Which of these best summarizes CHAMPUS?

CHAMPUS, which stands for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services, is best summarized as a cost-sharing program for military dependents. It was designed to provide healthcare benefits to the dependents of active-duty service members, retirees, and others who receive military health benefits.

This program helps cover the costs of care received from civilian healthcare providers when services are not available through military medical facilities. CHAMPUS operates by sharing the costs of covered medical services, meaning that beneficiaries typically pay a portion of the costs out-of-pocket, with the program covering the remainder after certain deductibles and co-payments.

This understanding is critical as it highlights the program's focus on providing access to healthcare rather than being restricted to retirees only or offering only inpatient care. Additionally, it is not an insurance program for service members themselves, but rather for their dependents, further clarifying its role in military healthcare.