What a cardiologist does
Cardiologists diagnose and treat conditions of the heart and blood vessels: coronary artery disease, heart failure, rhythm problems, and high blood pressure that resists treatment. They order and read echocardiograms, stress tests, and heart monitors, and interventional cardiologists perform catheter procedures.
What CHAMPVA covers for cardiology
Cardiology visits and diagnostic testing are covered outpatient care, and the VA's provider fact sheet states that approvals for specialist referrals and diagnostic tests are not required when medically necessary. Hospital-based cardiac procedures fall under the Medicare hospital rule, so a Medicare-participating hospital must accept CHAMPVA. Inpatient stays are covered, and every dollar of cost share counts toward the $3,000 yearly family cap.
Find cardiologists who can bill CHAMPVA, by state
Pick your state. The search opens with the Cardiology filter already selected and shows real practice locations from the federal NPPES registry, with street addresses and local phone numbers. Then call with the 20-second script to confirm CHAMPVA.
Cardiologists who accept Medicare assignment, by state
Clinicians who accept Medicare assignment can bill CHAMPVA, so these counts from the federal CMS Doctors and Clinicians registry (updated 2026-09-07) show how deep the bench is in each state. National total: 72,390.
| State | Cardiologists |
|---|---|
| California | 5,619 |
| New York | 5,451 |
| Texas | 5,156 |
| Florida | 5,056 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,022 |
| Illinois | 3,630 |
| Michigan | 3,155 |
| New Jersey | 2,955 |
| Ohio | 2,689 |
| Minnesota | 2,386 |
| Virginia | 2,282 |
| Georgia | 2,066 |
| Massachusetts | 2,058 |
| North Carolina | 2,004 |
| Maryland | 1,806 |
| Indiana | 1,722 |
| Wisconsin | 1,559 |
| Missouri | 1,433 |
| Tennessee | 1,283 |
| Washington | 1,252 |
| Oregon | 1,105 |
| Connecticut | 1,071 |
| Arizona | 1,029 |
| Colorado | 994 |
| Kansas | 923 |
| Iowa | 836 |
| Kentucky | 796 |
| South Carolina | 773 |
| Louisiana | 618 |
| Maine | 537 |
| Alabama | 499 |
| Delaware | 469 |
| Nebraska | 453 |
| Mississippi | 431 |
| Nevada | 431 |
| Arkansas | 411 |
| Oklahoma | 383 |
| Idaho | 370 |
| New Hampshire | 321 |
| Rhode Island | 301 |
| West Virginia | 294 |
| Washington DC | 262 |
| Utah | 256 |
| Hawaii | 242 |
| New Mexico | 201 |
| Montana | 181 |
| South Dakota | 181 |
| North Dakota | 167 |
| Wyoming | 100 |
| Alaska | 90 |
| Vermont | 81 |
Common questions
Do I need a referral to see a cardiologist with CHAMPVA?
No. CHAMPVA does not require referrals for specialists, and diagnostic tests such as echocardiograms and stress tests need no prior approval when medically necessary.
Does CHAMPVA cover heart surgery and stents?
Yes. Inpatient care and hospital-based procedures are covered, and Medicare-participating hospitals must accept CHAMPVA. Your cost shares count toward the $3,000 family cap.
Does CHAMPVA cover cardiac rehab?
Medically necessary outpatient care ordered by your cardiologist is covered under the normal cost share. Confirm the rehab program bills CHAMPVA before your first session.
Related guides
Sources
- CHAMPVA care: what is covered and what it costs (VA.gov)
- Getting care through CHAMPVA: network, referrals, and preauthorization (VA.gov)
- CHAMPVA provider fact sheet, VA IB-10-1587 (PDF)
- 38 CFR 17.272, CHAMPVA benefit limitations and exclusions (eCFR)
General information, not medical or insurance advice. Coverage rules are set by the VA and federal regulation and can change; confirm with CHAMPVA at 800-733-8387 before treatment.