CHAMPVA insurance provides eligible beneficiaries with high-quality healthcare coverage, to include healthcare services and supplies, at almost no cost.
But, you might be wondering if CHAMPVA insurance is good or bad?
In our experience at VA Claims Insider, CHAMPVA is a fantastic healthcare benefits program with very few, if any, drawbacks.
In general, CHAMPVA covers the cost of most healthcare services and supplies that are medically necessary for beneficiaries.
CHAMPVA currently has an outpatient deductible cost of $50 per calendar year and a cost share of 25% of the CHAMPVA allowable charge, up to the catastrophic cap, which is $3,000 per calendar year.
- What is CHAMPVA?
- CHAMPVA Eligibility Criteria
- What services does CHAMPVA cover?
- List of 11 services covered by CHAMPVA insurance
- List of 9 services NOT covered by CHAMPVA insurance
- Does CHAMPVA have an approved list of providers?
- Do I have to use the CHAMPVA provider network to see a doctor?
- Can I use a VA Doctor or VA Facility for CHAMPVA?
- Do I need to get pre-authorization for services under CHAMPVA?
- List of 10 services that require CHAMPVA pre-authorization
- CHAMPVA coverage outside the United States
- Exceptions to the CHAMPVA pre-authorization requirement
- How much will CHAMPVA cover?
- Can I have other insurance and use CHAMPVA?
- Medicare versus CHAMPVA
- CHAMPVA versus TRICARE
- CHAMPVA Application
- How long does it take to get my CHAMPVA application approved?
- CHAMPVA Required Application Documents
- Optional CHAMPVA Application Documents
- CHAMPVA School Enrollment for Dependents Ages 18-23
- CHAMPVA Contact Information Card
- CHAMPVA Mailing Address
- CHAMPVA Fax Number
- About The Author
What is CHAMPVA?
The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a health benefits program in which the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shares the cost of certain health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries.
CHAMPVA is managed by the Veterans Health Administration Office of Community Care (VHA OCC) in Denver, Colorado.
The VHA OCC verifies CHAMPVA eligibility, authorizes benefits, and processes medical claims for beneficiaries.
>> Click HERE to download the official CHAMPVA program guide <<
CHAMPVA Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for CHAMPVA, the beneficiary CANNOT be eligible for TRICARE.
Click HERE to download the official CHAMPVA eligibility factsheet
CHAMPVA provides coverage to the spouse or widow AND to the children of a veteran who:
- Is rated 100% Permanently and Totally (P&T) disabled due to a service-connected disability, OR
- Was rated permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition at the time of death, OR
- Died of a service-connected disability, OR
- Died on active duty and the dependents are not otherwise eligible for Department of Defense TRICARE benefits.
Effective October 1, 2001, CHAMPVA benefits were extended to those age 65 and older.
To be eligible for CHAMPVA, you must also meet the following conditions:
- If the beneficiary was 65 or older prior to June 5, 2001, and was otherwise eligible for CHAMPVA, and was entitled to Medicare Part A coverage, then the beneficiary will be eligible for CHAMPVA without having to have Medicare Part B coverage.
- If the beneficiary turned 65 before June 5, 2001, and has Medicare Parts A and B, the beneficiary must keep both Medicare Parts A & B to be eligible for CHAMPVA.
- If the beneficiary turned age 65 on or after June 5, 2001, the beneficiary must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to be eligible for CHAMPVA.
What services does CHAMPVA cover?
CHAMPVA covers most medically necessary health care services, including ambulance service, ambulatory surgery, durable medical equipment (DME), family planning and maternity, hospice, inpatient services, mental health services, outpatient services, pharmacy, skilled nursing care and transplants.
With CHAMPVA, you’ll be covered for services and supplies when we determine they are medically necessary and were received from an authorized provider.
When providers are performing services within the scope of their license or certification, we consider them to be authorized.
List of 11 services covered by CHAMPVA insurance
- #1. Ambulance service
- #2. Ambulatory surgery
- #3. Durable medical equipment (DME)
- #4. Family planning and maternity
- #5. Hospice
- #6. Inpatient services
- #7. Mental health services
- #8. Outpatient medical services
- #9. Pharmacy (prescription medicines)
- #10. Skilled nursing care
- #11. Transplants
CHAMPVA pays for covered services and supplies when they are determined to be medically necessary and are received from an authorized provider.
When providers are performing services within the scope of their license or certification, we consider them to be authorized.
The most common providers for CHAMPVA are: anesthesiologist, audiologist, certified clinical social worker, certified nurse midwife, certified nurse practitioner (NP or CNP), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), certified physician assistant (PA), certified psychiatric nurse specialist, clinical psychologist (Ph.D.), doctor of osteopathy (DO), licensed clinical speech therapist (LCST), licensed practical nurse (LPN), marriage and family counselor/therapist, medical doctor (MD), occupational therapist (OT), pastoral counselor, physical therapist (PT), physiologist, podiatrist (DPM), psychiatrist and registered nurse (RN).
You have many choices when selecting a provider for CHAMPVA!
Medical services may be available to you at your local VA Medical Center (VAMC) or clinic through the CHAMPVA In-house Treatment Initiative (CITI).
You may also choose to obtain medical services from non-VA providers.
List of 9 services NOT covered by CHAMPVA insurance
The following is a list of services that are NOT covered under CHAMPVA (this list is not all-inclusive):
- #1. Acupuncture
- #2. Chiropractic services
- #3. Most dental care, including dentures or partial dentures
- #4. Non-FDA-approved drugs
- #5. Routine hearing exams
- #6. Routine eye exams and glasses
- #7. Laser eye surgery
- #8. Experimental and investigational procedures
- #9. Health club memberships
Does CHAMPVA have an approved list of providers?
CHAMPVA does NOT have a network of medical providers.
However, most TRICARE providers will also accept CHAMPVA patients.
Use the TRICARE Find a Doctor feature to help you locate a provider in your area.
Ask that provider if they also accept CHAMPVA patients.
Most Medicare providers will also accept CHAMPVA patients.
Medicare providers can be located through their Medicare Website.
Do I have to use the CHAMPVA provider network to see a doctor?
No! Beneficiaries have many choices when selecting a provider for CHAMPVA.
Unlike other health insurance plans, CHAMPVA does NOT have a network of “approved” medical providers.
However, it is recommended that the Primary Family Caregiver ask the provider if they accept CHAMPVA insurance.
If the provider accepts CHAMPVA, the provider will then bill CHAMPVA directly.
Most Medicare and TRICARE providers WILL accept CHAMPVA patients.
The following websites can be used to help you locate a CHAMPVA medical provider:
- Medicare Website: Use the “Search Tools” at the bottom of the page to locate providers.
- TRICARE providers can be found on the TRICARE website at http://www.tricare.mil
Can I use a VA Doctor or VA Facility for CHAMPVA?
Yes, but you’ll need to call your local VA medical facility to ensure they participate in the CHAMPVA In-House Treatment Initiative (CITI).
The CHAMPVA CITI is a voluntary program that allows treatment of beneficiaries of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veteran Affairs (CHAMPVA) at Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs) that have elected to participate in CITI.
To find out if your local VA medical center or clinic participates in CITI, please contact the VA facility you’d like to use directly OR call 1-800-733-8387.
A link to a list of participating facilities with direct contact phone numbers is located in the RESOURCES section at the bottom of this page.
You may also contact the VHA Office of Community Care (VHA OCC) and ask for more information about CITI VA medical centers.
Do I need to get pre-authorization for services under CHAMPVA?
No, you do NOT need advance approval for care from CHAMPVA, unless the care relates to one of the medical services listed below.
Although CHAMPVA does NOT require authorization for most medical care, your physician may seek to obtain authorization for services other than those listed below.
In that case, your physician should call CHAMPVA regarding the service(s) in question.
List of 10 services that require CHAMPVA pre-authorization
- #1. Durable Medical Equipment (DME) with a purchase price or total rental of $2,000 or more
- #2. Mental health care (Contact CHAMPVA for required approval)
- #3. Inpatient mental health care
- #4. Care at residential treatment facilities (RTF)
- #5. Alcohol/substance abuse
- #6. Care in Partial Hospital Programs (PHP)
- #7. Requests for extensions to our yearly limits on inpatient mental health care
- #8. Outpatient mental health visits in excess of 23 per year
- #9. Dental care coverage (Dental coverage is very limited and under most circumstances is not covered)
- #10. Organ transplants
CHAMPVA coverage outside the United States
If you live or travel overseas (excluding countries that are restricted or prohibited by the U.S. Department of Treasury), you’ll get the same benefits and coverage as if you were in the U.S.
Reimbursement for health care claims in foreign countries is based on reasonable and customary billed amounts.
Your deductible and cost share will be the same as if you were in the U.S.
Claims written in English (billing and medical documentation) will be processed faster because there is no need to arrange for translation.
If the billing and medical documentation is written in a foreign language, translation will be arranged at no cost to you, but takes longer to process.
All payments are made in U.S. dollars.
Exceptions to the CHAMPVA pre-authorization requirement
Mental health services and durable medical equipment (DME) provided through the VA CITI program do NOT require pre-authorization.
How much will CHAMPVA cover?
In most cases, CHAMPVA’s allowable amount—what it will pay for specific services and supplies—is equivalent to current Medicare and TRICARE rates.
CHAMPVA has an outpatient deductible ($50 per beneficiary per calendar year or a maximum of $100 per family per calendar year) and a patient cost share of 25% of our allowable amount up to the catastrophic cap ($3,000 per calendar year).
Beneficiaries should NOT send checks to VHA OCC for their annual deductible; as claims are processed, charges are automatically credited to individual and family deductible requirements for each calendar year.
If your provider accepts assignment, which means the provider accepts CHAMPVA, the provider agrees to accept our allowable amount as payment in full.
A provider cannot bill you for the difference between our allowable amount and their normally billed amount.
If the patient has other health insurance, then CHAMPVA pays the lesser of either 75% of the allowable amount after the $50 calendar year deductible is satisfied, or the remainder of the charges and the beneficiary will normally have no cost share.
Can I have other insurance and use CHAMPVA?
Yes! If the beneficiary has Other Health Insurance (OHI), the OHI should be billed first.
The VA Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from the OHI should then be submitted with the claim for reimbursement to CHAMPVA.
By law, CHAMPVA is always the secondary payer except to Medicaid, State Victims of Crime Compensation Programs, Indian Health Services, and Supplemental CHAMPVA Policies.
Medicare versus CHAMPVA
As a result of a federal law passed June 5, 2001, CHAMPVA expanded benefit coverage to eligible family members and survivors of qualifying Veteran sponsors effective October 1, 2001.
If the beneficiary is eligible for CHAMPVA and has Medicare Part A entitlement (premium-free hospitalization coverage) and Medicare Part B (outpatient coverage), we will cover many of the costs not covered by Medicare.
CHAMPVA will pay after Medicare and any other insurance, such as Medicare HMOs and Medicare supplemental plans, for health care services and supplies.
CHAMPVA does NOT pay Medicare Part B premiums.
CHAMPVA versus TRICARE
Although similar, CHAMPVA is a separate and unrelated program with a totally different beneficiary population than TRICARE (a Department of Defense health care program formerly called CHAMPUS).
While the benefits are similar, the programs are administered separately with significant differences in claim filing procedures and preauthorization requirements.
CHAMPVA Application
In 2020, there are two primary ways to obtain the CHAMPVA application:
- #1. Complete the online fillable Application for CHAMPVA Benefits, VA Form 10-10d
- #2. Call the VHA Office of Community Care at 1-800-733-8387
How long does it take to get my CHAMPVA application approved?
Applicants can expect to receive written notification from the VHA Office of Community Care within 45 calendar days (or 6 weeks) after mailing their application.
To streamline the process, applicants are encouraged to complete the Application for CHAMPVA Benefits in its entirety and to attach all required documents.
As further explained on the application, required documents include a copy of each applicant’s Medicare card (if eligible for Medicare) and a School Enrollment Certification Letter for all applicant children between the ages of 18 and 23 years.
CHAMPVA Required Application Documents
To apply for CHAMPVA benefits, you must submit the following documents:
- Application for CHAMPVA Benefits, VA Form 10-10d
- Other Health Insurance (OHI) Certification, VA Form 10-7959c
- For individuals who are eligible for Medicare for any reason, you will need a copy of your Medicare card
- If you are age 65 or older and not entitled to Medicare, you must send documentation from the Social Security Administration that confirms you are not entitled to Medicare benefits under anyone’s social security number
To speed up the processing of your CHAMPVA application, you can also send copies (do NOT send originals) of these optional documents:
- Your VA Benefits Summary Verification Letter showing your Veteran is permanently and totally disabled (or the death rating if you’re a survivor)
- Your Veteran’s DD214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)—or, if the Veteran was a World War II or Korean War Veteran, the Report of Separation. If you don’t have a copy of the necessary form, you can request it by submitting a Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, from the National Archives
- Documents related to any dependent children you’re including in your application such as a copy of each child’s birth certificate or adoption papers
Optional CHAMPVA Application Documents
You can speed the processing of your application if you also send copies of (do not send originals):
- The page from the VBA rating decision showing the Veteran is permanently and totally disabled (or death rating for a survivor). >> Click HERE to learn how to download a copy of your VA Benefits Summary Letter <<
- Veteran’s DD214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or if the Veteran was a WWII or Korea veteran, the Report of Separation. If you do not have a copy of the necessary form, you may request it by submitting a Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records, from the National Archives.
- If you are a remarried widow/widower and are once again single, provide a copy of the legal documentation that terminated the remarriage. The legal documentation of termination of a remarriage may be a divorce decree, death certificate or annulment decree.
- Birth certificate/adoption papers for children.
CHAMPVA School Enrollment for Dependents Ages 18-23
Children between 18 and 23 years of age must submit a school enrollment certification letter confirming full-time student status.
Click HERE for the CHAMPVA school enrollment factsheet for children ages 18-23
This is required in order to continue eligibility for CHAMPVA benefits.
Questions should be sent to the VHA Office of Community Care (VHA CC) at the address listed above or via the CHAMPVA toll-free customer service number: 1-800-733-8387, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.
VHA Office of Community Care can also be contacted by email using the VA Inquiry Routing and Information System (IRIS).
Please go to the IRIS website and complete the online form.
To submit a student’s full-time enrollment status, please have a school official complete this form and submit it to the address listed above.
Click HERE to download the CHAMPVA School Enrollment Certification Letter
For immediate processing, have the school FAX the enrollment certification to (303) 331-7809.
SPECIAL NOTE: School enrollment certification letters MUST be faxed directly from the school in order to be considered valid.
CHAMPVA Contact Information Card
CHAMPVA Mailing Address
The 2020 CHAMPVA mailing address is:
VHA Office of Community Care
CHAMPVA Eligibility
PO Box 469028
Denver CO 80246-9028
DON’T FORGET to sign and date the application BEFORE mailing in the forms!
Also, if applying for a spouse, please include the date of marriage on the application.
CHAMPVA Fax Number
The 2020 CHAMPVA fax number is:
(303) 331-7809
About The Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is one of the top VA disability benefits experts in the world and bestselling author of You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits You’ve Earned (Second Edition).
Brian’s frustration with the VA claim process led him to create VA Claims Insider, which provides disabled veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned to win their VA disability compensation claim, faster, even if they’ve already filed, been denied, gave up, or don’t know where to start.
As the founder of VA Claims Insider and CEO of Military Disability Made Easy, he has helped serve more than 10 million military members and veterans since 2013 through free online educational resources.
He is a former active duty Air Force officer with extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class).
