Interim Federal Health Program – Information for health care professionals in Canada

Health care providers registered with Medavie Blue Cross provide services and products to Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) beneficiaries.

1. Become a Medavie Blue Cross registered provider

Refer to the IFHP Information Handbook for Health-care Professionals (PDF) to find out how to submit the registration form (PDF) to become a Medavie Blue Cross registered provider.

2. Determine client eligibility

You must verify that a patient is eligible for IFHP coverage with Medavie Blue Cross before providing a service or product each time you see that patient, as a person may cease to be eligible at any time.

You can quickly and easily verify your patient’s IFHP coverage:

• Call Medavie Blue Cross at 1-888-614-1880 (08:30 to 16:30 in each Canadian zone); or
• Log into the secure section of the provider web portal.

Use these resources to help you navigate the portal and provide services to your patient:

• Quick Reference Guide – Verify Patient Coverage (PDF)
• IFHP Information Handbook for Health Care Professionals (PDF)

Note that it takes at least two business days for coverage to be activated in the Medavie Blue Cross system after it is issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Beneficiaries are still eligible during this time. Providers can consult the IFHP Information Handbook for Health Care Professionals (see above) for services sought during this two-day period.

3. Submit a claim and receive payment

You must not charge beneficiaries for services or products covered under the IFHP. You must directly bill the IFHP through Medavie Blue Cross. Claims can be submitted electronically via the provider web portal, by mail or by fax to 506-867-3841.

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. The IFHP does not coordinate benefits with other insurance plans/programs so co-payments aren’t possible.

Before you provide treatment

Ask patients if they are eligible for any private or public health insurance program or plan that covers the service or product. If the patient has another plan or program, you can’t be reimbursed by the IFHP. It doesn’t matter how much of the claim is covered by that insurance.

See the Medavie Blue Cross Provider Portal for the description of benefits covered.

After you provide treatment

You must ask the beneficiary to sign the claim form:

Hospital Services Claim Form

Medical/General Services Claim Form (PDF)

Pharmaceutical Service Claim Form (PDF)

Optical Services Claim Form (PDF)

Dental Services Claim Form (PDF)

Before you submit it to Medavie Blue Cross. Submit a claim to Medavie Blue Cross:

• Online
  Submit your claim through the Secure Provider Web portal
• By mail
  Interim Federal Health Program
  Medavie Blue Cross
  644 Main St. PO Box 6000
  Moncton, NB E1C 0P9
• Or fax
  506-867-3841

Consult the following Medavie Blue Cross guides for more information on how to submit a claim and receive payment:

• IFHP Information Handbook for Health Care Professionals (PDF)
• Quick Reference Guide – Verify Patient Coverage (PDF)
• Electronic Dental Claims Quick Reference Guide (PDF)
• Claims Procedures for Point of Sale (POS) Claims Transmissions (PDF)

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