Anyone use ChampVA?

Has anyone had champva to pay for their RNY or pay it without a big hassel? My doctors all tell me I have to have one done, not for weight loss reasons, but to stop all acid productions for reflux. The acid reflux has now caused multiple complications that could eventually be life threating. All other reflux surgeries are not an option for me so 3 doctors have told me. I have barretts esophagus with many ulcers and erosions as well as a bleeding hiatal hernia. My recent biopsies came back with mild dysplasia. Hopefull this surgery will stop the gerd and help heal me so it doesn't become cancer. This also will stop further damage to my lungs due to aspiration. As a side benefit, it will help with weight loss, high blood pressure, diabetes, and my sleep apnea.

I'm pretty sure they do. I don't know what state you are in but you can go here http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/insurers.php to the Insurer By State page. Click on your state it will take you to all the insurers; up towards the top under navigation click on C then scroll down to ChampVA. Then you'll get to see what other ChampVA insurers have said about being approved for surgery. HTH Andi

Is there still ChampVA? I know that several years ago they changed the name of Champus to Tricare. Is ChampVA different? Just curious.

I have to ask What is ChampVA also? My hubby is on Tricare for life. It is great. he pays nothing. Medicare pays and then Tricare for Life picks up the rest. The only requirement is he has to go to a Dr that accepts Medicare. I am still on Tricare Prime since I am not yet 65. Diana

ChampVA stands for Civilian Health and medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Champva is insurance that is provided for the spouse and dependents of 100% Total and Permanent disabled veterans by the Veterans Administration. This Insurance is free to me but I also have a supplement that I do pay for to pick up the balance after Champva. ChampVa Pays for 75% of the allowable charges. I have the supplement to pick up the other 25%. My handbook states that it will pay for the surgery due to Morbid obesity. I have an appointment with the surgeon Oct. 2 to see what all he will do. Right now, I am looking at the RNY and Hiatal Hernia repair.

Champva is Civilian Health and Medical Program of Veterans Affairs. It is insurance for the dependents of 100% total and permanent disabled veterans. It is kinda like tricare. This insurance pays 75% of the allowable charges. After 3000. out of pocket, they will pay 100%. I have a supplement that will pick up the 3000. for me. The handbook does say they will pay for the RNY for morbid obesity. This is not why I am having the surgery, but it will help with the obesity. All my problems were caused by a banding that I had in 1990. They had to take the band off in 1999 because of all of the complication that it cause then. The doctors did tell me that I may still get cancer of the esophagus and this surgery may or maynot stop the damage, but if I don't have it, I definately will get it. I already have the changes. After reading a lot on this board, I feel more at peace about having it. Since I had a previous band, I do know what it is about with the eating and such. I do thank everyone who has been willing to share their stories with others.