Interim Federal Health Program: Summary of Benefits

Resettled refugees who receive income support through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) or its equivalent in Quebec:

• Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs); and
• Privately sponsored refugees (PSRs) who receive RAP income support (Most Visa-Office Referred refugees and Joint Assistance Sponsorship Program refugees).

Expanded Health-Care Coverage

• Hospital services;
• Services of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals licensed in Canada; and
• Laboratory, diagnostic and ambulance services.

The services and products listed above are covered only until they qualify for provincial or territorial health insurance.

and

• Supplemental health-care benefits, including:
  • prescribed medications and other pharmacy products;
  • limited dental and vision care;
  • prosthetics and devices to assist mobility;
  • home care and long-term care;
  • psychological counselling provided by a registered clinical psychologist; and
  • post-arrival health assessments.

Supplemental benefits are covered for as long as the person receives income support or for the duration of the sponsorship.

Resettled refugees who do not receive income support through RAP or its equivalent in Quebec:

• Most privately sponsored refugees.

Health-Care Coverage

Only if of an urgent or essential nature:

• Hospital services;
• Services of doctors and nurses; and
• Laboratory, diagnostic and ambulance services.

The services and products listed above are covered only until they qualify for provincial or territorial health insurance.

and

Medications and vaccines only if needed to prevent or treat a disease that is a risk to public health or to treat a condition of public safety concern.

These medications and vaccines are covered for the duration of the sponsorship.

Other Protected Persons

• Refugees whose claims have been accepted; and
• Most people who have received a positive Pre-Removal Risk Assessment.

Health-Care Coverage

Only if of an urgent or essential nature:

• Hospital services;
• Services of doctors and nurses; and
• Laboratory, diagnostic and ambulance services.

and

Medications and vaccines only if needed to prevent or treat a disease that is a risk to public health or to treat a condition of public safety concern.

These benefits are covered only until they qualify for provincial or territorial health insurance.

Victims of Human Trafficking who have been issued a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP)

Expanded Health-Care Coverage

• Hospital services;
• Services of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals licensed in Canada; and
• Laboratory, diagnostic and ambulance services.

and

• Supplemental health-care benefits, including:
  • prescribed medications and other pharmacy products;
  • limited dental and vision care;
  • prosthetics and devices to assist mobility;
  • home care and long-term care;
  • psychological counselling provided by a registered clinical psychologist; and
  • post-arrival health assessments.

and

• an Immigration Medical Examination.

This coverage lasts for the duration of the TRP.

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 and who receive income support through RAP or the equivalent in Quebec.

Expanded Health-Care Coverage

• Hospital services;
• Services of doctors, nurses and other health care professionals licensed in Canada; and
• Laboratory, diagnostic and ambulance services.

and

• Supplemental health-care benefits, including:
  • prescribed medications and other pharmacy products;
  • limited dental and vision care;
  • prosthetics and devices to assist mobility;
  • home care and long-term care;
  • psychological counselling provided by a registered clinical psychologist; and
  • post-arrival health assessments.

and

• an Immigration Medical Examination if done in Canada.

This coverage lasts for as long as the person receives income support through RAP or the equivalent in Quebec.

Refugee Claimants

• while their claim is still pending and
• who are not from a Designated Country of Origin (DCO)
• who are from a DCO but made their claim before December 15, 2012.

Health-Care Coverage

Only if of an urgent or essential nature:

• Hospital services;
• Services of doctors and nurses; and
• Laboratory, diagnostic and ambulance services.

and

Medications and vaccines but only if needed to prevent or treat a disease that is a risk to public health or to treat a condition of safety concern

and

An immigration medical examination

Refugee Claimants, while their claim is still pending, who are from a DCO*.

*If a country is designated, any citizen of that country who has made a claim since the policy took effect will receive Public Health or Public Safety Coverage from the date that the country is designated.

Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care Coverage

Only if needed 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 doctors and nurses; and
• Laboratory and diagnostic services.

and

Medications and vaccines only if needed to prevent or treat a disease that is a risk to public health or to treat a condition of public safety concern.

and

An immigration medical examination

Rejected Refugee Claimants

People whose claims have been rejected by the Immigration and Refugee Board, and whose right to judicial review or any appeal of that judicial review has been exhausted.

Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care Coverage

Only if needed 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 doctors and nurses; and
• Laboratory and diagnostic services.

and

Medications and vaccines only if needed to prevent or treat a disease posing a risk to public health or to treat a condition of public safety concern

Refugee claimants who have withdrawn or abandoned their claim or who have been found not eligible

None.

Applicants for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment who have not previously made a refugee claim

None.

People or groups granted IFHP benefits on the initiative of the Minister because of exceptional and compelling circumstances.

Custom Coverage

Either:

Health-Care Coverage (same as for some protected persons) or

Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care Coverage (same as refugee claimants from DCOs), and
May or may not include an immigration medical examination and medications or vaccines before arriving in Canada.

People detained by the Canada Border Services Agency

Covers the costs of delivering health-care services and products