Vision and dental, made simple
Educational information only, not medical, legal, or insurance advice. Confirm with CHAMPVA and your provider. Last checked against VA sources: October 9, 2026.
Short version: CHAMPVA is medical coverage. It does not pay for routine eye exams, glasses, contacts, or routine dental work. For teeth, most families buy a VADIP dental plan.
Quick table
| CHAMPVA covers | CHAMPVA does NOT cover | Your options | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyes | Medical eye care for a covered condition (for example, an eye exam if you have diabetes). Glasses or contacts only in narrow cases, like replacing the eye’s lens after surgery or injury. Vision screening for young children at well-child visits. | Routine eye exams, everyday glasses, contact lenses | A private vision plan, a Medicare Advantage plan that includes vision, or your other insurance |
| Teeth | Only dental care that is part of treating a covered medical condition (for example, before or after radiation for mouth/face cancer, or a broken jaw). Always needs prior approval. | Routine cleanings and fillings, dentures, braces | VADIP dental insurance (below), or other dental insurance |
Side-by-side: your options
| CHAMPVA itself | VADIP dental plan | Other vision/dental options | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Enrolled CHAMPVA beneficiaries | CHAMPVA beneficiaries; veterans in VA health care | Anyone who buys or has the coverage |
| Eyes | Medical eye care only (e.g., diabetic eye exam); glasses/contacts only in narrow medical cases | Not vision coverage | Private vision plan, Medicare Advantage vision benefits, other insurance: covers routine exams/glasses depending on plan |
| Teeth | Only as part of treating a covered medical condition, with prior approval | Cleanings, checkups, fillings, root canals, oral surgery, emergency care (varies by plan) | Other dental insurance or employer plan |
| Cost | $50 deductible ($100/family), then usually 25%; $3,000 yearly household cap | Monthly premium + copays set by Delta Dental or MetLife: check current rates | Set by each plan: check current rates |
| How to enroll | Already included with CHAMPVA. Call 800-733-8387 for prior approval | Online with Delta Dental or MetLife | Through the plan, your employer, or Medicare open enrollment |
Eyes: what to know
- If you have diabetes, an eye exam can be covered. Your doctor’s bill should show the diagnosis.
- Eye problems from illness or injury are treated like any other medical care, with normal costs (deductible and 25% cost share).
- Glasses and contacts are excluded except a few medical cases written into the federal rule (38 CFR 17.272), such as lenses that replace the eye’s natural lens after surgery or injury.
- Not sure? Call CHAMPVA at 800-733-8387 before you go.
Teeth: what to know
- All CHAMPVA dental care needs prior approval, even the rare covered cases.
- Covered only when the dental work is part of treating another covered medical problem.
VADIP: dental insurance at a reduced cost
Who can join: CHAMPVA beneficiaries can enroll. That includes current or surviving spouses and dependent children enrolled in CHAMPVA. Veterans enrolled in VA health care can also join.
What it is: private dental insurance from Delta Dental or MetLife, offered through VA at a reduced cost. Plans can cover cleanings and checkups, fillings, root canals, oral surgery, and emergency care. You pay the monthly premium plus any copays. Prices depend on the plan.
How to enroll:
- Compare plans on Delta Dental’s VADIP site and MetLife’s VADIP site.
- Enroll online with the company you pick (links are also on VA’s VADIP page).
- Questions: Delta Dental 855-370-3303 · MetLife 888-310-1681.
If you were in the old VADIP pilot (2013–2017), you need to enroll again.
Other vision options
- The veteran: veterans enrolled in VA health care may get eye care from VA. See VA vision care. This is for the veteran, not family members on CHAMPVA.
- Medicare Advantage plans often include some vision benefits. Original Medicare usually doesn’t cover routine eye exams or glasses.
- Your other insurance or a private vision plan, if you have one.
- Children: CHAMPVA well-child care up to age 6 includes vision screenings.