Which hospitals bill TRICARE or the VA FMP for retirees

Fourteen hospitals in Thailand were asked the same five questions by email. Eleven answered in writing. This page is those answers, quoted, with the date and the desk that gave them. Updated as more reply.

Why this exists

“We accept TRICARE” on a hospital website usually describes the active-duty arrangement. For a retiree the question is narrower, and the answer changes by branch: five branches of the same hospital group gave five different answers. So each hospital was asked the same five questions, in writing:

1. Do you bill TRICARE directly for military retirees (not active duty)? Inpatient, outpatient, or both?
2. Does that also apply to a retiree's spouse and children?
3. Do you bill the VA Foreign Medical Program directly for service-connected conditions?
4. Is there a minimum bill amount for direct billing under either program?
5. What documents do you need on file beforehand, and who is the contact at your insurance desk?

What a hospital's desk states is kept separate from what a patient reports. Where a retiree who used the hospital reports something different, both are shown, with dates. Treat the desk answer as the policy and the patient account as what happened that month.

What the answers add up to

• For TRICARE retirees, direct billing usually means inpatient only, after pre-approval. Outpatient visits are pay and claim at most of the large Bangkok hospitals.
• The VA Foreign Medical Program is the stronger program. Most of the hospitals that answered bill FMP directly for service-connected conditions, several above a minimum bill.
• Every branch sets its own policy. A yes at one branch tells you nothing about the next one.
• Paperwork decides it. Expect to hand over your SSN or DBN for the eligibility check and to keep your FMP Benefits Authorization Letter on file. Upcountry you may be asked for a Tabien Baan or proof of residence.

Thailand

Asked, no answer yet

Samitivej Sukhumvit (Bangkok), BNH Hospital (Bangkok), Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai, Bangkok Hospital Ratchasima (Korat). No answer is not a no. Ask them yourself before you rely on anything.

Philippines

The Philippines works differently. TRICARE runs a Philippine Preferred Provider Network, and beneficiaries living or travelling there are expected to use a PPN or certified provider; pharmacy claims are only cost-shared at a TRICARE certified pharmacy. So the question there is less “will you bill” and more which status the hospital holds and what you pay at the desk.

Baypointe in Olongapo publishes no email address. If you have the address for their TRICARE desk, it is worth sending them the same questions.

Ask your own hospital

The only answer that counts is the one from the branch you will use. Copy this to their international insurance desk:

Subject: US military retiree - TRICARE and VA FMP direct billing question

Hello,

I am a retired US military member living here. My family and I are covered by
TRICARE Select Overseas and I am registered with the VA Foreign Medical Program
(FMP). Before we choose a hospital I would like to confirm your current policy
in writing.

1. Do you bill TRICARE directly for military RETIREES (not active duty)? If yes,
   is that for inpatient care, outpatient care, or both?
2. Does TRICARE direct billing also apply to a retiree's spouse and children?
3. Do you bill the VA Foreign Medical Program directly for service-connected
   conditions? Inpatient, outpatient, or both?
4. Is there a minimum bill amount for direct billing under either program?
5. What documents do you need on file beforehand, and who is the contact person
   at your insurance desk?

Thank you for your help.

If you get an answer, it is worth posting it wherever other retirees in your country gather. That is how this list grew.

Sources and limits

Every Thailand and Philippines entry above comes from a written email reply from that hospital's own insurance, international or registration desk, between 21 September and 28 September 2026. Staff are not named. Patient accounts are labelled as such and are one person's experience, not policy. This page is not affiliated with TRICARE, the VA, International SOS or any hospital, and it is not legal, medical or financial advice. Policies change without notice; confirm in writing before you receive care.

Last updated 28 September 2026.