Interim Federal Health Program: What is covered

Overseas Interim Federal Health Program coverage

If you have been chosen to resettle in Canada as a refugee, or are eligible under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) will cover some of your pre-departure medical services. This includes

• immigration medical exams and follow-up treatment of health conditions that would make someone inadmissible to Canada under paragraph 38(1)(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
• vaccinations
• medical support needed for safe travel
• certain health measures during a disease outbreak

Description of in-Canada IFHP coverage

In Canada, the IFHP provides limited, temporary coverage of health-care benefits to people in the following groups who aren’t eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance

• resettled refugees
• refugee claimants
• in-Canada protected persons
• certain other groups

The IFHP does not

• cover the cost of health-care services or products that a person may claim (even in part) under a public or private health insurance plan.
• coordinate benefits with other insurance plans or programs, so co-payments aren’t possible.

Basic coverage (similar to health-care coverage from provincial or territorial health insurance plans)

• in-patient and out-patient hospital services
• services from medical doctors, registered nurses and other health-care professionals licensed in Canada, including pre- and post-natal care
• laboratory, diagnostic and ambulance services

Supplemental coverage (similar to the coverage given to social assistance recipients by provincial and territorial governments)

• limited vision and urgent dental care
• home care and long-term care
• services from allied health-care practitioners including clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, counselling therapists, occupational therapists, speech language therapists, physiotherapists
• assistive devices, medical supplies and equipment, including
  • orthopedic and prosthetic equipment
  • mobility aids
  • hearing aids
  • diabetic supplies
  • incontinence supplies
  • oxygen equipment

Prescription drug coverage (similar to the coverage provinces and territories give to social assistance recipients)

• prescription medications and other products listed on provincial/territorial public drug plan formularies

Coverage for the Immigration Medical Exam (IME)

All beneficiaries are covered for one IME and any necessary IME-related diagnostic tests.

The benefits covered by the IFHP have certain limits including maximum dollar amounts. For more details, please consult the IFHP benefit grids:

• Basic Coverage
• Supplemental Coverage
• IME and IME Tests
• Dental Benefit Grid outside Québec
• Dental Benefit Grid – Québec
• Prescription Drug Coverage

• Next: Apply for coverage