Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has eliminated a large backlog of CHAMPVA health care applications for family members and caregivers of veterans. This backlog, which once had over 70,000 pending cases, is now at zero, meaning quicker health coverage access. The improvement is part of several reforms by the VA under President Donald Trump's administration.
Key Facts
- The VA reduced the CHAMPVA backlog from over 70,000 pending cases to zero by October 2025.
- The CHAMPVA program provides health care for over 900,000 veteran family members and caregivers.
- Previously, applicants had to wait over 150 days in some cases for their applications to be processed.
- The VA now processes new CHAMPVA applications within days of submission.
- The backlog of CHAMPVA appeals was reduced from over 20,000 to about 1,000 cases.
- Changes include overtime pay for processors and the use of process engineering and automation.
- A fully automated CHAMPVA application system is expected to be finalized in December.
- Over 90% of medical services and pharmacy claims are processed electronically within days.
