What's the difference between the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) and TRICARE?

CHAMPVA is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care program. The spouse, surviving spouse, and children of disabled or deceased disabled veterans may be eligible. To learn more, visit the VA’s CHAMPVA page or call 1-800-733-8387.

TRICARE is a Department of Defense health care program for:

• Uniformed service members and their families
• National Guard/Reserve membersIncludes members of the:
  • Army National Guard
  • Army Reserve
  • Navy Reserve
  • Marine Corps Reserve
  • Air National Guard
  • Air Force Reserve
  • U.S. Coast Guard Reserve
• Survivors
• Former spouses
• Medal of Honor recipients and their families
• Others registered in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System(DEERS) A database of information on uniformed services members (sponsors), U.S.-sponsored foreign military, DoD and uniformed services civilians, other personnel as directed by the DoD, and their family members. You need to register in DEERS to get TRICARE.)

To learn more, visit our About Us page.

If you're eligible for CHAMPVA, you aren't eligible for TRICARE or vice versa.