CIMM – Interim Federal Health Program: Healthcare Coverage for Refugees and Asylum Seekers – May 12, 2022

Key Messages

• The Government of Canada has invested $738.9M over two years (2021-2022 to 2022-2023) in the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) to ensure that refugees and asylum claimants have access to temporary healthcare coverage to address their immediate and essential medical needs.
• The Program is an important component of the Government’s suite of federal benefits for refugees and asylum claimants, supporting their settlement outcomes and their ability to fully participate in their new communities.
• Through the IFHP, the Government bridges a gap in healthcare coverage for refugees and asylum claimants until they qualify for provincial or territorial insurance, as well as for other uniquely vulnerable foreign nationals, such as detainees and victims of human trafficking, who are not otherwise eligible to receive publicly funded healthcare in Canada.
• The IFHP also covers the cost of certain overseas pre-departure medical services for refugees coming to Canada under our resettlement programs, including vaccinations and immigration medical exams, to mitigate health risks prior to their arrival.

Supplementary Messages

Interim Federal Health Program Funding

• Prior to the pandemic, the cost of the IFHP had been increasing year-over-year due, primarily, to new humanitarian commitments and rising asylum volumes.
• While Program expenditures have been lower than expected since March 2020 as a result of pandemic restrictions, the reopening of our borders is leading to growth in eligible populations and a concomitant growth in costs for the IFHP.
• Economic and Fiscal Snapshot 2020 provided funding for the IFHP in the amount of $327.7M for 2021-2022 and $411.2M for 2022-2023. Funding of $411.2M is being sought through the 2022-2023 Main Estimates, representing an increase of $83.5M over the previous fiscal year which reflects the increase in eligible clients.
• Given the effects of the pandemic on Canada’s healthcare system, investments in the Program continue to play an important role in minimizing the impact of newcomer health on provinces and territories; offsetting expenses, lowering long-term costs, and helping to ensure the sustainability of publicly funded healthcare.

Interim Federal Health Program COVID-19 Response

• The pandemic has made it more challenging to access certain health-care services in-person. In response, we have expanded the IFHP to include coverage of the cost of a range of telephone and virtual services.
• This has helped to facilitate access to health services for refugees and asylum claimants and other vulnerable foreign nationals eligible for IFHP coverage, who may be disproportionally affected by the pandemic, and who may face barriers in attending health services due to their location, physical disability, or child-care responsibilities.
• Overseas, the Department is working with the International Organization for Migration to deliver COVID-19 specific pre-departure medical services to resettled refugees before their arrival in Canada, including testing, isolation services, and vaccines where it is available.

Supports for foreign nationals from Afghanistan

• Afghan nationals seeking refuge in Canada may have been evacuated on an urgent basis, some with minimal resources, and with physical and mental health issues that may require immediate and ongoing medical attention.
• The IFHP is contributing to Canada’s response to the situation in Afghanistan. Afghan nationals under Canada’s special immigration measures and dedicated humanitarian and extended family-reunification programs are receiving in-Canada health benefits and pre-departure medical services, including coverage of their immigration medical exams.
• This coverage ensures that medical interventions are available prior to and during travel, that barriers to integrating into our healthcare system are minimized, and that their limited financial resources can be redirected to support their settlement in Canada.

If pressed – Healthcare Coverage for Ukrainians Seeking Temporary Protection in Canada

• Ukrainians and their family members who arrive as part of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel are not eligible under the IFHP. In general, visitors, students, and temporary foreign workers are beyond the mandate of the Program.
• However, they have access to open work permits and study permits, which allow them to qualify for insured health services in several provinces and territories. In addition, a number of jurisdictions – including Ontario and Quebec – have taken steps to extend health coverage to uninsured Ukrainians seeking safe haven in Canada, in response to the extraordinary humanitarian situation.
• Recognizing that Canada’s approach to Ukraine has been a rapidly evolving effort, a coordinated, whole of government response has been necessary to ensure that immediate and ongoing support is available so that these vulnerable newcomers receive the care they need to address any health issues, and to reduce the long-term impacts of trauma caused by exposure to war.

Supporting Facts and Figures

• In fiscal year 2021-2022, 242,405 refugees and asylum claimants were eligible for the IFHP. This was 11% higher than in fiscal year 2020-2021. This increase is mainly attributed to the easing of border restrictions and growth in refugee volumes related to Afghanistan resettlement.

  Figure 1: IFHP Eligible Beneficiaries by Year

  	Fy 2016-17	Fy 2017-18	Fy 2018-19	Fy 2019-20	Fy 2020-21	Fy 2021-22
  Asylum Seekers	63,028	97,704	140,800	185,111	163,671	166,345
  In-Canada Resettled Refugees	67,312	56,717	52,586	57,235	41,883	33,228
  Overseas Refugees		22,343	34,533	37,977	12,253	42,832

  Source: IFHP Population Profile - PIU Statistics.

• The Department continues to work closely with a network of more than 94,000 service providers registered with the program to ensure that IFHP beneficiaries are well supported and can access necessary medical care upon arrival in Canada.