VA to expand health care coverage to Veteran family members and caregivers through CHAMPVA

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will soon expand coverage for medical services, including mental health care, for family members and primary family caregivers participating in the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA).

Starting at the end of May, these beneficiaries will have new coverage for audio-only telehealth, extended mental health care and contraceptive services.

“Our mission is to provide world-class care to our nation’s heroes, which includes care provided through CHAMPVA to eligible family members and caregivers of Veterans,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal. “The extension of these additional services is part of VA’s continuing efforts to ensure CHAMPVA beneficiaries can access high value care where they need it, when they need it.”

Here’s what this means for CHAMPVA beneficiaries:

Access to audio-only telehealth. With audio-only telehealth coverage, beneficiaries will have expanded access to care, which is especially important for rural beneficiaries. This coverage will also be retroactive, meaning providers and beneficiaries who received audio-only telehealth services on or after May 12, 2020, will have until Nov. 26, 2024, to file claims for reimbursement of covered care.

This expanded coverage also means an elimination of caps on visits for mental health and substance use visits. CHAMPVA beneficiaries will no longer be limited in the number of visits for mental health and substance abuse services. Additionally, beneficiaries and providers will no longer need pre-authorizations for outpatient mental health visits in excess of 23 visits per calendar year and/or for more than two sessions per week.

Finally, it will help eliminate deductibles and cost sharing for certain necessary contraceptive services. VA is also eliminating deductibles and cost sharing for contraceptive services or contraceptive products approved, cleared or granted by the Food and Drug Administration.

CHAMPVA is a health care program for certain spouses, surviving spouses, children and primary family caregivers of eligible Veterans. Currently, there are more than 737,500 CHAMPVA beneficiaries. Through CHAMPVA, the VA shares the cost of medically necessary health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries. This includes mental health services, inpatient and outpatient services, prescription medications, transplants, ambulatory surgery, family planning and maternity care, and more.

To learn more and apply for CHAMPVA care, please visit www.va.gov/health-care/family-caregiver-benefits/champva/