Does CHAMPVA cover home health care and hospice?

Q: Does CHAMPVA cover home health care and hospice?

Yes. The CHAMPVA Guidebook covers intermittent skilled home health care for a homebound patient, ordered by a physician and given by an RN, LPN, or LVN. Hospice is covered for terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of 6 months or less, with no deductible and no cost share. Custodial, housekeeping, and attendant care are not covered.

Educational info, not medical advice. Last verified Oct 16, 2026.

Coverage status: Covered with conditions

Short answer: Yes. Home health care is covered when it's intermittent skilled care for a homebound patient, ordered by a physician. Hospice is covered for a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less, with no deductible or cost share.

Home health care

Covered: intermittent, skilled-level home care for a homebound patient.
Must be medically necessary and ordered by a physician.
Who provides it: a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or licensed vocational nurse (LVN).

Hospice

Covered for terminally ill patients with a life expectancy of 6 months or less. It focuses on comfort: pain control, home care, and support.
The Guidebook lists four levels of hospice care:
1. Routine home care
2. Continuous home care: at least 8 hours in a 24-hour period
3. Inpatient respite care: up to 5 days, counting the day of admission but not the day of discharge
4. General inpatient care

Not covered

Custodial care
Housekeeping, homemaker, and attendant services
Care from a member of your immediate family or someone living in your household

For long-term or facility care, see nursing home & skilled nursing.

Preauthorization

VA’s list of care that needs approval first (inpatient mental health, substance use treatment, dental, and organ transplants) doesn’t include home health care or hospice. See what needs preauthorization, and call CHAMPVA if you’re unsure.

What you pay

Home health care, when CHAMPVA is primary: the yearly outpatient deductible ($50 per person, $100 per family) and a 25% cost share. CHAMPVA pays 75% of the allowable amount.
Hospice, when CHAMPVA is primary: no deductible and no cost share. CHAMPVA pays up to 100% of the allowable amount, at home or inpatient (Guidebook; 38 CFR 17.274).
When CHAMPVA is secondary: you usually pay nothing.

Family costs are capped at $3,000 per calendar year. More: deductible, cost share, and catastrophic cap.

Not sure? Call CHAMPVA at 800-733-8387 (TTY 711), Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. ET. The Guidebook says a service listed as covered doesn't guarantee payment. See all CHAMPVA coverage answers.

Educational information only, not medical, legal, or insurance advice. Confirm with CHAMPVA and your provider. Last verified against VA.gov: October 16, 2026 (Checked against the CHAMPVA Guidebook and VA.gov on Oct 16, 2026). Changelog