Guide 5568 - Application for Interim Federal Health Program Coverage (IFHP)

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

This is not a legal document.

This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.

Overview

Application package

This application package consists of:

  • an instruction guide and
  • the required forms

The instruction guide is a tool that provides:

  • the information you must know about this application before sending it to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and
  • assistance with how to fill out the forms and the required supporting documents

Read the instruction guide thoroughly and then fill out each of the applicable forms.

The forms are specifically designed with questions that will assist the processing of your application.

Symbols used in this guide

This guide uses the following symbols to indicate information of particular importance.

Required step
What you must do to have your application processed.
Important information
Important information that you need to be aware of in order to avoid delays or other problems.
Get more information
Where to get more information.
Note:
Tips that will assist you with this application.

The application process

The instructions provided in this guide follow the basic steps you will need to know to complete your application.

  1. Gather documents
  2. Complete the application
  3. Mail the application

Before You Apply

Application for Interim Federal Health Program Coverage

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)

The Application for IFHP Coverage (IMM 5564) is for persons who are eligible for the IFHP and who want to:

  • apply for new coverage, or
  • extend their existing IFHP coverage, or
  • apply for modified coverage, or
  • request a confirmation of IFHP coverage if their original IFHP eligibility document has been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Read the following instructions carefully. Forms that are incomplete or illegible, or that are not accompanied by the required documents may take longer to process or be returned.

Important Information about IFHP Eligibility Documents

The IFHP eligibility document which could be either the Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD) or the Interim Federal Health Certificate of Eligibility (IFHP Certificate), is an important document that identifies you to registered IFHP health-care providers as someone who may have IFHP coverage.

Once you show your IFHP eligibility document to your registered IFHP provider, he must confirm your coverage with the IFHP Claims Administrator each time you need a service or product.

After applying for IFHP coverage

  • If you receive a new eligibility document, read it carefully and sign it in the area entitled “Signature of Holder.”
  • If you do not receive a new document, your coverage was extended and/or modified electronically in CIC’s computer system only, in which case you should continue to use your existing IFHP eligibility document.

Note: Your eligibility document will not be accepted by registered IFHP providers without your signature.

Types of IFHP Coverage

Your immigration status determines the type of coverage that you may be eligible for and is described in the section below entitled: Who is eligible?

The IFHP provides the following types of coverage:

  • 1. Expanded Health-Care Coverage
  • Coverage for services and products provided in Canada that include:
    • hospital services;
    • services of physicians, registered nurses and other health-care professionals licensed in Canada;
    • translation services for health purposes;
    • laboratory, diagnostic and ambulance services;
    • supplemental services; and
    • supplemental products.
  • 2. Health-Care Coverage
  • Coverage for services and products provided in Canada that are urgent or essential and that are:
    • hospital services;
    • services of physicians and registered nurses licensed in Canada;
    • laboratory, diagnostic, and ambulance services; and
    • coverage of medication and vaccines only if required to prevent or treat a disease posing a risk to public health or to treat a condition of public safety concern.
  • 3. Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care Coverage
  • Coverage for the following services and products provided in Canada, only if required to diagnose, prevent or treat a disease posing a risk to public health or to diagnose or treat a condition of public safety concern:
    • hospital services;
    • services of physicians and registered nurses licensed in Canada;
    • laboratory and diagnostic services (no ambulance services); and
      immunization and medication.
  • 4. Coverage for Immigration Medical Examinations
    Coverage provided for the cost of immigration medical examinations, including related tests, requested under paragraph 16(2)(b) of the IRPA. This examination is part of the process of applying to come to, or remain in Canada. Coverage of IMEs may be provided in conjunction with other types of coverage.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible, you must qualify under one of the groups listed in the chart below and must not be a Canadian citizen.

If you have private insurance, such as employer-sponsored supplemental health benefits, you may still be eligible for IFHP coverage. However, you are only eligible for coverage for those IFHP services or products that are not covered under your private insurance plan.

Eligible IFHP Groups and Types of Coverage
Resettled Refugees

You are a resettled refugee or a person in similar circumstances chosen for resettlement from outside Canada and you are or were in receipt of governmental resettlement assistance in the form of income support. You are eligible for Expanded Health-Care Coverage.

You are a resettled refugee or a person in similar circumstances chosen for resettlement from outside Canada and you do not receive or have not received governmental resettlement assistance in the form of income support. You are eligible for Health-Care Coverage.
Protected Persons
You are a refugee claimant who has received protected person status following a positive decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) on your claim or on your pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) application; or, your PRRA was approved but you did not have IFHP coverage prior to your application. You should contact your provincial or territorial (PT) health plan where you live and find out if you are already eligible for PT health care and how to apply. If you cannot apply right away, you are eligible for IFHP Health-Care Coverage until you are eligible for PT coverage.
Refugee Claimants

You are not from a Designated Country of Origin (DCO) and claimed refugee protection status in Canada and have not yet received a decision from the IRB. You are eligible for Health-Care Coverage, including Immigration Medical Examinations (IMEs). However, if your country is designated after the DCO policy came into effect (December 15, 2012), your coverage will change automatically to Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care Coverage from the date your country is designated.

You are from a DCO but made your claim before the DCO policy came into effect and have not yet received a decision from the IRB. You are eligible for Health-Care Coverage, including Immigration Medical Examinations (IMEs).

You are from a DCO and claimed refugee protection status in Canada and have not yet received a decision from the IRB. You are eligible for Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care Coverage, including Immigration Medical Examinations (IMEs).

Note: Your coverage can be cancelled or modified in CIC’s system without notice if your immigration status changes.

Examples of Stages of IFHP Coverage
If… Then…
CIC determines your refugee claim for protection is eligible to be referred to the IRB for review, on the decision date, your IFHP coverage will begin.
the IRB determines your status to be a Convention Refugee or person in need of protection OR you are granted protected person status as a result of your PRRA application being  approved, on the decision date, you will automatically be moved to protected persons group and your new Health-Care Coverage will automatically expire in 45 days – during this time, you must contact the PT health plan where you live and apply for PT insurance as soon as you are eligible.
your claim is rejected by the IRB and you are not appealing the negative decision,

if you are not from a DCO, your coverage will automatically change from Health-Care Coverage to Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care Coverage, for which you will continue to be eligible until you leave Canada ;

if you are from a DCO, your Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care Coverage will not change, for which you will continue to be eligible until you leave Canada.

you are not from a DCO and your claim is rejected but you submit an appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD),

your coverage will automatically change back from Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care Coverage to Health-Care Coverage, for which you will continue to be eligible until a decision is made on your appeal.

your claim or appeal is rejected and;

  • your leave application for judicial review is denied, or
  • the judicial review of your rejected claim is denied, and
  • any further appeals were unsuccessful,

if you are not from a DCO, your coverage will automatically change from Health-Care Coverage to Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care Coverage, for which you will continue to be eligible until you leave Canada;

if you are from a DCO, your Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care Coverage will not change, for which you will continue to be eligible until you leave Canada.
your claim is suspended,

if you are not from a DCO, your coverage will automatically change from Health-Care Coverage to Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care Coverage, for which you will continue to be eligible until a decision is made on your suspended claim.

if you are from a DCO, your Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care Coverage will not change, for which you will continue to be eligible until a decision is made on your suspended claim.
your claim is abandoned, withdrawn or re-determined ineligible, you are no longer eligible for IFHP and your coverage will terminate immediately.

Important information

In some provinces/territories (PT), refugee claimants can apply for PT health insurance as soon as they receive a positive decision. If you are required to wait longer than 45 days, you may need to apply for an extension of your IFHP coverage. See section below entitled: When to apply?


For more information

More details about the program can be found in the Order Respecting the Interim Federal Health Program, 2012, and the Interim Federal Health Program Policy. Both are available online at: www.cic.gc.ca/ifhp.

When to apply?

CIC processes applications for IFHP eligibility as quickly as possible. See Appendix A for CIC centre locations.

If… Then…

you meet the IFHP eligibility requirements and this is the first time you have applied for coverage,

you should submit an application indicating this is a request for first time coverage.

your current IFHP coverage will be expiring and your situation requires that you continue to be covered. For example:

  • you are waiting for a decision on your claim from the IRB; or
  • you are waiting for a decision on your appeal from the RAD; or
  • your leave application for judicial review was approved or the judicial review of your claim was granted; or
  • you are a protected person and are still waiting to be eligible to apply for PT health coverage,

you should submit an application for an extension no later than four weeks before the expiry date of your most recent coverage.

your immigration status has changed and you believe that you meet the eligibility requirements for a different type of coverage (which is not automatically registered in CIC’s system). For example:

  • your suspended claim was referred back to the IRB and you are now eligible for Health-Care Coverage,

you should submit an application and clearly indicate on the form that you are applying to modify your current coverage and describe your situation.

your immigration status has changed and you believe that you still meet the eligibility requirements to maintain your current coverage (which is not automatically registered in CIC’s system). For example:

  • you are appealing a denied judicial review to a higher court and you want to maintain Health-Care Coverage,

you should submit an application and clearly indicate on the form that you are applying to modify and/or extend your current coverage and describe your situation.

your IFHP eligibility document was lost, stolen or destroyed,

you should submit an application for confirmation of coverage.

Note: If the “Valid Until date” box on your new IFHP Certificate is blank, you can find the first expiry date of your coverage in the body of the text above your signature. You must apply to extend your coverage (not the Certificate) before this date, and then annually if you remain eligible. If you are not sure when your IFHP coverage expires, you can verify it by calling the CIC Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100.

How to apply?

Each eligible person 14 years of age and older must complete and sign a separate application form.

For children younger than 14 years old, a parent (or legal guardian, where present) must complete and sign the application form. The parent or legal guardian must print their name, sign the application form and check the box to indicate their relationship to the child.

Step 1. Gather Documents

What documents are required?

Collect the documents you need to support your application. Your application must include:

  • The Application for IFHP Coverage (IMM 5564)
  • A recent photograph of the person whose name appears on the application, but only if this is an application for a new coverage. The photograph must have been taken in the six months preceding your request and must meet the specifications of Appendix B. The name of the person appearing in the photograph must be written on the back of the photograph.
  • A clear and legible photocopy of the most recent of the following documents that CIC issued to you or to the child under 14 years of age you are applying for:
    • Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD)
    • Interim Federal Health Certificate of Eligibility (IFHP Certificate)
    • Any other document issued to you and your dependants, if applicable, by Canadian immigration authorities.

Step 2. Complete the Application

Filling out the application

Follow the step-by-step instructions below to complete the application form.

The following is the form that must be filled out and submitted for all applicants:

  • Application for IFHP Coverage (IMM 5564)

Important information

Be complete and accurate

Complete all sections. Answer truthfully and to the best of your knowledge. Be sure to sign your application form and attach the required supporting documents. Your application may be returned if any information or documents are missing.

Application for IFHP Coverage (IMM 5564)

Who needs to fill out this application form?

This form must be completed by:

  • Each eligible person 14 years of age and older,
  • A parent or legal guardian for children younger than 14 years old.
Section A - Personal Details

In this section, provide your personal information, such as family name, date of birth, address, etc.

Note: You can find your client identification number (Client ID) on your immigration document, issued by the CIC office, the Case Processing Centre, or the visa office where you filed your claim. Your client identification number consists of four numbers, a hyphen (-) and four more numbers. (Example: 0000-0000).

Section B – Information for Document Replacement

Complete Section B only if your IFHP eligibility document was lost, stolen or destroyed and you are applying to request a confirmation of existing IFHP coverage.

Section C – Your Status in Canada

In this section, you should describe your immigration status in Canada. Your answers in this section will be used to determine your IFHP eligibility and coverage. Answer truthfully and to the best of your knowledge.

Section D – Other Information

In this section, you should indicate if you have other health-care insurance and/or if you receive government resettlement assistance. Your answers in this section will be used to determine your IFHP eligibility. Answer truthfully and to the best of your knowledge.

Section E – Declaration of Applicant

Read the declaration. Then sign and date in the boxes provided.


Note

Be sure to attach your photo if this is an application for new coverage and the supporting documentation listed in the instructions accompanying this form.

Step 3. Mail the Application

Mailing instruction

Follow the instructions below to determine where to submit your application.

  • Put the completed forms, supporting documents, and photo if required in a 23 cm x 30.5 cm (9″ x 12″) envelope.
  • Be sure to use sufficient postage
  • Send your completed application to the nearest CIC centre listed in Appendix A (at the end of this guide).
Affix sufficient postage (top right of the envelope)
Sender (top left of the envelope)
 (Your name)
(Your Address)
(Your Postal Code)
Recipient (centre of the envelope)
 Citizenship and Immigration Centre
(Refer to the addresses shown in Appendix A for the closest office).

Note

Sign the form

The application must be signed and dated before it is mailed. If your application is not signed and dated, it will be returned to you.

What Happens Next

The application process

Submission

Once you have submitted your application to a CIC Centre, it will be evaluated to determine that it has been properly completed and submitted and that all requested supporting documentation has been provided.

The CIC centre may contact you if you need to provide:

  • more information,
  • additional documents, or
  • appear for an interview.

Processing

  • If you are applying, for the first time, to extend and/or modify your IFHP coverage and you meet the requirements, then CIC will:
    • issue a new Interim Federal Health Certificate of Eligibility to you, or
    • extend/modify your coverage electronically in CIC’s database only and send you a confirmation letter
  • If you are applying to request confirmation of an existing IFHP coverage, then CIC will:
    • Send you a confirmation letter
  • If your application for IFHP coverage is denied CIC will inform you in writing.

Note: Your eligibility period and/or coverage type will be determined based on your particular immigration status and the initial period will be no more than 12 months. After the 12 months, you will need to apply to extend your coverage if you are still eligible. CIC may also send you the IFHP Information Sheet for Beneficiaries which provides detailed information for program beneficiaries and health-care providers.


Important information

Note that when you signed your original document that provided you with IFHP coverage or when you sign a new such document issued as a result of this application, you agree that your medical and personal information will be shared with CIC, IFHP claims administration and other appropriate third-parties for the administration of the Interim Federal Health Program and that your personal information may be shared with other government institutions and other third-parties in accordance with the Privacy Act.

Factors that facilitate processing

There are certain things you can do to help ensure that your application is processed as promptly as possible by the office:

  • make sure that all the documentation and information requested is provided at the time your application is made.
  • make sure that you notify the CIC Centre promptly of any and all changes to your mailing address, family situation, or any other information that is important to your application.

Change of address

If you change your address after you submit your application, notify us immediately by:

  • e-mail, using the CIC on-line service (consult our website and follow the instructions on how to complete and send the electronic change of address form); or
  • calling the Call Centre.

Protecting your information

Your personal information is:

  • only available to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) employees who need to see it in order to provide the services to you, and
  • not disclosed to anyone else except as permitted under the provisions of the Privacy Act.

For more information. You can obtain additional information on the protection of your data by visiting the Help Centre on our website.

Online services

For more information on the programs offered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, visit our website.

How to contact CIC

Within Canada

CIC Call Centre:
1-888-242-2100 (toll-free)

Hours of operation:
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., your local time

If you are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing, or you have a speech impediment and use a text telephone, you can access the TTY service from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. your local time by calling: 1-888-576-8502 (in Canada only).

Appendix A - List of Citizenship and Immigration Centres

Atlantic

Quebec

Ontario

Prairies/Northern Territories

British Columbia/Yukon

Atlantic

Fredericton
495 Prospect Street
Fredericton, NB  E3B 9M4

Halifax
1741 Brunswick Street, Suite B110
Halifax, NS  B3J 3X8

St. John’s
21 Hallett Crescent
St. John’s, NL  A1B 4G2

Quebec

Montréal
1010 St-Antoine Street West, 2nd floor
Montréal, QC  H3C 1B2

Ontario

Greater Toronto Area, including Etobicoke, Mississauga and Scarborough
25 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 200
Toronto, ON  M4T 1M2

Outside the Greater Toronto Area
Send your application to the closest CIC as follows:

Hamilton
55 Bay Street North
Hamilton, ON  L8R 3P7

Kitchener
Waterloo/Wellington CIC
29 Duke Street East
Kitchener, ON  N2H 1A2

London
417 Exeter Road
London, ON  N6E 2Z3

Niagara Falls
4318 Portage Road,
Niagara Falls, ON  L2E 6A4

Ottawa
(includes Kingston)
200 Catherine Street, Suite 101
Ottawa, ON  K2P 2K9

Windsor
1250 Walker Road
Windsor, ON  N8Y 4T4

Prairies/Northern Territories

Calgary
Harry Hays Building, Room 210
220 4th Avenue S.E.
Calgary, AB  T2G 4X3

Edmonton
(including residents of Northwest Territories)
Canada Place
9700 Jasper Avenue
Suite 240,
Edmonton, AB  T5J 4C3

Saskatoon
410 22nd Street East
Suite 660
Saskatoon, SK  S7K 5T6

Winnipeg
(including residents of Nunavut)
Johnston Terminal, Room 400
25 Forks Market Road
Winnipeg, MB  R3C 0S9

British Columbia/Yukon

Vancouver
1148 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC  V6Z 2C3

Whitehorse
300 Main Street
Suite 215
Whitehorse, YT   Y1A2B5

Appendix B — Photo Specifications for IFHP Coverage

Notes to the applicant

TAKE THIS WITH YOU TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER

  • Photos for CIC are not the same as passport photos.
  • One (1) photo is required but only if this is your first application for IFHP coverage.

Notes to the photographer

The photo must:

  • show a full front view of the person’s head and shoulders showing full face centered in the middle of the photograph;
  • have a plain white background;
  • be identical (black and white or colour) produced from the same untouched negative, or exposed simultaneously by a split-image or multi-lens camera;

The photo must:

  • measure between 25 mm and 30 mm (1″ and 1 1/5″) from chin to crown
  • have a 35 mm x 45 mm (1 3/8″ x 1 3/4″) finished size

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