Quick answer
CHAMPVA providers can file claims electronically or by mail. VA currently recommends electronic submission because it is faster, but paper claims remain an accepted filing method.
For a provider-submitted paper CHAMPVA claim, mail the claim to:
VHA Office of Integrated Veteran Care
CHAMPVA Claims
PO Box 30750
Tampa, FL 33630-3750
VA's current CHAMPVA provider guidance lists this address specifically for provider paper claims. It is different from the mailing route used when a beneficiary files a reimbursement claim.
Providers should submit an itemized medical billing statement on the appropriate CMS-1500 or UB-04 form. Before mailing, make sure the claim contains complete patient, provider, diagnosis, procedure, quantity, and charge information. If other health insurance applies, include the adjudicated explanation of benefits (EOB) information VA requires.
Paper submission changes the way the claim reaches VA; it does not change CHAMPVA's filing deadline or provider payment requirements. Providers still need to meet the applicable filing deadline and must be enrolled in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to receive CHAMPVA claim payments.
When should a provider use a paper claim?
VA currently gives CHAMPVA providers two claim-submission options:
- Electronic: Submit a HIPAA-compliant 837 claim through the VA clearinghouse. VA lists medical payer ID 84146.
- Paper: Mail the provider claim to the Tampa address above.
VA explicitly encourages electronic claims for faster processing, but its provider guidance does not limit paper claims to a special exception. If your office is submitting by mail, use the current provider paper-claim address and prepare the form for scanning and accurate data capture.
If your billing system supports electronic CHAMPVA claims, see the broader CHAMPVA Provider Quick-Start Guide before choosing a workflow.
Which claim form should a provider use?
The current CHAMPVA Guidebook states that providers must submit an itemized billing statement on a CMS-1500 or UB-04 form.
In practical terms:
- Use CMS-1500 or UB-04 as appropriate for the claim.
- Submit professional and facility fees on separate claim forms, consistent with VA's current provider instructions.
The beneficiary CHAMPVA Claim Form, VA Form 10-7959a, is part of the beneficiary reimbursement workflow. A provider billing CHAMPVA directly should follow the provider claim process rather than substituting the beneficiary reimbursement form for the provider billing statement.
Required information on a CHAMPVA medical claim
The current VA provider page and CHAMPVA Guidebook together identify the information that needs to be complete and consistent.
Patient information
Verify that the claim shows:
- the patient's legal name;
- address;
- date of birth; and
- CHAMPVA member number, which VA identifies as the beneficiary's Social Security number.
VA also instructs providers to make sure patient information on any attachments matches the claim.
Provider information
Include:
- provider name and professional degree when applicable;
- physical address where the service was provided;
- billing or payment address;
- telephone number; and
- the complete nine-digit EIN/TIN.
VA specifically warns not to use a P.O. Box as the physical service address. A mailing or payment address and the physical place of service are separate data elements.
Service and billing information
The itemized claim should include:
- date of service;
- diagnosis codes;
- procedure codes for each line item;
- quantity for each procedure; and
- billed charges itemized by procedure.
VA's current provider guidance also recommends billing each service and each date of service as a separate line item to reduce processing errors and underpayment.
What attachments should go with a paper claim?
The attachment requirement depends on the claim.
Other health insurance EOBs
If the patient has other health insurance that must adjudicate the claim before CHAMPVA, bill that coverage first and include the applicable adjudicated EOB information with the CHAMPVA submission.
Current VA provider guidance says to:
- submit EOBs from applicable primary and secondary insurance plans;
- make sure all billed services appear on the EOBs, including services the other insurer did not cover; and
- submit adjudicated EOBs that show payment or denial.
For a deeper explanation of payer order, see How CHAMPVA Works With Other Health Insurance.
Other supporting documentation
Some claim types may require additional documentation based on the service or the reason a prior claim could not be processed. Do not add unrelated records to every paper claim. Match supporting documentation to VA's current instructions for the service or issue, and make sure identifying information on attachments matches the claim.
If you are resubmitting a previously processed claim, follow VA's resubmission instructions rather than mailing a duplicate as though it were a new claim. The current provider page says to include the CHAMPVA EOB when resubmitting and warns against resubmitting with only a claim number.
Paper-claim preparation checklist
VA's current provider guidance gives several paper-specific instructions designed to prevent scanning or processing problems:
- Align the claim form so the data prints in the correct fields.
- Use a legible font and avoid light print.
- Do not use highlighters.
- Do not staple, clip, tear, or tape the documents.
- Make sure any handwritten information is legible.
- Confirm that patient information on attachments matches the claim.
- Verify that the EIN/TIN is a complete nine-digit number.
- Confirm that both the billing/payment address and the physical service address are present where required.
- If OHI applies, include the adjudicated EOB information.
- Keep a copy of the submitted claim and supporting records for your office documentation.
Before mailing, compare the address against the current CHAMPVA contacts and mailing-address reference, because operational addresses can change.
Do not confuse the provider and beneficiary claim routes
CHAMPVA has separate workflows for a provider billing VA and for a beneficiary requesting reimbursement.
For provider paper claims, the current VA provider page lists:
VHA Office of Integrated Veteran Care
CHAMPVA Claims
PO Box 30750
Tampa, FL 33630-3750
A beneficiary reimbursement claim uses a different process and mailing route. Using the wrong route can delay intake and adjudication, so billing staff should verify that they are following the provider instructions before mailing.
Paper claims still require EFT for provider payment
Submitting a paper claim does not mean VA pays the provider by paper check.
The current CHAMPVA Guidebook and VA's family member care provider guidance state that providers must be enrolled in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to receive payment for services under VA family member health care programs.
If a claim is otherwise payable but the provider has not completed EFT enrollment, payment can be held until enrollment is completed. Billing offices should treat EFT enrollment as a separate payment-readiness step from claim submission.
Filing deadlines still apply to mailed claims
Mailing a claim does not extend CHAMPVA's filing deadline.
Under 38 CFR § 17.276, claims for medical services and supplies generally must be filed no later than:
- 1 year after the date of service; or
- for inpatient care, 1 year after the date of discharge.
The regulation also contains 180-day rules for certain retroactive approvals and allows VA to consider written requests for a filing-deadline exception when good cause exists. It specifically states that delays caused by provider billing procedures do not constitute a valid basis for an exception.
For the full deadline rules and exceptions, see CHAMPVA Claim Filing Deadlines.
Provider paper-claim workflow
For a normal paper medical claim, a billing office can use this sequence:
- Confirm CHAMPVA eligibility and payer order.
- Bill applicable other health insurance first when required and wait for adjudication.
- Prepare the appropriate CMS-1500 or UB-04 with complete patient, provider, coding, and charge data.
- Attach required EOB or claim-specific documentation.
- Review paper-formatting requirements so the claim can be scanned and read correctly.
- Check the filing deadline before mailing.
- Mail the provider claim to PO Box 30750 in Tampa.
- Confirm EFT enrollment so an approved claim can be paid.
- Use the proper claim-status workflow after submission rather than mailing an unnecessary duplicate.
This separates four issues that are often confused: how the claim is submitted, whether the claim is complete, whether it was filed on time, and whether the provider is ready to receive payment.