Interim Federal Health Program: Who is eligible
The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) provides basic, supplemental and prescription drug coverage within Canada to all eligible beneficiaries.
For the following groups of beneficiaries, the IFHP also covers the cost of one Immigration Medical Exam (IME) in Canada as needed
- refugee claimants
- victims of human trafficking
- victims of domestic violence
- immigration detainees held under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)
IFHP eligible groups
The list below is an overview of groups that are eligible for in-Canada IFHP benefits and the length of coverage available to them.
1) Resettled refugees
- Government-assisted refugees
- Blended visa office-referred refugees
- Joint assistance sponsorship refugees
- Certain refugees sponsored by organizations in cost-sharing arrangements with IRCC
- Certain people who are being resettled in Canada as a result of a public policy or humanitarian and compassionate considerations on the Minister’s own initiative
- Privately sponsored refugees
Length of coverage
- Basic coverage is provided only until the beneficiary qualifies for provincial or territorial health insurance.
- Supplemental and prescription drug coverage is provided
- as long as the beneficiary receives income support from the Resettlement Assistance Program (or its equivalent in Quebec), or
- until the beneficiary is no longer under private sponsorship.
2) Protected persons in Canada
- Individuals who receive a positive decision on their asylum claim
- Individuals who receive a positive decision on their pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) and become a protected person
Length of coverage
- Basic, supplemental and prescription drug coverage is provided for 90 days from the date the asylum claim or PRRA is accepted, or until they become eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance.
3) Refugee claimants
A refugee claimant is a person who makes a claim for refugee protection in Canada. This includes a refugee claimant
- waiting for a decision on whether their claim is eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)
- whose claim for refugee protection has been referred to the IRB and who is waiting for a final decision from the IRB on their claim
- whose claim for refugee protection has been rejected by the IRB
- whose claim for refugee protection is ineligible to be referred to the IRB but who is eligible to apply for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA)
- who gets a positive decision on a PRRA and receives a stay of removal
Length of coverage
- Basic, supplemental and prescription drug coverage continues until the beneficiary leaves Canada or becomes eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance.
- IFHP coverage will be cancelled immediately if
- the refugee claimant withdraws their claim for refugee protection
- the claim for refugee protection has been abandoned
- the claim for refugee protection is ineligible to be referred to the IRB and the refugee claimant isn’t eligible to apply for a PRRA
4) Victims of human trafficking
- Victims of human trafficking who have a valid temporary resident permit (under section 24(3) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act).
Length of coverage
- Basic, supplemental and prescription drug coverage continues for the duration of the temporary resident permit.
5) Victims of domestic violence
- Foreign nationals experiencing family violence who have a valid temporary resident permit corresponding to Ministerial Instructions (under section 24(3) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act).
Length of coverage
- Basic, supplemental and prescription drug coverage continues for the duration of the temporary resident permit.
6) Detainees
- Detainees include individuals incarcerated under the IRPA while in detention.
Length of coverage
- Basic, supplemental and prescription drug coverage continues for the period that the individual is detained by the Canada Border Service Agency under the IRPA.
7) Certain other groups
- Other groups may be given eligibility to apply for the IFHP under certain circumstances.
For more information on the benefits covered by the IFHP, see the IFHP Summary of Coverage.
Features
Newcomer services in your area
Questions about the Interim Federal Health Program
Access the Secure Beneficiary Web Portal
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