Print this for your doctor's office
A free, two-sided CHAMPVA sheet. Give the front to the billing office and keep the back for your family.
Most offices have never billed CHAMPVA, and families end up reading numbers off the phone. This sheet puts them on paper.
- For the office: payer ID, eligibility line, claims address, filing deadline, how CHAMPVA pays after other insurance, direct deposit, and how to get advance approval.
- For you: what you pay, what to bring, the questions to ask, and what to do if the office says no.
- Every fact comes from the VA's CHAMPVA Guidebook and va.gov pages, checked October 21, 2026.
The numbers, in plain text
You do not need the PDF to get the basics. Here is what the sheet says, as of October 21, 2026.
| Claims payer ID, medical | 84146 |
| Claims payer ID, dental | 84147 |
| Real-time eligibility payer ID | VAHAC |
| Check eligibility, 24 hours a day | 888-820-1756 |
| Advance approval line | 833-930-0816 |
| CHAMPVA customer service | 800-733-8387, Monday to Friday, about 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern |
| Optum Insight clearinghouse help | 866-678-8646 |
| Paper claims from offices | CHAMPVA Claims, PO Box 30750, Tampa, FL 33630-3750 |
| Claims families file themselves | CHAMPVA Claims, PO Box 500, Spring City, PA 19475 |
| Filing deadline | 1 year from the date of service or discharge |
Numbers and addresses can change. Confirm with the VA at 800-733-8387. Sources: the VA's CHAMPVA Guidebook, the VA's provider page for CHAMPVA, and va.gov/resources/champva-care/.
Want the whole handbook?
The CHAMPVA Family Kit is a 35 page PDF: a plain-English handbook (who qualifies, enrolling, costs, reading an EOB, claims, denied claims, Medicare at 65, Meds by Mail, supplements) plus printable worksheets. $19, one time.
Common questions
What is the CHAMPVA payer ID?
For electronic claims the payer ID is 84146 for medical claims and 84147 for dental claims, sent through the VA clearinghouse, Optum Insight. For real-time eligibility inquiries the VA's payer ID is VAHAC.
What is the CHAMPVA provider phone number?
CHAMPVA customer service is 800-733-8387, Monday to Friday, about 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Eastern. Offices can check a patient's eligibility 24 hours a day at 888-820-1756, and ask about advance approval at 833-930-0816.
Where do providers send CHAMPVA paper claims?
The VA's provider page gives VHA Office of Integrated Veteran Care, CHAMPVA Claims, PO Box 30750, Tampa, FL 33630-3750. Families who file their own claim mail it to PO Box 500, Spring City, PA 19475. Electronic claims are faster.
How long does an office have to file a CHAMPVA claim?
One year from the date of service, or one year from the discharge date for inpatient care. The VA denies claims filed after that. When resubmitting a claim, attach the CHAMPVA EOB.
Does CHAMPVA pay before or after other insurance?
After, in almost every case. CHAMPVA pays first only for Medicaid, Indian Health Service, State Victims of Crime Compensation programs and CHAMPVA supplemental policies. For everything else, the other plan is billed first, then CHAMPVA.
Can any doctor bill CHAMPVA?
CHAMPVA has no network and no provider contract. The VA generally treats a provider as authorized when they work within the scope of their license. An office that accepts assignment takes CHAMPVA's allowable amount as payment in full. Each office decides for itself, so ask the billing office.
What does a CHAMPVA family pay?
When CHAMPVA is the only coverage: a $50 per person ($100 per family) deductible each calendar year for most outpatient care, then 25 percent of CHAMPVA's allowable amount, with a $3,000 yearly cap for the family. Preventive care has no deductible or cost share. When CHAMPVA is secondary, the family usually owes nothing.
General information, not legal advice. ChampvaDoctors.com is independent and is not affiliated with the VA.