Designated Medical Practitioner Handbook

Chapter 7: Fees for the Immigration Medical Examination

With certain exceptions (refugees and refugee claimants), applicants are responsible for paying all fees and costs associated with the immigration medical examinations. This includes fees for DMP services, and radiological and laboratory examinations. Applicants are also responsible for specialist’s consultations, investigations, treatment (when applicants are referred for treatment for tuberculosis or syphilis, for example) and charges to send medical documents to the CIC regional medical office. The methods and costs of sending the medical documentation to the regional medical office should be discussed with the applicant in advance to prevent any misunderstanding. However, it is the DMP who must send the documents directly to the CIC regional medical office.

DMPs should charge reasonable fees based on discussions with the medical officer in the relevant RMO. The agreed fees would be the maximum the DMP is entitled to charge for the standard medical examination and for administrative handling. Fees will reflect local conditions and service charges. As a consequence, the fees for Canadian IMEs will vary by country. Within some countries, fees for the IME may vary by geographic location, depending on the situation.

DMPs, who routinely forward immigration medical records by mail, [note 3] may be requested to transfer some records by more expedient means in cases such as IMEs for students and certain urgent situations. On request, DMPs may forward these records by commercial courier at the expense of the applicant.

A listing of current fees and charges for the IME, required radiological and laboratory investigations, postage or courier charges, and other services should be posted in the clinic or office. If DMPs utilize special group fees or fees for large families, these fees should be included on the listing. Copies should be available for applicants on request, and applicants should be provided with a receipt for services.

Complaints or questions about fees and charges for Canadian IMEs should be directed to the responsible visa or immigration office.

7.1 Fees for Translation Services

The need for translation in most IME situations outside of Canada is an exceptional circumstance. When a translator is required, the applicant is responsible for the fees for these services. The applicant should be advised in advance that a translator is required and that the charges for those services will be added to the costs of the IME.

If the applicant is a refugee, refugee claimant or protected person for whom the costs of the IME are being paid by CIC internationally, or through the Interim Federal Health (IFH) Program in Canada, translation services will be paid by the appropriate program. DMPs working outside of Canada should seek approval of translation services for refugees from the responsible CIC immigration or visa office. Those DMPs performing IMEs on refugee claimants in Canada are to seek approval for these charges from the IFH Program (see Chapter 10).

7.2 Immigration Medical Exam for Refugees and Refugee Applicants

IMEs Performed Outside of Canada

In the case of certain overseas refugees, fees for the immigration medical examination are initially paid by the Government of Canada through the Immigration Loans Program. DMPs examining refugees outside of Canada will be advised of payment procedures by CIC. Questions regarding payment for IMEs performed on refugees outside of Canada should be directed to the responsible Canadian immigration or visa office.

IMEs Performed in Canada

The IFH Program pays for costs related to the immigration medical examination for refugee claimants, Convention refugees and other individuals with protected persons status. Further details on the IFH Program can be found in Chapter 10 –“DMP Activities in Canada.” However, it is important to note that in no case shall the DMP charge these individuals a fee or a deposit.

7.3 Missed/Cancelled Appointments

From time to time, applicants may miss or cancel appointments for their IME. DMPs may charge for missed appointments in accordance with local standards of practice. In situations where applicants cancel or miss several booked appointments, DMPs should notify their respective regional medical office. In these situations, DMPs may refuse to reschedule any further appointments unless directed by their respective RMO.

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3. In some locations, DMPs may be instructed by regional medical officers to forward all documents by commercial courier.

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