Interim Federal Health Program for Refugees
Only government-assisted refugees are entitled to full IFH coverage. Other refugees and refugee claimants are only eligible for limited coverage, primarily for the care of an urgent or essential nature stemming from a condition which is a risk to public health, or, in the case of a refugee claimant, in order to undergo an immigration medical examination.
The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) is managed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). This program is designed for certain groups of refugees and refugee claimants in Canada who are unable to pay for necessary health care services. Refugees and refugee claimants who are eligible for the IFHP may have some partial coverage for health services that are not covered by MCP, for up to 12 months after their arrival in Canada.
The IFHP provides coverage for things like:
- Emergency dental care
- Eye exam and glasses
- Some prescribed medications
- Contraception (birth control)
- Immunization
- Immigration medical exam
If you are an eligible refugee or refugee claimant, you should get your IFHP document as soon as you arrive in NL. Ask your settlement worker to assist you with this process.
Take your IFHP document, Permanent Resident Card, and NL MCP Card any time you use health services in NL. Sometimes prior approval is needed before the IFHP will pay for the medical services not covered by the MCP Card. You should consult with your settlement worker before using those services. The IFHP will not pay your money back to you if you have already paid for medical services or prescription medications.
Only government-assisted refugees are entitled to full IFH coverage. Other refugees and refugee claimants are only eligible for limited coverage, primarily for the care of an urgent or essential nature stemming from a condition which is a risk to public health, or, in the case of a refugee claimant, in order to undergo an immigration medical examination.
Related Resources
- Refugees: Health Care
- IFHP: Summary of Benefits
- Application and Guide for IFHP Coverage
- IFHP Provider Portal (Medavie Blue Cross)