficiaries at a VA health care facility even though the facility may not have authorization at the time services are provided.
Non-Emergent Outpatient Treatment
An allied beneficiary found to be in need of non-emergent outpatient treatment may not be treated until the allied government provides authorization for such services.
Inpatient Medical Treatment for Allied Beneficiaries
Hospitalization is furnished to eligible allied beneficiaries in the nearest appropriate VA health care facility. When a bed in a VA health care facility is not feasibly available, hospitalization in another Federal or non-Federal hospital may be authorized by the clinic of jurisdiction or VA medical facility exercising contract hospitalization authority in the area.
Emergent Inpatient Treatment for Allied Beneficiaries
Emergency inpatient treatment can be provided to allied beneficiaries in a VA health care facility even though the facility may not have authorization at the time services are provided.
Non-Emergent Inpatient Treatment for Allied Beneficiaries
An allied beneficiary found to be in need of non-emergent inpatient treatment may not be treated until the allied government provides authorization for such services.
Eligibility and Provision of Services for Members of the Armed Forces of the Government of Czechoslovakia and Polish Beneficiaries
VA provides hospital, domiciliary, and medical services, including transportation, to a member of any armed force of the Government of Czechoslovakia, or Poland in the same manner as U.S. Veterans, subject to certain eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements for the Members of the Armed Forces of the Government of Czechoslovakia and Polish Beneficiaries.
Members of the Armed Forces of the Government of Czechoslovakia and Polish beneficiaries must provide proof of the following eligibility requirements in order to receive VA health care benefits:
- U.S. citizenship for at least 10 years, and
- Authenticated certification from the French Ministry of Defense, or the British War Office, as to records in either such office which clearly indicate military service of the applicant in the armed forces of the governments of Czechoslovakia and Poland, and subsequent service in, or with, the armed forces of Great Britain or France, during the period of World War I or World War I
Eligibility and Provision of Services for Foreign National Beneficiaries
Provision of Services for Foreign National Beneficiaries
VA provides services on an advance-of-funds or reimbursement basis to friendly countries whenever the President determines it to be consistent with national policy.
