Operation Just Cause... ...for as long as it takes
Sent in by Veterans News and Information Services
"James \"EMO\" Tichacek" raoemo@mozcom.com
CHAMPVA: Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs [CHAMPVA] is the VA version of Tricare Standard. The VA shares with eligible beneficiaries the cost of covered health care services and supplies. Due to the similarity between CHAMPVA and CHAMPUS [administered by DoD] the two programs are easily and often mistaken for each other. Only the CHAMPVA Center, PO BOX 65023, Denver CO 80206-5023 is authorized to process applications, determine eligibility, authorize benefits, and process claims.
The VA Outpatient Clinic, Manila is now authorized to provide medical care to CHAMPVA eligible beneficiaries on an outpatient basis. However, this care must be administered at the clinic and will not be provided through the Fee-Basis Care Program. The benefit of obtaining care from the clinic is that the cost to the patient will be limited to travel only. The VA will absorb the cost of medical care and pharmaceuticals. If you have any questions contact the VA Clinic Coordinator at (02) 833-4566 to 69 EXT 201.
Eligibility - Those eligible for CHAMPVA benefits, providing they are not eligible for CHAMPUS or Medicare Part A as a result of reaching the age of 65 are:
- the spouse or child of a veteran who has been related by a VA regional office as having permanent and total service-connected disability.
- The surviving spouse or child of a veteran who died as a result of a VA rated service-connected condition(s); or who at the time of death, was rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition(s),
- The surviving spouse or child of a person who died in the line of duty and not due to misconduct within 30 days of entry into active military service.
Individuals 65 or older, who lose CHAMPVA eligibility by becoming potentially eligible for Medicare Part A or who qualify for Medicare Part A benefits on the basis of disability, may re-establish CHAMPVA eligibility by submitting documentation from SSA certifying their non-entitlement to or exhaustion of Medicare Part A benefits.
Application - Applicants for CHAMPVA must submit a completed "Application for Medical Benefits for Dependents or survivors - CHAMPVA [VA Form 10-10d.]. Upon receipt by the Center it will take approximately 60 days to gather the supporting records necessary to verify eligibility and make notification to the applicant. The Center will also verify the applicant's eligibility status with the local VA Regional Office that has the sponsor's VA claims folder. To ensure there is no CHAMPUS entitlement, these records will also be verified through DEERS. [Source: CHAMPVA Handbook Jun 95]
Lt. James "EMO" Tichacek USN (Ret)
Director, Retiree Activities Office & U.S. Embassy Warden
Baguio City,Philippines
PSC 517 Box RCB, FPO AP 96517-1000
Tel: RP (63-74) 445-6786 or FAX 446-2087 - U.S. FAX to Email service
1-801-760-2430
AL/CORMV/DAV/FRA/NCOA/PRA/TROA/USDR/VFW member
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