The VA Paid for My Surgery in Panama—Here’s the Benefit Veterans Don’t Know About

Veterans, what if I told you there is a program that could get you medically serviced outside of America? And the

crazy fact here is that most of you guys watching this video have no idea this program exists. But we're going to be

program exists. But we're going to be talking and diving deeper into it. I'm

going to be giving you guys a recollection of my personal experience of this program here in Panama. Because

here's the thing, 1 month ago I was laying on the operating table in the middle of Panama prepping for knee surgery thousands of miles away from the United States, the country I serve, the

country I love. No VA hospital, no military base that I was on, and no VA clinic. And yet, the VA was still

clinic. And yet, the VA was still compensating and paying for my treatment. Now, if you are a disabled

treatment. Now, if you are a disabled veterans, I want you to think about that for a second.

Because most veterans believe if they move overseas, they're basically on their own. Most veterans think that if

their own. Most veterans think that if something serious happened medically, they have to fly back to the United States. But that is not the case, and

States. But that is not the case, and I'm personally here to share my experience with you guys, like I always do on this channel, to put you guys on game and let you guys know exactly how to traverse the VA system. If you're new

here, my name is Ruben Gallego. I am a combat veteran and the CEO of VA Claims Made Easy. I have no life the VA system

Made Easy. I have no life the VA system so that you don't have to. Because

remember, the VA is not the problem, your lack of knowledge in the system is.

And that's what we fix here on this channel. Let's get into the video.

channel. Let's get into the video.

Unfortunately, my experience was severe.

It wasn't no minor aches, not something I could stretch or walk off, a legitimate injury connected to years of military service. And what happened next

military service. And what happened next honestly shocked me. Within 4 hours of the injury, going to the ER here in Panama, I was being evaluated. Within

hours, they had done a x-ray, and then eventually they did a MRIs, and the whole ER experience took me 4 hours total.

And that includes seeing two different doctors. One was just uh the doctor on

doctors. One was just uh the doctor on call, and then they upgraded me to uh the surgeon which came and evaluated my MRIs to determine that I had torn my

meniscus which was very unfortunate for me. I was I was cooked. I was mentally

me. I was I was cooked. I was mentally like damn.

What's going to happen, right? And after

getting the news, they calmed down my anxiety and told me that everything was covered by the FMP because my injury, my knee was service

connected already. For those of you guys

connected already. For those of you guys who don't know, this program I'm going to be describing is called the FMP. It's

offered by the VA. It's the foreign medical program. It's for veterans that

medical program. It's for veterans that are living outside of the country or want to receive health care outside of the country for service connected disability. And more importantly, my

disability. And more importantly, my experience in Panama was insane because within another week of my injury, I was already prepped and on the surgery table. And here's the part that

table. And here's the part that completely changed how I thought about the health care overseas. I didn't pay a penny out of pocket. Zero, right? The

provider understood the VA system and they will take pride in serving veterans which just gave me that assurance that I picked the right country to, you know, retire in.

But, yeah, they understood the system.

They billed the VA. They covered

everything. And all I had to do was focus on the injury and recovery. Now,

later in this video I'm going to show you exactly how that happened, why Panama was different from my experience all over the world, especially when I was living in Southeast Asia, and the one mistakes a lot of you veterans are

making that can turn a smooth process into a nightmare when it comes to receiving care overseas. But, before we get there, we need to talk about something bigger than just that. Cuz

this video isn't really about my surgery. It's about the foreign medical

surgery. It's about the foreign medical program. And this will be your

program. And this will be your all-inclusive video that you need to watch if you want to understand how this program operate.

A few years ago I started asking myself questions most veterans never seem to ask themselves. What does life actually

ask themselves. What does life actually looks like after the military service?

Not surviving, not getting back, not living paycheck to paycheck. What does

freedom actually looks and feels like?

And for me, that question led me all the way to Panama City, Panama. And moving

to Panama has been one of the best decision I've ever made. Lower cost of living, excellent health care, modern infrastructure, US dollar based economy, a growing veteran community, literally a

growing veteran community, and we're playing a big role in that as well, too.

We're helping a lot of veterans relocate and just covering the whole process, taking care of the whole process for them. So, if you're one of those

them. So, if you're one of those veterans looking to relocate to Panama, the link is in the description. You can

book a consultation call and we'll be able to talk about, you know, what that looks like for you. So, Panama for me gave me the ability to build a lifestyle that is significantly less expensive than back in the states. But, there are

always one question that I always had in my back of my mind. What happens if I need a surgery? What happened if something serious happened and I'm overseas? And to be honest, they're

overseas? And to be honest, they're very, very fair questions because health care is one of the biggest fear veterans face when it comes to relocating, myself included. It's not crime, it's not

included. It's not crime, it's not language, it's not the visas. Health

care is so important, especially so when you vets want to relocate with your family. And a lot of you guys always

family. And a lot of you guys always assume that it is a risk. But, what

happened to me over the last month completely challenged that belief. And

that's why I knew I had to make this video about it. Because the fact of the matter is the average veterans does not have a benefit problem. They have a knowledge problem. That's why I'm always

knowledge problem. That's why I'm always saying you guys, the VA is not the problem, your lack of knowledge is. Let

me explain. Most veterans know enough about the system to collect the compensation. Very few of you guys know

compensation. Very few of you guys know enough about the system to create freedom. There's a huge difference. The

freedom. There's a huge difference. The

difference here is one veterans receive benefits and call it a day. Another

veterans leverages the benefits. One

veteran asks, "What do I qualify for?"

Another veteran asks, "What kind of life can I build with the benefits that I have earned?" And this is my biggest

have earned?" And this is my biggest mission in life right now to get you guys to understand that the VA is more than just the compensation. Yes, that's

the nice part. Yes, that's a great check and that's the foundation, but there's so much more to creating a life of freedom and abundance for you and your family if you employ the benefits that you have earned from serving your

country properly. And if I can just get

country properly. And if I can just get that message across to one veteran, thank you God, I've done my job. And one

of those major benefits is the foreign medical program because it isn't just a health care benefit. It's a benefit that expand your option beyond the boundaries of the United States of America. And

every benefit that give you option gives you freedom. So, let me start to break

you freedom. So, let me start to break this down so you guys to conceptualize.

This is the framework I want you guys to remember throughout this entire video.

Level one, learn your benefits. Most

veterans stops at just receiving the compensation. Level two, I want you to

compensation. Level two, I want you to use your benefits. Some veterans make it here, some don't, but if you guys are watching this video and you're taking notes and actually implementing what I'm teaching, you are going to make it past

that. Level three, you got to optimize

that. Level three, you got to optimize your benefits. This is where life starts

your benefits. This is where life starts to change when you start optimizing these benefits and putting yourself in a position to maximize every single one of them. If you need help with this, I

them. If you need help with this, I literally have one of the best number one school community group for veterans learning all the benefits that they have earned that is offered to them in the description below. Click that link, join

description below. Click that link, join the school community group. It's

absolutely free. And go start reading the mission brief because we're dropping gems and show up to the live calls because you're going to get informed in there as well. So, optimize your benefits. There's so many that you guys

benefits. There's so many that you guys don't know about that is all in my school community group. So, I'll see you in there. Level four is use your

in there. Level four is use your benefits to create options. Different

locations, different opportunities, different lifestyle, you know, don't be those veterans that get out and you're stagnant to uh uh uh staying in the same situation even though it's hurting you because

that's your norm. And that's the biggest problem I I I see when it comes to talking to so many of the veterans that I talked to on a day-to-day. We are so conditioned to sitting in pain that it becomes our norm that we don't take the

actions we know we need to take to eliminate the stressor and the pain because we're afraid of the unknown.

It's so crazy, you know, like but it makes so much sense because that's military culture. You suck it up, you deal with it, you don't complain, you just keep moving. But now you're not in the military, you're outside. You are

a civilian now. Well, you're not a civilian because most civilians don't have the experiences you have.

But also you're not in the military no more. You're just you're a veteran. So

more. You're just you're a veteran. So

you got to create that identity and what that means for you. And that means utilizing all your your benefits to the highest potential to create a life of abundance, at least for me. And my

message is what I want for you guys to comprehend and take away from these videos. Level five, you create freedom.

videos. Level five, you create freedom.

The ultimate goal here is freedom. You

didn't serve in the military call all that time, make all that sacrifice to go and live a life of struggle, a life of survival. That truly breaks my heart

survival. That truly breaks my heart when I hear veterans are struggling after serving because I know what it took for me to serve. I know the sacrifices I made. I'm 30 years old and I had freaking knee surgery. Um my back

is cooked, my neck hurts, and I know for a fact that there are so many other veterans that have made way more sacrifices than me to serve the great nation of the United States of America.

Do not make that sacrifice and then go back and struggle. You have earned the right to live a life of abundance. I

don't care what anybody tell you, especially when they're civilians and they're just speaking on veteran benefits. That really grinds my gear.

benefits. That really grinds my gear.

I'll be wanting to just give them a a knuckle sandwich right in the kisser.

A knuckle sandwich right in the kisser.

All right? But we can't cuz we we are we we are rehabilitating now, you know? But

all jokes aside, back to the video.

The foreign medical program is one of the best tools that can help veterans move from level three to level four and ultimately level five, which is the freedom level. Most veterans never get

freedom level. Most veterans never get there because nobody teaches them how.

Not anymore. Keep watching the video, start taking notes, and start implementing. Here is where things start

implementing. Here is where things start to get really interesting. Most veterans

hear about the foreign medical programs and immediately assume one of four different things. Number one, it

different things. Number one, it probably doesn't work for me. You're

absolutely wrong. If you have service-connected disability, right, that has been annotated and verified by the VA, the foreign medical program will absolutely work for you. Number two, it probably only works in certain

situation. That's partially true, but

situation. That's partially true, but it's not for the reason most of you guys think. Number three, it's probably too

think. Number three, it's probably too complicated. Absolutely 100% wrong. The

complicated. Absolutely 100% wrong. The

foreign medical program is very, very simple. The VA actually did a really

simple. The VA actually did a really great job with this one. Very simple.

Signing up for it literally takes like 5 minutes, and then you you got to follow with it, which could take about 90 days.

But, you can still be getting seen within those days. Number four, if it was valuable, somebody would have told me about it. 100% wrong, and that's one of the biggest limiting belief that I've heard from so many veterans. Why the VA

don't talk about it? Because the VA don't care that much to come and give you a brief on all these different things. You got to be a advocate for

things. You got to be a advocate for yourself, and you got to educate yourself by watching and sharing these these videos from yours truly.

Seamless plug, baby. Hey, if you like that seamless plug, let me know in the comments section. I got more coming.

comments section. I got more coming.

But, with all jokes aside, guys, you have to be the advocate for yourself, you know? And that's just the brutal

you know? And that's just the brutal honest reality. No one is coming to save

honest reality. No one is coming to save you.

You have to save yourself. But, the

beautiful thing about all of that is you're not a victim. You served in the United States military, the best military on this planet. I don't know as as of now with that drone we took from Iran.

Sing. Listen, guys, the jokes are going to keep coming as they come to my dome.

So, if you're not here for it, get out of here, man. We don't want you. No

stiffy here. We have fun here, all right? But, that's just the reality of

right? But, that's just the reality of it, you know? You have to be a advocate for yourself, and you have to push for yourself, and that only happens when you start educating yourself. Because once

you understand the the whole system, an entirely different set of possibility becomes available for you. Now, before

we get any further into my surgery story in Panama and how the billing process work, we need to talk about the actual program itself. So, what that means, so

program itself. So, what that means, so you fully understand is look at your VA decision letters or more specifically when you apply for the FMP program, they're going to give you a new

letter that have like your service connected conditions on there. Look at

that. Everything that is on that letter is what you can get service for free of charge outside of the United States. It

depends on what where country you're in.

When I was in Southeast Asia, they knew about the FMP program and they took it, but the difference in Southeast Asia was a you had to go and get seen and pay out of pocket, and then you had to submit it

to the VA and get reimbursed later, and that would take months sometimes. And

that's where I didn't sit right with me.

So, essentially, not every conditions, not every illness, you know, not every doctor appointment is going to be covered by this program. It's only

covers your service-connected disability. This is why it's very

disability. This is why it's very important if you do plan on relocating outside of the United States, file your claims and get everything that is happening with you service-connected.

Even if it's at 0%, it's still rated and it's still service-connected. For my

example, my foot I have rated for flat feet, and the percentage on that is like 0%, but I can still get seen for my foot outside here because it's still rated and it's service-connected. So, your

biggest goal when it comes to relocating, if you have the time, the first thing you need to do is get your everything that you're dealing with service-connected if you don't want to pay out of pocket. But if you do have to pay out of pocket, I have another

strategy for you guys. Stay tuned to this videos. I'm literally going to be

this videos. I'm literally going to be breaking it down, giving you guys actionable steps that you can take to even get um taken care of all your non-service connected. Stay tuned, guys.

non-service connected. Stay tuned, guys.

Let's move back to the FMP because your disability rating isn't just about the compensation, it's about access. Access

to this freedom and access to get seen outside of the US. So, let's talk about some of the misconception that veterans have when it comes to the FMP program.

One of the biggest misconception that I've heard is, "Yo, I don't plan on living overseas. I don't need to learn

living overseas. I don't need to learn about this program." That's absolutely wrong. You don't need to be living

wrong. You don't need to be living overseas to utilize this program because even I did a video the other day about the Veteran Care International which is a health awareness trip that the VA

offered under the FMP program that allows you to spend 7 days and 7 nights in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic getting a whole health awareness assessment and

treatment covered by the VA. So, if you stay in the states, right, you can still utilize that program under the FMP. So,

don't think you have to be living outside of the US to utilize this program. That's not the case. There are

program. That's not the case. There are

multiple programs similar to that right there and I'm actually in the process of building something similar down here in Panama, as well. You know, by God's grace, I'll be able to launch that pretty soon. Stay tuned. Join my school

pretty soon. Stay tuned. Join my school community group if you want to get updates on that, but I'm working on that. It just goes to show, don't limit

that. It just goes to show, don't limit yourself. Get the education. You don't

yourself. Get the education. You don't

need to be living overseas to understand this program or to utilize this program.

Mistake number two, most of you guys have never even heard of this program.

Think about how crazy this is. Most of

you guys know about your VA disability, the GI bill, the home loan, and somewhat the VR&E. Y'all you guys know like one

the VR&E. Y'all you guys know like one part of the VR&E, but don't even know there's other there's like total of five parts, but that I digress. We're not

going to speak on that in this video.

But, very few veterans that I've talked to know about FMP, SMC, dependent benefits, ChampVA, and so on and so forth. And it's not because it's hidden.

forth. And it's not because it's hidden.

Literally, all this information is on the VA website. You can go to va.gov right now

website. You can go to va.gov right now and there all the information is there, but it's because you guys are not putting in the time to educate yourself.

Once you get that 100%, you're just like, "That's it. I'm done. Peace out,

VA." But, that's not the case. So, for

props to you guys that are are subscribing to the channel, liking the video, sharing the video, because you're going the extra mile. You're taking

going above and beyond and securing yourself the freedom that you deserve.

Mistake number three, you know, a lot of you vets think like healthcare overseas is subpar compared to the ones in the States. And I'm a walking testament that

States. And I'm a walking testament that it is the same equivalent depending on the country now. Depending on the country, it is the same equivalent if not even better. Because based off my experience when I was in the States,

lord it would take me a battle just to get seen for the simplest thing like my neck, my back. Take me weeks on weeks on weeks. But literally, outside here,

weeks. But literally, outside here, especially in Panama, getting seen is day-to-day basic. It's been 1 month of

day-to-day basic. It's been 1 month of my surgery to my knees to repair my meniscus. It's been 1 month and within

meniscus. It's been 1 month and within that month, I got seen through the ER in 4 hours. The next week I had um a

4 hours. The next week I had um a scheduled consultation with the surgeon once they discovered my meniscus had been torn torn.

The following week I had my surgery. The

the next week I was cleared to start physical therapy and literally I'm recovering so much faster because they just they the care is just so much there that, you know, there's not a waiting

time. Now you ask yourself, how long

time. Now you ask yourself, how long would it have taken you from the point of your injury to physical therapy in the States? And is is it a States for Is

the States? And is is it a States for Is it a VA for? No, it's not cuz, you know, it's overwhelmed. Most of the time these

it's overwhelmed. Most of the time these providers are on the staff, underpaid, and they they themselves are going through mental issues and tired and drained and and burning out. So how can you expect them to give you exceptional

service when they themselves are not receiving exceptional service or getting compensated adequately. Um

so, again, it's a systemic failure to veterans. But you have the options to

veterans. But you have the options to take charge. There are There's Vietnam,

take charge. There are There's Vietnam, Thailand Malaysia Indonesia Bali and my personal favorite, Panama. And all

these countries I've actually lived in and have experienced healthcare in them.

So I'm speaking from real-world experience. Hold up. Hold up. Real

experience. Hold up. Hold up. Real

quick vets.

YouTube tells me that 93.8% of you guys are watching the video but not subscribing. That's like my ex-girlfriend wanting all my VA benefits

but not committing to me. Come on, man.

You know, I put a lot of work, a lot of sweat into these videos. So, if it's bringing value to you, just hit the subscribe button. It

literally takes nothing from you, but it tells YouTube that what we're doing here at VA Claims Made Easy is actually helping the community, so they'll promote and push to more veterans. And

ultimately, that's our goal. So, go

ahead and take the time out right now.

Just subscribe to the channel. Now that

you understand how the FMP works, let's talk about how to enroll and use it correctly. So, this framework I call my

correctly. So, this framework I call my preparation framework, and I want you guys all to take notes and write this down, especially if you plan on relocating outside of the states or getting treatment outside of America.

Step one, you got to know your service-connected conditions. This

service-connected conditions. This sounds very simple, but it might be the most important steps. Most veterans know their overall ratings, but they don't know their service-connected disability.

Step two, learn about this program before you actually need it. The worst

thing you can do is be suffering from a severe injury or going through pain and trying to rush to the hospital and then having to sign up for the FMP while you're in the hospital waiting to be seen. Absolutely worst thing you can do.

seen. Absolutely worst thing you can do.

If you actually learn, educate, sign up for it in the event something do happen, which we don't wish on anyone, but if accident happen while you're there, you simply just have to hand them your

service-connected FMP letter, especially here in Panama, and you'll be able to get seen. Step three, keep your records

get seen. Step three, keep your records organized. If there is one thing the

organized. If there is one thing the military taught us is that documentation matter. The same thing is true when it

matter. The same thing is true when it comes to this case right here. Keep

copies of everything, medical records, x-ray, MRI results, prescriptions, doctor notes, treatment plans, everything. Document it, keep your own

everything. Document it, keep your own records. It is going to be sent to the

records. It is going to be sent to the VA and it's going to be added to your treatment record if you're here in Panama. When you're out there in some of

Panama. When you're out there in some of these other countries, um I'm not really sure about that, but first specific specifically for Panama, because Panama is so well integrated to the US system, especially for the the hospital that I

went to, your medical records and stuff is going to be reported back to the VA, and that's how the hospitals and the healthcare providers are going to get compensated as well. So, but regardless of that fact, you want to keep your own

documents. Step four, you want to

documents. Step four, you want to understand the two billing models. There

are generally two experiences veterans encounter. Experience number one is the

encounter. Experience number one is the direct billing. Experience number two is

direct billing. Experience number two is pay first and seek reimbursement later.

This distinction is very important and is one of the reason my Panama experience stood out, because in Panama, most of the healthcare provider here understand how to bill the VA directly.

Like, they literally have the sheet, fill it out, you sign it, and they'll be able to submit it. And like I said it, when you were in those Southeast Asian countries, you have to fall under the other payment methods, which is you pay out of pocket and then you collect all

your documentations and proof and submit it to the VA on your own, and then the VA compensate you months later. That's

one of the reason I left uh Southeast Asia, because I was not trying to deal with that. Even though healthcare over

with that. Even though healthcare over there is is cheaper, you could possibly pay for it. Like, I went and I got um my ankle seen over there. I paid out of pocket. It was just like $15 when I was

pocket. It was just like $15 when I was in Bali um to get my ankles treated. And

I was going to physical therapy while I was in Bali as well, too. And each

session was around $20. Very very cheap, like 20 USD. Step five, you want to research before the emergency. The

biggest mistake veterans make when it comes to healthcare overseas is they don't even be knowing what provider does what. They just be winging it. Come on,

what. They just be winging it. Come on,

guys. You got You cannot be winging your health when it comes to being overseas.

Sit down, do some research wherever you are. If you're in Panama, you know, you

are. If you're in Panama, you know, you got hospitals like Pacifica Salud, Panama Clinic, and a lot of the clinics down here does understand FMP, and so they'll be able to help you and do it.

But you as a veteran need to know which clinic actually understand the process.

And also, you want want mindful as well, because if you're just going out there um some some of these clinics might not have your best interest and they might be trying to manipulate the system. So,

make sure you go to a reputable clinic or hospital that's actually going to process the self right and do right by the VA and do right by you. If you need to know any of these hospital in Panama

specifically, your best bet is to join my school company group. I have all of that information already in there and you can go and just read it and arm yourself with knowledge. So, surgery day came eventually and that was the

scariest part. As I'm laying there on

scariest part. As I'm laying there on the surgeon table, I'm running all kinds of terrible scenario in my head of the worst thing that can happen. But, that

was not the case here in Panama, guys.

The surgeon came and reassured me. He

knew what he was doing cuz I guess they could tell from my face that I was freaking out and I was. I'll be honest with you, guys.

I was freaking out. This was my first time getting surgery outside of the country and, you know, especially in Latin America. But, so I was like really

Latin America. But, so I was like really really scared. I'm thinking like, "Yo,

really scared. I'm thinking like, "Yo, man, they're going to I'm going to go there, wake up, my left spleen going to be gone, my right testicle is going to be missing, and I'm just going to be like cooked." But, surgeon came, he

like cooked." But, surgeon came, he reassured me, "Hey, I'm a professional.

I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm board

certified." All of these things. And

then, the aestheticianist, I think that's what it's called, the person who put you to sleep, came and they like, "We're going to At first, I was supposed to be awake for the surgery, right? But,

I guess I was supposed to be awake for the surgery and they're just going to numb everything. But, they started seeing me

everything. But, they started seeing me freaking out and they were like, "Yo, this guy is too big to be freaking out on the surgeon surgery table." So, he came and he switched the plan. He was

like, "Hey, we're going to put you to sleep. It's going to be calm and we're

sleep. It's going to be calm and we're just going to put you to sleep." And he started playing music in the background and I was listening to the music and then I wake up and I'm laying there.

Surgery's done. And they came in there and told me, "Hey, congratulations. It

went exactly as planned. You did a phenomenal job." And I'm like, "I don't

phenomenal job." And I'm like, "I don't remember anything." And they were like,

remember anything." And they were like, "Perfect."

"Perfect." So, I checked everything. Spleen was

still there, you know, you know, my nerves were still there, too. So, I was just like, oh, I'm joking

too. So, I was just like, oh, I'm joking around, guys. But, yeah, so all jokes

around, guys. But, yeah, so all jokes aside, the surgeon the surgery was very professional. It was very clean. And it

professional. It was very clean. And it

was just it was a great experience. And

within a month, I'm already doing physical therapy. I'm walking again. I'm

physical therapy. I'm walking again. I'm

putting weight on the knee a little bit.

And they said I can expect to go through maybe a 90 days for it to be fully recovered and fully healed. So, this is my real-world experience. You guys know I like to share my actual life and what I'm experiencing and turn it into

teaching lessons for you guys. So, if

you're watching this and you're thinking about going overseas, you're dealing with your service-connected injuries, and you don't know if the health care system is going to be adequate enough to support you. From my experience in

support you. From my experience in Panama, it absolutely is. Even in some of these Southeast Asian countries, it is. It's just the billing process is a

is. It's just the billing process is a little different. Now, I told you guys I

little different. Now, I told you guys I will tell you the strategies that you can use when it comes to getting your non-service connected disability taken care of as well. Because if you're using

the FMP, it's only for the veteran. Let

me say that again. The FMP program is literally only specifically for the veteran. So, if you're having family

veteran. So, if you're having family members, if you're in Panama, they take TRICARE and TRICARE overseas down here. If you're on side of

down here. If you're on side of different countries, it varies. But, I'm

going to be speaking specifically to Panama. Make sure you go to the right

Panama. Make sure you go to the right hospital or health care provider and explain that to them if you have those services. Also, what most people do,

services. Also, what most people do, myself included, is I combine my own local insurance here with the FMP. So,

all my service-connected disability are covered by the FMP. And in the event I run into something that is not covered by the FMP, I have a insurance policy that covers it. And the insurance policy

here are very cheap in Panama. They're

like $80 a month for a million dollars covered. Again,

covered. Again, your experience are going to be a little bit different. I'm speaking from my

bit different. I'm speaking from my specific experience. You're going to

specific experience. You're going to need to get a quote and get that quote specifically to you. I'm just giving you guys my insight and my experience to help you when it comes to relocating overseas, all right? So, let me put that out there before someone come and leave

in the comments saying, "I didn't get no $80 for a million." Because you're not me.

Insurance is different. All right, so but again, they have great insurance here that are affordable, completely different from what we're used to in the States, and it gave you access to the private health care system, which is

phenomenal here in Panama. Now, a lot of other people would say public health care system sucks. Again, you're not using public. You're going to be on the

using public. You're going to be on the private. You can You can afford it,

private. You can You can afford it, especially if you're a retired veteran.

You know, that that other stuff doesn't pertain to you. Just understand that's the strategy. That's the best strategy I

the strategy. That's the best strategy I can recommend for you guys that are looking to relocate is you combine the two. Also, before leaving, if you can,

two. Also, before leaving, if you can, like I stated earlier, get every single conditions service connected so that you don't have to worry about it when you do come outside of the, you know, United

States and you can get it all seen as much as possible. With that being said, key things I want you to take away from this video is one, prepare yourself, educate yourself on the foreign medical program

before you have to use it. Two, if

you're in Panama, Panama recognizes your status as a veteran here, your foreign medical program will absolutely work down here. You can use it for all

down here. You can use it for all service connected disability, and they bill directly to the VA and not like the reimbursement that, you know, most people have to do when it comes to all these other foreign countries. Number

three, rest assured that the health care system in Panama is phenomenal. The

private health care system is phenomenal, which you guys will all qualify for, especially when it comes to using the FMP, or you get the insurance covered. With that being said, my name

covered. With that being said, my name is Ruben Gama. I am the CEO of VA Claims Made Easy. I

Made Easy. I take great pride in creating these videos for you guys to share my experience and hopefully bring insight into you. If you are a veteran and

into you. If you are a veteran and you're interested in relocating, retiring, or just visiting Panama, there's a link in the in the Click it. I

I'll a service that will help you with all of those. It will help you relocate if that's what you need. It will help you visit the country. We have veteran tours as well, or it will help you understand how you can use your FMP

program down here in Panama as well.

Uh so, take a look at that. Also, if you want to reach out to me directly, the fastest path to do that is email school community group. The link is also in the

community group. The link is also in the description. In there, you'll be able to

description. In there, you'll be able to send me a direct message, and I spend most of my time on there. Also, we have a weekly live calls where we discuss different benefits that veterans don't know about that they can use to maximize, their life and create a life

of abundance.

Third, if you are looking to file your claims in 2026, there's a link in the description as well. Click it, and you'll go check out my app, the VA Claims Made Easy. It is the TurboTax

versions of VA Claims. You know how TurboTax helps people file their taxes?

The VA Claims Made Easy app helps you file your VA claims, and it gives you all the power, right? The VA got AI.

It's time you start using AI to empower yourself as well, too. And we help guide you through the whole process of using that app and explaining how to do it. I

truly hope this video brought value, and if it did, kindly share with a veteran that you know it's going to bring value to. And don't forget to take a look at

to. And don't forget to take a look at this video.

Mhm. Okay. It's like really a good one right here.

And this one.

>> Wow.

>> Really? That's very interesting. They're

equally going to bring you as much value as this one has. I'll see you guys either in the school community group or in the next video. Stay blessed

everyone. Peace.