As a retired US Navy Sailor, it is important to me in my research to find any and all services that are available to veterans in Central America.
You must take what you read here and in the other articles linked here with a grain of salt and realize Your Mileage May Vary. This is not because anyone wants to mislead you, but the reality of life in Central America is that things change all the time. What may be true today could be wrong tomorrow due to change in law, rule or policy. Also sometimes the person you talk to may not have all the correct information.
Due to the US Military presence in Panama from 1903 to 1999, there has been a growing veteran expat presence throughout Central America. There are now VA and DOD representatives in some of the Embassies. Some volunteers have stepped up to provide de facto liaison offices for some services.
I am going to be collecting links to the information I find and placing them here for everyone. I will add to this list as I become aware of new information.
Retired Military & Annuitants Pay
Phone: 800-321-1080
Website: http://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary.html
Medical & Dental
Tricare Service Center
There are no service centers in Central America
Customer Service Regional Direct: +1 215-942-8393
Website: http://www.tricare-overseas.com/
http://www.tricare-overseas.com/contact-us/latin-america-and-canada/country?tricareregion=latam&country=panama
Tricare Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator (BCAC)
Latin America Office
Phone: 210-292-8524
DSN: 554-8524
Fax: 210-292-3224
Tricare BCAC Directory: http://www.tricare.mil/bcacdcao/
Tricare Dental Program
Phone: 1-855-638-8372
Website: http://www.tricare.mil/Dental.aspx
http://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Dental/TDP.aspx
https://employeedental.metlife.com/dental/public/EmpEntry.do
https://www.metdental.com/prov/execute/home
VA Foreign Medical Program
https://www.va.gov/PURCHASEDCARE/programs/veterans/fmp/index.asp
https://www.va.gov/PURCHASEDCARE/docs/pubfiles/brochures/FMP_brochure.pdf
Costa Rica
Panama