Guide to the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program

Appendix A:
Interim Federal Health Program

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) is designed to provide temporary medical coverage for certain immigrants in need of assistance. Eligible services include basic coverage—treatments normally covered by provincial or territorial health insurance plans—plus supplemental coverage—health benefits such as drugs, dental and vision care similar to those provided by provincial or territorial social assistance plans. The IFHP serves approximately 125,000 beneficiaries through a network of over 18,000 registered health-care providers across Canada. Health-care providers are reimbursed directly for services rendered to eligible clients.

Refugees who are accepted for resettlement in Canada, whether government-assisted or privately sponsored, are eligible for full benefits under the IFHP until coverage under their provincial health plan begins. Depending on the province of destination, the waiting period for basic provincial health-care coverage can be as much as 90 days after the refugee has arrived in the province. Once provincial coverage has started, refugees are still eligible for supplemental benefits under the IFHP while they are covered by a private sponsorship or accessing benefits under the Resettlement Assistance Program, usually for one year from the time of their arrival in Canada.

Refugees who are able to pay for their own health-care services or who are covered by a private health-care plan are not eligible for IFHP coverage.

Eligibility for IFHP for refugees is documented on the Interim Federal Health Certificate, a computer-generated form which includes security features and a stamped photograph. It is usually issued on arrival at the port of entry, but may also be applied for after arrival. To apply for or extend IFHP coverage, download the form and instructions. You may also call the CIC Call Centre at 1-888-242‑2100 and request that the forms be sent by mail. Then, mail the completed form to the CPO-W identified in the instructions. To ensure your coverage remains current, send in your application four weeks before your coverage is due to expire.

LIST OF WHAT IS COVERED BY THE IFHP (subject to prescribed limits)

Basic Coverage

Medical Services
  • Doctor visits
  • Standard immunizations
  • Prenatal and obstetrical care
  • Lab tests and x-rays
Hospital Services
  • Medical and Surgical Care, including:
  • Anaesthesia
  • Psychiatric care
  • Dialysis
  • Blood transfusion
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiotherapy
  • Diagnostic imaging (i.e., magnetic resonance imaging, computer tomography scans and ultrasounds)

Supplemental Coverage

Vision Care
  • One pair of eyewear (glasses and/or lenses every two years)
  • One vision test per year
Dental Care
  • Emergency examinations
  • X-rays
  • Extractions
  • Certain fillings (requires pre-approval)
  • Anaesthesia
  • Dentures (requires pre-approval)
Pharmaceuticals
  • Essential prescription medications
Community-Based Services
  • Nursing visits
  • Home care visits (requires pre-approval)
  • Long-term care facilities (requires pre-approval)
Other Services
  • Emergency ambulance service
  • Post-arrival health assessment for resettled refugees
  • Occupational therapy (requires pre-approval)
  • Physiotherapy (requires pre-approval)
  • Speech therapy (requires pre-approval)
  • Oxygen therapy and respiratory aids (requires pre-approval)
  • Hearing aids(requires pre-approval)
  • Mobility aids (requires pre-approval)
  • Orthotics and prosthetics  (requires pre-approval)
  • Pressure garments and continence aids
  • Ostomy and surgical supplies

EXAMPLES OF WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE IFHP

Medical Services

  • Acupuncture
  • Cosmetic procedures
  • Chiropractic treatment
  • Plastic surgery for aesthetic purposes
  • Condoms
  • Homeopathic and naturopathic treatment
  • Non-medical male circumcisions
  • Podiatry
  • Third-party medical reports/services
  • Medical advice by telephone or other means of telecommunications
  • Renewal of prescriptions by pharmacists
  • Medical legal reports
  • Massage therapy
  • Fertility treatments
  • Reversal of sterilization procedures

Dental Care

  • Orthodontics
  • Root planing
  • Root canal
  • Cosmetic services
  • Crowns
  • Veneers
  • Implants

 

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