CHAMPVA and Medicare: What Beneficiaries Need to Know

CHAMPVA provides health coverage to eligible dependents of veterans with service-related disabilities. When a CHAMPVA beneficiary becomes Medicare-eligible, enrolling in both Medicare Part A and Part B is required — failing to enroll in Part B can jeopardize CHAMPVA secondary coverage and result in permanent Medicare penalties.

Key Rules

  • CHAMPVA requires Part A and Part B enrollment when you become Medicare-eligible — both are required
  • If you have Medicare Part A but not Part B, CHAMPVA may deny coverage for services that fall under Part B
  • Medicare pays first; CHAMPVA covers most remaining eligible costs as secondary coverage
  • Failing to enroll in Part B when eligible may result in loss of CHAMPVA secondary coverage