CHAMPVA the Civilian Health and Medical Program of Veterans Affairs

CHAMPVA is a TRICARE like program that was authorized by the Veterans Health Care Expansion Act of 1973. The Civilian Health and Medical Program of Veterans Affairs became effective on September 1, of 1973. CHAMPVA covers veterans' families who are not eligible for TRICARE and is for the spouses and children of veterans with total, permanent, service-connected disabilities, and for the surviving spouses and children of veterans who die as a result of service-connected disabilities. It is a service benefit program and there are no premiums (Fordney, 2006, p. 462).

CHAMPVA is very similar to the TRICARE program. The two programs are easily and often mistaken for each other. CHAMPVA is a Department of Veterans Affairs program whereas TRICARE is a regionally managed health care program for active duty and retired members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors. It is important for individuals to understand the differences between CHAMPVA and TRICARE, as there are very distinct differences between the two (DeLorenzo, 2003, p.15).

The following individuals are eligible for CHAMPVA benefits as long as they do not qualify for TRICARE Standard benefits and are not eligible for Medicare Part A as a result of reaching age 65: The spouse or child of a veteran who has been rated 100% permanently and totally disabled for a service connected disability by a VA regional office, or the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who died from a VA-rated service connected disability, or who was at the time death rated 100% permanently and totally disabled, or the surviving spouse or child of a military member who died in the line of duty, not due to misconduct (Eligibility Requirements).

It is the Department of Public Affairs responsibility to determine who is eligible for the CHAMPVA program. The prospective beneficiary must go to the nearest VA medical center in order to determine whether or not they are eligible. Once an individual becomes eligible for CHAMPVA and their medical benefits are verified, the beneficiary is issued a VA identification card (Fordney, 2006, p. 462).