How to apply for CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)

Who it's for

CHAMPVA is the VA's health-care program for spouses, surviving spouses, and dependent children of veterans who are rated 100% permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition, who died of a service-connected condition, or who died on active duty. CHAMPVA shares the cost of covered services — inpatient and outpatient care, prescriptions, durable medical equipment, mental health, and skilled nursing care — typically paying 75% of the VA-allowable amount after a small annual deductible. Once a beneficiary becomes Medicare-eligible at 65, CHAMPVA functions as a secondary payer that picks up most of what Medicare doesn't cover, including Part B coinsurance and many Part D-equivalent prescriptions. CHAMPVA is administered out of the VA Health Administration Center in Denver and is separate from TRICARE; a person eligible for TRICARE cannot use CHAMPVA.

What you'll need

• VA Form 10-10d (Application for CHAMPVA Benefits)
• VA Form 10-7959c (CHAMPVA Other Health Insurance Certification)
• Marriage certificate (for spouses), or marriage certificate plus the veteran's death certificate (for surviving spouses)
• Documentation of the veteran's 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating, OR documentation that the veteran died of a service-connected condition or on active duty
• Medicare card (if enrolled) and any other health insurance cards

Where to apply

Renewals

ongoing (annual reporting of other health insurance to keep cost-share assignment current)