Legal Definitions - OCHAMPUS

OCHAMPUS stands for the Office of Civilian Health and Medical Programs of the Uniformed Services.

OCHAMPUS was a specific government office responsible for administering healthcare benefits for eligible dependents of uniformed service members, retirees, and their families. It managed the program known as CHAMPUS (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services), which provided access to civilian healthcare services. Essentially, OCHAMPUS was the administrative body that oversaw the operations, claims processing, and benefit delivery for this healthcare system. While the program has evolved and is now primarily known as TRICARE, OCHAMPUS was the office that managed its functions during its active period.

• Example 1: A spouse of an active-duty Army soldier living off-base needed to see a civilian dermatologist for a skin condition. OCHAMPUS would have been the administrative body responsible for processing the claims submitted by the civilian dermatologist's office and ensuring that the spouse's medical expenses were covered according to the CHAMPUS benefit plan.

  Explanation: This illustrates OCHAMPUS's role in managing the healthcare benefits for military dependents who sought medical care from civilian providers outside of military treatment facilities.

• Example 2: A retired Marine Corps veteran, who qualified for CHAMPUS benefits, required a new pair of eyeglasses and visited a civilian optometrist. OCHAMPUS would have been the office responsible for overseeing the vision care benefits, ensuring that the veteran's costs for the eye exam and glasses were covered or reimbursed as per the established guidelines for retirees under the CHAMPUS program.

  Explanation: This shows OCHAMPUS's administrative function in providing a range of healthcare benefits, including vision care, for eligible retired service members.

• Example 3: The child of a Coast Guard officer developed a chronic illness requiring regular visits to a pediatric specialist at a civilian hospital. OCHAMPUS would have been the office that reviewed and approved the necessary authorizations for the specialized civilian care and managed the ongoing payment process for the hospital visits and treatments under the CHAMPUS program.

  Explanation: This highlights OCHAMPUS's role in authorizing and managing specialized civilian medical services for eligible family members of uniformed personnel, ensuring continuity of care for complex conditions.