Spina Bifida / Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides monetary allowances, vocational training and rehabilitation and VA-financed health care benefits to certain Korea and Vietnam Veterans' birth children who have been diagnosed with spina bifida. For the purpose of this program, spina bifida is defined as all forms or manifestations of spina bifida (except spina bifida occulta). Effective October 10, 2008, there was a change to Public Law 110-387, Section 408, which outlines the benefits available under the Spina Bifida Program. As a result of this change, medical services and supplies for spina bifida beneficiaries are no longer limited to the spina bifida condition. This program now covers comprehensive health care considered medically necessary and appropriate. The VA's Health Administration Center in Denver, Colorado, manages the Spina Bifida Health Care Program, including the authorization of benefits and the subsequent processing and payment of claims.
Related Links
Announcing Meds by Mail Home Delivery Program
Overview - Spina Bifida
- Spina Bifida Health Care Program (01-06)
- Spina Bifida Payment Methodology (01-10)
- Spina Bifida Fact Sheet for Providers and Office Managers (01-12)
If you are the birth child of a Vietnam veteran and you have been diagnosed with spina bifida you may already be receiving monetary allowances, vocational training or rehabilitation due to your condition. Did you know that you might also be entitled to VA-financed healthcare benefits?
To be qualified you must be diagnosed with spina bifida as the VA defines it, basically, as all forms or manifestations of spina bifida (except spina bifida occulta), including complications or associated medical conditions related to spina bifida.
Healthcare benefits you would receive under this program are limited to those necessary for the treatment of your spina bifida and related medical conditions. You should however, be aware that this program is NOT a comprehensive healthcare plan and does not cover medical services unrelated to spina bifida.
Benefits
In general, the program covers most healthcare services and supplies that are medically or psychologically necessary for the treatment of conditions related to spina bifida. While some services require specific advance approval or preauthorization, the following services are specifically excluded from coverage
- care unrelated to spina bifida
- care as part of a grant study or research program
- care considered experimental or investigational
- drugs not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for commercial marketing
- services, procedures or supplies for which the beneficiary has no legal obligation to pay, such as services obtained at a health fair
- services provided outside the scope of the provider's license or certification
- services rendered by providers suspended or sanctioned by a federal agency
Overview - CWVV
If you are a female Vietnam veteran with a child who has a birth defect or you are a child of a female Vietnam veteran with a birth defect, you or your child may be eligible for VA-financed health care. This program is very similar to the Spina Bifida program in scope and will pay for services and supplies related to any birth related condition determined to exist.
Assistance
Eligibility/Application Information: 1-888-820-1756
Healthcare Benefits Information/Registration
Spina Bifida Health Care Program |
|
| Contact Method | Detail |
|---|---|
| IRIS: | Inquiry Routing & Information System (IRIS) For specific guidance when using IRIS for your CHAMPVA inquiry click here. |
| Phone: | 1-888-820-1756 |
| Fax: | 303-331-7807 |
| Mailing Address: | VA Health Administration Center Spina Bifida Healthcare Benefits PO Box 469065 Denver CO 80246-9065 |
Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV)
| Contact Method | Detail |
|---|---|
| IRIS: | Inquiry Routing & Information System (IRIS) For specific guidance when using IRIS for your CHAMPVA inquiry click here. |
| Phone: | 1-888-820-1756 |
| Fax: | 303-331-7807 |
| Mailing Address: | VA Health Administration Center CWVVV Healthcare Benefits PO Box 469065 Denver CO 80246-9065 |
VA Spina Bifida Healthcare Benefits Handbook
The VA Spina Bifida Healthcare Benefits Handbook contains important information on VA spina bifida healthcare benefits. You are highly encouraged to read it carefully prior to using your spina bifida benefits.
VA Spina Bifida Policy Manual
More Information
There is additional information on the web about spina bifida. We suggest these links.
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