Who is eligible for CHAMPVA?

CHAMPVA covers the spouse or dependent child of a Veteran who is rated permanently and totally (P&T) disabled from a service-connected condition, who died from a service-connected disability, who was rated P&T at the time of death, or who died in the line of duty. You must also not be eligible for TRICARE.

Does CHAMPVA cost anything?

There is no premium. For outpatient care you pay an annual deductible of $50 per beneficiary (up to $100 per family), then a 25% cost-share of the CHAMPVA-allowable amount. Your total out-of-pocket for covered services is capped at $3,000 per calendar year.

Is there a deductible for hospital stays?

No. There is no deductible for inpatient services, ambulatory surgery, partial psychiatric day programs, hospice, or care received at a VA facility. The deductible applies to outpatient care such as office visits.

Can I have CHAMPVA and Medicare?

Yes. CHAMPVA works with Medicare and most other health insurance, usually as the secondary payer, which lowers your out-of-pocket cost. You generally must keep Medicare Part B to keep CHAMPVA if you are Medicare-eligible.

How do I apply for CHAMPVA?

Apply with VA Form 10-10d (Application for CHAMPVA Benefits). You can call the CHAMPVA call center at 1-800-733-8387 for help.

CHAMPVA Eligibility & Cost Calculator

CHAMPVAis VA health coverage for the family of a permanently & totally disabled or deceased service-connected Veteran. Check whether you qualify, then estimate your yearly out-of-pocket cost — there's no premium, and your total is capped at $3,000 a year.

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Sources: VA — CHAMPVA benefits, VA — CHAMPVA cost & FAQ

1. Are you eligible?

Three quick questions.

Are you the spouse or dependent child of the Veteran (not the Veteran yourself)?

Which of these describes the Veteran?

Are you eligible for TRICARE?

2. Estimate your yearly out-of-pocket cost

CHAMPVA has no premium. You pay an annual deductible plus a 25% cost-share, capped at $3,000/year.

Family members on CHAMPVA

Expected CHAMPVA-allowable outpatient costs / year

Estimated out-of-pocket this year

$1,075

Deductible

$100

25% cost-share

$975

Premium

Estimate for outpatient care. There is no deductible for inpatient services, ambulatory surgery, partial psychiatric day programs, hospice, or care at a VA facility. Your cost-share is 25% of the CHAMPVA-allowable amount (often less than the billed amount), and Medicare or other insurance changes the math. The $3,000 cap is your worst case for covered services in a calendar year.

Caring for a disabled Veteran too? See the VA caregiver stipend calculator →

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How CHAMPVA cost-sharing works

CHAMPVA has no monthly premium. For outpatient care you first meet a small annual deductible — $50 per person, up to $100 for the whole family — then pay a 25% cost-share of the CHAMPVA-allowable amount. Inpatient stays, surgery, hospice, and VA-facility care have no deductible. To protect against a bad year, CHAMPVA caps your out-of-pocket at $3,000 per calendar year; after that it pays 100% of allowable costs. If you also have Medicare or other insurance, CHAMPVA usually pays second and your real cost is lower.