When a veteran is rated 100 percent permanent and total, their dependents (spouse and children) generally become eligible for CHAMPVA, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as long as they are not otherwise eligible for TRICARE. TRICARE eligibility usually applies to dependents of active-duty or retired service members, so most dependents of a 100 percent P&T veteran who are not connected to TRICARE will qualify for CHAMPVA.
It is important to understand that CHAMPVA is a program for the veteran's dependents, not for the veteran. The veteran continues to receive care directly through VA health care, while CHAMPVA extends coverage to the spouse and dependent children.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →Regarding cost, CHAMPVA itself does not charge a monthly premium, but it is not automatically free care. CHAMPVA operates similarly to other health insurance: there is typically an annual deductible, and after that, CHAMPVA generally pays 75 percent of allowable charges, leaving a 25 percent cost-share for the beneficiary, unless another provision changes that structure. If a dependent also has other health insurance (OHI), such as coverage through an employer, CHAMPVA becomes the secondary payer. This means the employer insurance pays first, and CHAMPVA may pay some or all of the remaining allowable costs, which can significantly reduce or even eliminate out-of-pocket expenses depending on what the primary insurance already covers. Having other insurance does not disqualify a dependent from CHAMPVA; it simply changes the order in which the two insurers pay.
Because coordination between CHAMPVA and an employer's plan depends heavily on the specific terms of that employer plan, actual out-of-pocket costs can vary significantly from family to family, and there is no single guaranteed dollar amount that applies to everyone.
To apply, the veteran or spouse should submit VA Form 10-10d, Application for CHAMPVA Benefits, along with required supporting documents such as marriage and birth certificates and proof of the veteran's 100 percent P&T rating, to the VHA Office of Community Care. Once approved, the family can then contact CHAMPVA to clarify exactly how it will coordinate with the spouse's employer insurance before that employer-mandated enrollment takes effect.
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