What is covered

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) pays for urgent or essential health care in Canada.

It also covers some medical services for resettled refugees before they arrive.

Your coverage will depend on your eligibility group.

On this page

• Health care covered in Canada
• Health care covered outside of Canada
• What isn’t covered
• Contact Medavie Blue Cross

Health care covered in Canada

You can only get the services below from health care professionals who are registered with the IFHP. The IFHP does not pay for services or products even partially covered by another public or private health plan.

Basic coverage

This covers standard care like

• hospital services
• services from medical doctors, registered nurses and other licensed health care professionals
• ambulance services
• lab and diagnostic services (like blood tests and ultrasounds)

Supplemental coverage

This covers extended health care like

• psychologists and counselling therapists
• occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech language therapists
• assistive devices like prosthetics, mobility aids and hearing aids
• home care and long-term care
• urgent dental care and limited vision care
• medical supplies and equipment

Prescription drug coverage

This means medication prescribed to you by a medical professional.

Immigration medical examination (IME)

For certain groups of clients in Canada, the IFHP also covers the cost of one immigration medical examination (if not previously covered under pre-departure medical services [PDMS]).

See all covered health services and products

Health care covered outside of Canada

Outside Canada, the IFHP covers some pre-departure medical services (PDMS):

• an immigration medical examination (IME), including follow-up treatment of health conditions that would make you inadmissible to Canada on public health grounds
• vaccinations
• medical support needed for safe travel
• certain health measures during a disease outbreak

What isn’t covered

The IFHP doesn’t:

•  cover services or products you can claim under other health insurance
•  coordinate with other health insurance plans

Contact Medavie Blue Cross

The IFHP doesn’t cover all health care services or products. Know what health care products and services are included in your IFHP coverage before you request them. If you need a health care service or product that isn’t covered, you will have to pay for it.

If you aren’t sure what is covered or need support, you can contact Medavie Blue Cross, the company that administers the IFHP:

• Check the Medavie Blue Cross website.
• Telephone: 1-888-614-1880 (in Canada only)
• TTY: 1-800-855-0511 (Voice to TTY)
  • 711 (TTY to Voice)
• 1-800-855-1155 (TTY to TTY)