Who is eligible for CHAMPVA?
To be eligible for CHAMPVA, the beneficiary cannot be eligible for TRICARE. CHAMPVA provides coverage to the spouse or widow(er) and to the children of a veteran who: • is rated permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability, or • was rated permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition at the time of death, or • died of a service-connected disability, or • died on active duty and the dependents are not otherwise eligible for DoD TRICARE benefits. Effective October 1, 2001, CHAMPVA benefits were extended to age 65 and older. To be eligible, you must also 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 the beneficiary turned 65 before June 5, 2001, and has Medicare Parts A and B, the beneficiary must keep both P
