For Medical Providers & Billing Staff

Bill CHAMPVA With Confidence

No enrollment. No contracts. Standard forms. A plain-language guide for treating and billing CHAMPVA beneficiaries.

VA HAC Phone
1-800-733-8387
M–F 8am–4:30pm MT
Claims Mail
PO Box 469064 · Denver, CO 80246
Claim Forms
CMS-1500 · UB-04
Timely Filing
1 year from date of service
Website
va.gov/CHAMPVA
Background

What Is CHAMPVA?

CHAMPVA — the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs — is a federal health benefit for eligible dependents and survivors of certain disabled or deceased veterans. It is administered by the VA Health Administration Center (HAC) in Denver, Colorado.

CHAMPVA is not TRICARE (which serves active-duty military and their families). Most providers who don't accept it simply don't know how straightforward it is to bill.

Key distinction: CHAMPVA is a payer — just like a commercial insurance plan. You don't join a network. You don't sign a contract. You simply submit a claim and get paid.
Myth Busting

The 4 Excuses — And Why None Hold Up

✕
"We don't accept CHAMPVA."
✓CHAMPVA requires no provider contract, credentialing, or network enrollment. It is an "any willing provider" program. If you are willing to see the patient and accept CHAMPVA-allowable rates (generally comparable to Medicare), you can bill — right now, today, without signing up for anything.
✓Telling a CHAMPVA patient "we don't accept it" usually just means "we haven't tried." The program doesn't ask you to be accepted — it asks you to submit a claim.
✕
"We don't know how to bill it."
✓You already know how. CHAMPVA uses the same standard forms your billing team uses every day: CMS-1500 for professional/outpatient services and UB-04 for institutional/hospital claims. Standard ICD-10 and CPT/HCPCS codes apply.
✓Electronic submission goes through your existing clearinghouse — ask them to add VA HAC as a payer. Paper claims go to: VA HAC, PO Box 469064, Denver, CO 80246-9064.
✕
"It takes forever to get paid."
✓Clean electronic claims are typically processed within 30 days. Paper claims take longer — go electronic. If you're not getting paid promptly, it's usually a fixable claim issue, not a systemic delay.
✓Include all required fields and attach the primary EOB if CHAMPVA is secondary. Clean claims equal fast payment.
✕
"We're not enrolled — it's too much work to get started."
✓There is no enrollment process for providers. You do not sign a contract. You do not apply to be a CHAMPVA provider. You do not wait for approval. You simply submit a claim using the patient's CHAMPVA information and your NPI.
✓The only "paperwork to get started" is the first claim you submit — which uses forms and codes you already know.
Step-by-Step

How to Bill CHAMPVA

1

Verify Eligibility

Ask the patient for their CHAMPVA Authorization Card. Call 1-800-733-8387 to confirm active eligibility. Note the beneficiary's ID number and the veteran sponsor's VA file number — you'll need both on the claim.

2

Check for Other Health Insurance (OHI)

CHAMPVA is secondary to all other health insurance except Medicaid. If the patient has Medicare or a commercial plan, bill that plan first and collect the EOB.

3

Complete Your Standard Claim Form

Use CMS-1500 (professional) or UB-04 (institutional). Include: veteran sponsor VA file number (Box 1a), beneficiary date of birth and relationship, your NPI, ICD-10 codes, CPT/HCPCS codes, dates and place of service, charges, and primary EOB if secondary.

4

Submit the Claim

Electronic (preferred): Through your clearinghouse — ask them to add VA HAC as a payer.
By mail: VA Health Administration Center, PO Box 469064, Denver, CO 80246-9064
Timely filing: 1 year from date of service (or 1 year from primary EOB if secondary).

5

Get Paid

VA HAC sends an EOB with payment. CHAMPVA pays at its allowable rate — generally similar to Medicare allowables. If denied, the EOB specifies the reason and appeal process.

Coordination of Benefits

When CHAMPVA Is Secondary

Medicare + CHAMPVA
1stMedicare
2ndCHAMPVA covers remainder
Commercial + CHAMPVA
1stCommercial plan
2ndCHAMPVA up to allowable
CHAMPVA Only
Bill CHAMPVA directly. Standard cost-sharing applies.
CHAMPVA + Medicaid
1stCHAMPVA
2ndMedicaid (always last)
Always attach the primary payer's EOB when CHAMPVA is secondary. Missing EOBs are the #1 cause of secondary claim denials.
Quick Reference

Key Contacts & Information

ItemDetails
Claims mailing addressVA Health Administration Center
PO Box 469064, Denver, CO 80246-9064
Beneficiary services phone1-800-733-8387 (M–F, 8am–4:30pm MT)
Websiteva.gov/CHAMPVA
Electronic payer IDVaries by clearinghouse — contact your clearinghouse to add VA HAC as a payer.
Claim formsCMS-1500 (professional) · UB-04 (institutional)
Timely filing1 year from date of service · 1 year from primary EOB date (if secondary)
Prior authorizationNot required for most services. Required for organ transplants and select procedures.
Allowable ratesGenerally based on Medicare fee schedule rates
For Patient-Facing Staff

What to Tell a CHAMPVA Patient at Check-In

Say this: "We can bill CHAMPVA for you. Please bring your CHAMPVA Authorization Card and any other insurance cards. We'll take it from there."
Not this: "We don't take CHAMPVA" — unless your practice has made a deliberate policy decision. These patients have earned this coverage through their family's sacrifice.