CHAMPVA benefits
Are you the spouse or surviving spouse of—or a child of—a Veteran with disabilities or a Veteran who has died? If you don’t qualify for TRICARE (the Department of Defense’s health care program for active-duty and retired service members and their families), you may be able to get health insurance through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). Through this program, we cover the cost of some of your health care services and supplies. This is called cost sharing. Find out if you qualify for CHAMPVA and how to apply.
Can I get health care through CHAMPVA?
You can only get health care through CHAMPVA if you don’t qualify for TRICARE and at least one of the descriptions below is true for you.
At least one of these must be true. You’re:
The spouse or child of a Veteran who’s been rated permanently and totally disabled for a service-connected disability by a VA regional benefit office, or The surviving spouse or child of a Veteran who died from a VA-rated service-connected disability, or The surviving spouse or child of a Veteran who was at the time of death rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability, or The surviving spouse or child of a service member who died in the line of duty, not due to misconduct (in most of these cases, family members qualify for TRICARE, not CHAMPVA).
A service-connected disability is a disability that we’ve concluded was caused—or made worse—by the Veteran’s active-duty service. A permanent disability is one that’s not expected to improve.
Note: A Veteran who’s the qualifying CHAMPVA sponsor for their family may also qualify for the VA health care program based on their own Veteran status. If 2 spouses are both Veterans who qualify as CHAMPVA sponsors for their family, they both may now qualify for CHAMPVA benefits. Each time they need medical care, they may choose to get care through the VA health care program or using their CHAMPVA coverage.
What else might affect whether I can get CHAMPVA benefits for myself or a family member?
There are other factors that may affect whether you or other family members qualify for CHAMPVA. Please click on the description that matches your status to learn more:
A new or expectant parent a surviving spouse who’s currently remarried a surviving spouse whose remarriage has ended by death, divorce, or annulment an 18-to-23-year-old dependent child of a Veteran a Veteran’s stepchild who leaves the Veteran’s household a primary family caregiver of a Veteran with injuries and/or disabilities a CHAMPVA beneficiary who’s 65 years old or older—or who qualifies for Medicare at any age
What benefits do I get with CHAMPVA?
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.
Covered services include:
Ambulance service Ambulatory surgery Durable medical equipment (DME)Family planning and maternity Hospice Inpatient services Mental health services Outpatient services Pharmacy (prescription medicines)Skilled nursing care Transplants
When you’re signed up for CHAMPVA, you’ll get a copy of the CHAMPVA Program Guide. This guide will tell you more about covered and non-covered services and supplies.
How do I get CHAMPVA benefits?
You’ll need to apply for these benefits.
To apply, submit these required documents:
Documents related to your Medicare status:
If you qualify for Medicare for any reason, you’ll need to submit a copy of your Medicare card.
If you’re 65 years old or older and don’t qualify for Medicare, you’ll need to send us documentation from the Social Security Administration that confirms you don’t qualify for Medicare benefits under anyone’s Social Security number.
To speed up the processing of your application, you can also send copies (not originals) of these optional documents:
The page from the VBA rating decision 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. Find out how to request military service records online, by mail, or by fax Documents related to any dependent children you’re including in your application:A copy of each child’s birth certificate or adoption papers School certification of full-time enrollment for children ages 18-23. Download our fact sheet on school enrollment certification requirements (PDF)
If you’re a surviving spouse who remarried but is once again single, also send a copy of the legal document that ended your marriage. This may be a divorce decree, death certificate, or annulment decree.
Be sure to sign and date your application. If your Veteran is applying for you as a spouse, be sure to also include the date of the marriage on the application.
Mail your application to:
VHA Office of Community Care CHAMPVA Eligibility PO Box 469028 Denver, CO 80246-9028
Or fax it to: 303-331-7809
What happens after I apply?
Once we get your application, we’ll review it to be sure it’s complete and includes all required forms. If it’s not complete, we’ll return it to you with more instructions. Download application instructions (PDF)
How long will it take to hear back about my application?
If you send us all required and optional documents—and if your application is complete—it’ll take about 6 weeks after we get your package until you get your CHAMPVA ID card and related materials.
If you send us only the required documents, it may take 2 to 8 months since we’ll need to confirm your information with other federal agencies.
Get more information
Get answers to frequently asked questions about CHAMPVA
Find out how to file a CHAMPVA claim
Find out if you can get care at a local VA medical center when you’re covered under CHAMPVA
Last updated: June 14, 2019