What CHAMPVA covers
CHAMPVA shares the cost of covered healthcare with the beneficiary. Coverage looks similar to TRICARE Select.
- Inpatient and outpatient medical care
- Prescription drugs (via the CHAMPVA Meds-by-Mail program for maintenance prescriptions, or in-network retail)
- Mental health care, including outpatient therapy and inpatient psychiatric care
- Hospital stays, ambulatory surgery, durable medical equipment
- Maternity care, well-child visits, immunizations
- Dental is NOT included (the separate CHAMPVA Dental Insurance Plan is available for purchase)
Who’s eligible
You may qualify if you are the spouse, dependent child, or survivor of a veteran who meets at least one of these criteria:
- Rated 100% permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition
- Died from a service-connected condition
- Was rated 100% P&T at the time of death
- Died on active duty in the line of duty (when survivors don’t qualify for TRICARE)
- Missing in action, or a former POW under certain conditions
Common surprise: it must be P&T, not just 100%
A veteran rated 100% schedular (or 100% combined) but not flagged as permanent and total is not enough — CHAMPVA requires the P&T designation specifically. Check the most recent VA rating decision letter. If P&T is absent and the conditions are stable, a VSO can help request the formal P&T determination.
Important exclusions
- If you’re eligible for TRICARE (e.g., the vet is a military retiree), you use TRICARE — not CHAMPVA. CHAMPVA is for dependents who can’t get TRICARE.
- Dependents of veterans with less than 100% P&T (e.g., 90%, or 100% without the “permanent and total” designation) do not qualify.
- Surviving spouses who remarry before age 55 lose CHAMPVA. Remarriage on or after age 55 does not affect eligibility.
- Dependent children: covered through age 18, or through age 23 if a full-time student at an approved school.
How to apply
- Complete VA Form 10-10d (Application for CHAMPVA Benefits) for each family member applying.
- Each applicant 65+ also files VA Form 10-7959c (Other Health Insurance Certification).
- Attach proof of relationship to the veteran: marriage certificate (spouse), birth certificate (child), school enrollment verification (full-time student 18–23).
- Mail to the VHA Office of Community Care in Denver, CO — current address on the application form. Processing typically takes 6–8 weeks.
CHAMPVA vs. TRICARE — quick compare
| CHAMPVA | TRICARE | |
|---|---|---|
| Who manages it | VA | Department of Defense |
| Trigger for eligibility | Vet is 100% P&T or died of SC condition | Vet retired from military (20+ years) or active duty |
| Can you have both? | No — TRICARE eligibility blocks CHAMPVA. You can switch from TRICARE to CHAMPVA if TRICARE coverage ends. | |
References
- va.gov CHAMPVA program page
- 38 CFR § 17.270 — CHAMPVA general provisions
- 38 CFR § 17.271 — Eligibility