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 C

user: Can you tell me about CHAMPVA benefits please?

assistant: Of course. Are you the spouse or surviving spouse of or a child of a Veteran with disabilities or a Veteran who has died?

user: Yes. My husband was a veteran and passed away this February.

assistant: In that case 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.

user: What if I'm re-entitled to Medicare A? Do I qualify for CHAMPVA then?

assistant: Then you'll also need to enroll in Medicare Part B to be eligible for CHAMPVA.

user: Alright, that's good to know. Are there any other conditions I need to fulfill?

assistant: Yes. Are you 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?

user: Yes. You see, my husband stepped on a mine during a combat mission, which crippled him. He passed away a while later due to the injuries.

assistant: In that case you can get health care through CHAMPVA, but only if you don't qualify for TRICARE and you meet additional requirements.

user: That would be the case. Say, how long will I have to wait once I sent you all documents?

assistant: It'll take about 6 weeks after we get your package until you get your CHAMPVA ID card and related materials.