If you were already chosen to resettle in Canada as a refugee, 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
- protected persons, including resettled refugees
- refugee claimants
- 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.