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CHAMPVA: health coverage for your spouse and kids
If you are rated permanent and total (P&T), your spouse and dependent children can get VA-paid health coverage. It also covers survivors of veterans who died of a service-connected condition.
At a glance
| Who | Spouse or dependent child of a veteran rated P&T for a service-connected disability; or surviving spouse/child of a veteran who died from a service-connected disability or who was P&T at death |
| Rating needed | 100% P&T. A 100% rating that is not marked permanent does not qualify. TDIU marked P&T is a total rating; ask VA to confirm your P&T status in writing |
| Not eligible | Anyone eligible for TRICARE. If the family member has Medicare, they must have Parts A and B; CHAMPVA pays second |
| Form | VA Form 10-10d (plus 10-7959c for other insurance) |
| Official page | va.gov CHAMPVA |
What it costs
- Deductible: $50 per person, $100 per family, each calendar year (outpatient only).
- After that, the family pays 25% of the CHAMPVA allowable amount.
- Catastrophic cap: $3,000 per family per year. After that CHAMPVA pays 100%.
- Prescriptions through Meds by Mail are free for beneficiaries with no other drug coverage.
Traps
- P&T is the whole game. Look for the words "permanent and total" or "Dependents' Educational Assistance established" on your rating decision or benefits letter. If they are not there, you are not P&T yet, even at 100%.
- Children 18 to 23 must send proof of full-time school enrollment to keep coverage.
- Remarriage of a surviving spouse can end CHAMPVA, with exceptions by age. Needs verification Confirm the current rule with the CHAMPVA office before you count on it.
- TRICARE wins. If your family qualifies for TRICARE (for example, you are a military retiree), they use TRICARE, not CHAMPVA.
How to apply
- Get your P&T letter from VA.gov (download your benefits letter).
- Complete VA Form 10-10d online or on paper, one application per family.
- Mail to VHA Office of Community Care, CHAMPVA Eligibility, PO Box 137, Spring City, PA 19475, or apply online.
2026 note: VA no longer mails Form 1095-B automatically, and GLP-1 drugs are covered only for FDA-approved uses.
Sources
- VA CHAMPVA benefits (page updated Aug 7, 2026)
- CHAMPVA FAQ (page updated Aug 12, 2026)
- CHAMPVA care and costs (page updated Aug 12, 2026)
- 38 CFR 17.271 eligibility
- 38 CFR 17.274 cost sharing
- VA Form 10-10d (form revised Apr 2025)
All links checked and content verified on Oct 16, 2026. Rules change; confirm on the official page before you act.