The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) offers health coverage for spouses and children of military members and veterans who are rated permanently and totally disabled for a service related disability. These dependents do not qualify for TRICARE — if they do they are covered by TRICARE instead.

The program was established in 1973. Members can get care at a VA Medical Center or clinic. If your local clinic participates in the CHAMPVA Inhouse Treatment Initiative (CITI) you can get care through that program at no charge to you. You can also get care from non VA providers that accept CHAMPVA. Providers who accept TRICARE often accept CHAMPVA as well.

Does CHAMPVA Cover Addiction Rehab?

If addiction treatment is considered medically necessary you will be able to get at least some of the cost covered by CHAMPVA. The CHAMPVA Guide helps you understand what services are covered. You will need to get authorization for mental health or substance use care before you begin treatment.

How can you prove what’s medically necessary? You’ll want to work with your doctor to create a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. That will help you know where to start with treatment and will prove what’s medically needed in your case.

According to the CHAMPVA Guide a beneficiary can have three substance use treatment periods covered in their lifetime. A substance use treatment period starts on the first day of covered treatment and ends 365 days later.

Many people have other insurance such as Medicare along with CHAMPVA. If that’s the case your other insurance is primary and CHAMPVA is secondary. If your primary insurance has already authorized your care then you don’t need to get another authorization from CHAMPVA.