Health

 

If you have any questions or concerns about this or other Veterans issues, please give the Phelps County Veterans Services a call at (308) 995-4166 or 995-4961.

ChampVA Program

  • ChampVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program for the Veterans Administration) is a program designed for:
  • Dependents of veterans who have been rated by VA as having a total and permanent disability;
  • Survivors of veterans who died from VA-rated service-connected conditions, or who at the time of death, were rated permanently and totally disabled from a VA-rated service-connected condition;
  • Survivors of persons who died in the line of duty, and not due to misconduct.
  • Under ChampVA, VA shares the cost of covered healthcare services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries.
  • The administration of ChampVA is centralized to the Health Administration Center in Denver, Colorado.
  • In general, ChampVA covers most healthcare services and supplies that are medically and psychologically necessary. Upon confirmation of eligibility, applicants will receive program material that specifically addresses covered and noncovered services and supplies.

ChampVA General Exclusions

  • Services determined by VA to be medically unnecessary;
  • Care as part of a grant, study, or research program;
  • Care considered experimental or investigational;
  • Care for persons eligible for benefits under other government agency programs, except Medicaid and State Victims of Crime Compensation programs;
  • Care for which the beneficiary is not obligated to pay, such as services obtained at a health fair;
  • Care provided outside the scope of the provider's license or certification;
  • Custodial, domiciliary, or rest cures;
  • Dental care (except treatment related to certain covered medical conditions);
  • Medications that do not require a prescription (except insulin);
  • Personal comfort and convenience items;
  • Services rendered by providers suspended or sanctioned by other Federal entities.

Eligibility for ChampVA

  • The following persons are eligible for ChampVA benefits, providing they are not eligible for TriCare or Medicare Part A as a result of reaching the age of 65:
    • The spouse or child of a veteran who has been rated by a VA regional office as having a permanent and total service-connected condition/disability;
    • The surviving spouse or child of a veteran who died as a result of a VA-rated service-connected condition; or who, at the time of death, was rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected condition;
    • The surviving spouse or child of a person who died in the line of duty, and not due to misconduct.

Healthcare Benefits Eligibility

In order to qualify for enrollment in VA healthcare, the veteran must have

  • Been discharged from active military service under honorable conditions.
  • Served a minimum of 2 years, if discharged after September 7, 1980 (prior to this date, there is no time limit).
  • If a National Guardsman or Reservist, served the entire period for which called to active duty other than for training purposes only.

Priority Groups

Once a veteran applies for enrollment, his or her application eligibility will be verified. Based on the individual's specific eligibility status, he or she is assigned a priority group. The priority groups are as follows, ranging from 1-7 with 1 being the highest priority for enrollment. Under the Uniform Benefits Package, the same services are generally available to all enrolled veterans.

  • Priority Group 1
    • Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50% or more disabling.
  • Priority Group 2
    • Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 30% or 40% disabling.
  • Priority Group 3
    • Veterans who are former POW's.
    • Veterans whose discharge was for a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
    • Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 10% or 20% disabling.
    • Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients (unless eligible for a higher priority group).
    • Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C., Section 1151, "benefits for individualsdisabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation"
  • Priority Group 4
    • Veterans who are receiving aid and attendance or housebound benefits.
    • Veterans who have been determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled.
  • Priority Group 5
    • Nonservice-connected veterans and service-connected veterans rated 0% disabled whose annual income and net worth are below the established dollar threshold. (Veterans in this priority group must provide VA with information on their annual income and net worth in order to determine whether they are below the "means test" threshold; or agree to co-payment requirements. The threshold is adjusted annually, and announced in January. In making the assessment, the veteran's household income is considered.
  • Priority Group 6

    All other eligible veterans who are not required to make co-payments for their care, including:
    • World War I and Mexican Border War veterans.
    • Veterans receiving care solely for disabilities resulting from exposure to toxic substances, radiation or for disorders associated with service in the Gulf War; or for any illness associated with service in combat in a war after the Gulf War or during a period of hostility after November 11, 1998.
    • Compensable 0% service-connected veterans.
  • Priority Group 7
    • Nonservice-connected veterans and noncompensable 0% service-connected veterans whose needed care cannot be provided by enrolling in any of the groups above and, who agree to pay specified co-payment.

Uniform Benefits Package

The Uniform Benefits Package will generally be provided to all enrolled veterans regardless of their priority group. Public law 104-262 called for VA to provide hospital care and outpatient care services that are defined as "needed". VA defines "needed" as care or service that will promote, preserve and restore health. This includes treatment, procedures, supplies or services. This decision of need will be based on the judgment of the health care provider, and in accordance with generally accepted standards of clinical practice. The following three categories contain a list of healthcare services that are provided under the Uniform Benefits Package, a list of some that are not covered by VA and a list of other services that are provided under special authority.

Services that are covered under the uniform benefits package:

 Drugs, Biologicals, and Medical devices approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

  • Elective Sterilization Tubal Ligation or Vasectomy
  • Emergency care in VA facilities
  • Home healthcare
  • Hospice care
  • Hospital and Outpatient care
  • Maternity benefits
  • Medical and Surgical care
  • Mental Healthcare
  • Palliative care
  • Preventive care and services
  • Prosthetics and Orthotics
  • Rehabilitation Care and Services
  • Respite Care
  • Substance Abuse Services

Services not covered under the uniform benefits package:

  • Abortions and Abortion Counseling
  • Drugs, Biologicals, and Medical devices not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Gender alterations
  • Membership in Health Clubs and Spas
  • Private duty nursing

Services covered under Special Authorities:

  • Adult Day Healthcare
  • Dental Care
  • Domiciliary Care
  • Emergency Care in Non-VA Facilities
  • Homeless Programs
  • Non-VA Care
  • Nursing Home Care
  • Readjustment Counseling Service (Vet Centers)
  • Sensori-Neural Aids (i.e., eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids)
  • exual Trauma Counselingg

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care to its customers. Our goal is to share information about these benefits and services to make it as easy as possible for you to receive the care you need.

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Facilities Locator
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