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

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

Features

Newcomer services in your area

Questions about the Interim Federal Health Program

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