Champ Va Spouse ?

[Charleese]

Hi all,

Does Champ VA cover all of a spouse's medical care? Example: VA Doctor visits or Private Doctor visits, prescriptions, X-rays, eye care, dental, etc. In other words does a spouse get taken care of at the VA the same as her husband vet gets taken care of, through the VA or Private Doctor.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[Berta]

CHAMPVA will treat dependents at any participating VAMC=but best to check with the facility first = under the requirements and criteria here:

http://www4.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/champva/faqs.asp

Medicare eligible CHAMPVA recipients have to have Medicare part A and B if age 65 under the dates in this criteria.

This is a fabulous program.

My Medicare pays first then CHAMPVA kicks in.

I use CHAMPVA for my meds and didn't need to get Medicare Part D.

Never have had a single problem with this program.

When you enroll into CHAMPVA which can be done on line at their site I believe-they will send you a booklet that explains the benefits.

I take one prescribed med, retail at 35.00 but my co pay is only 4.42 except for once a year when I pay the deductible.

SVR radio has done 2 shows with a VA CHAMPVA expert and the shows are available here under the SVR links to archives.

He gave us much good info on this great program.

[carlie]

Call Champ VA at 1-800-733-8387 and they will

gladly walk you through it all.

They are supposed to provide excellent service.

[LarryJ]

Call Champ VA at 1-800-733-8387 and they will

gladly walk you through it all.

They are supposed to provide excellent service.

They are really quite excellent.

My wife's been treted very well by them.

I personally think that CHAMPVA is the BEST benefit that a veteran's spouse can get, and one of the most effective benefits that is available through the VA.

And, as for the treatment of a veteran's spouse at the local VA Medical Center, here is the scoop on that:

The CHAMPVA Inhouse Treatment Initiative (CITI) pronounced "city" is a voluntary program that allows for the treatment of CHAMPVA beneficiaries at VA medical centers.

More information about the CITI program is available at: http://www.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/champva/citi.asp

[Charleese]

What if the spouse is over 65 and have medicare, does this mean she can't use Champ VA? I'm confused this morning. If she can use it, what can she use it for?

Thanks for your replies.

[jbasser]

Medicare Impact

CHAMPVA is always the secondary payer to Medicare. If you are eligible for CHAMPVA, under age 65 and enrolled in both Medicare Parts A&B, SSA documentation of enrollment in both Parts A&B is required.

For your benefits to be extended past age 65, you must meet the following conditions:

•if the beneficiary was 65 or older prior to June 5, 2001, and was otherwise eligible for CHAMPVA, and was entitled to Medicare Part A coverage, then the beneficiary will be eligible for CHAMPVA without having to have Medicare Part B coverage.

•if you turned 65 on/or before June 5, 2001, and have Medicare Parts A and B, you must keep both Parts to be eligible.

•if you turned 65 on or after June 5, 2001, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to be eligible.

•you are not required to enroll in Medicare Part D in order to become or remain CHAMPVA eligible.

[Rich T]

Meds by mail through ChampVA allows you to avoid the cost share if you don't mind the generic drugs.