The BC Refugee Hub has curated information about the Interim Federal Health Program for Refugee Claimants in this online info-page for claimants, advocates, friends and family of claimants and front-line workers.

Current IFHP Provider List – Created by Settlement Orientation Services of ISSofBC

What is the Interim Federal Health Program?

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) covers certain health-care benefits for specific groups of people until they become eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance, such as:

• protected people, including resettled refugees,
• refugee claimants, and
• certain other groups.

The IFHP doesn’t provide services. Instead, the services are provided by health professionals. A company called Medavie Blue Cross manages IFHP claims. They cover the cost of services from IFHP-registered health-care providers (doctors, dentists, hospitals, pharmacies) if you are eligible.

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.

Basic coverage (similar to health-care coverage from provincial or territorial health insurance plans)

• in-patient and out-patient hospital services
• services from medical doctors, registered nurses and other health-care professionals licensed in Canada, including pre- and post-natal care
• laboratory, diagnostic and ambulance services

Supplemental coverage (similar to the coverage given to social assistance recipients by provincial and territorial governments)

• limited vision and urgent dental care
• home care and long-term care
• services from allied health-care practitioners including clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, counselling therapists, occupational therapists, speech language therapists, physiotherapists
• assistive devices, medical supplies and equipment, including:
  • orthopedic and prosthetic equipment
  • mobility aids
  • hearing aids
  • diabetic supplies
  • incontinence supplies
  • oxygen equipment

Prescription drug coverage (similar to the coverage provinces and territories give to social assistance recipients)

• prescription medications and other products listed on provincial/territorial public drug plan formularies

Coverage for the Immigration Medical Exam (IME)

• for most categories of beneficiaries, the IFHP also covers the cost of one IME and IME-related diagnostic tests required under the Immigration Refugee Protection Act

The benefits covered by the IFHP have certain limits including maximum dollar amounts. For more details, please consult the IFHP benefit grids:

• Basic Coverage
• Supplemental Coverage
• IME and IME Tests
• Dental Benefit Grid
• Prescription Drug Coverage

For the following groups of beneficiaries, the IFHP also covers the cost of one Immigration Medical Exam (IME):

• refugee claimants waiting for a decision,
• refugee claimants who are ineligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) and who are eligible to apply for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA),
• victims of human trafficking, and
• detainees.

Length of coverage

• Basic, supplemental and prescription drug coverage continues until the beneficiary leaves Canada or becomes eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance.

• Individuals who have made a refugee claim and are waiting for an eligibility decision are also covered by IFHP.
• Refugee claimants continue to be eligible to the IFHP after their refugee claim is rejected. Ineligible claimants that are or will be eligible for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) are also covered by IFHP.

• IFHP coverage will be cancelled immediately if:
  • the refugee claimant withdraws their claim for refugee protection
  • the IRB determines that a claim for refugee protection has been abandoned
  • the claim for refugee protection is ineligible to be referred to the IRB and the refugee claimant isn’t eligible to apply for a PRRA

Definition of Refugee claimants: a person who makes a claim for refugee protection in Canada. This includes a refugee claimant:

• waiting for a decision on whether their claim is eligible to be referred to the IRB
• whose claim for refugee protection has been referred to the IRB and who is waiting for a final decision from the IRB on their claim
• whose claim for refugee protection has been rejected by the IRB
• whose claim for refugee protection is ineligible to be referred to the IRB but who is eligible to apply for a pre-removal risk assessment(PRRA)
• who gets a positive decision on a PRRA and receives a stay of removal

Which documents prove eligibility for the Interim Federal Health Program?

Any of these documents will prove eligibility for the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP):

• An Acknowledgement of Claim and Notice to Return for Interview Letter—claimant receives this letter after they make a refugee claim and are scheduled for an interview.
• A Refugee Protection Claimant Document—claimant receives this document after their interview, and they will either be:
  • referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), or
  • not eligible, so will be eligible to apply for a pre-removal risk assessment

An officer from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or the Canada Border Services Agency will provide the IFHP eligibility document.

When does the Interim Federal Health Program coverage start and when does it end?

Start date:

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) coverage starts on the date the person’s eligibility document is issued.

End date:

If you made a refugee claim from within Canada

You are eligible for coverage until:

• you withdraw your refugee claim, or
• the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) finds you abandoned your refugee claim, or
• your refugee claim isn’t eligible and you can’t apply for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA), or
• you leave Canada.

Your IFHP coverage will automatically expire 90 days from the decision dateif:

• the IRB finds you to be a Convention refugee, or
• you get a positive decision on your PRRA application.

During this time, you must contact the province or territory you live in to find out when you can apply for health coverage. In some provinces, you can apply as soon as you get a positive decision. In these cases, you should apply right away.

How does a person get health-care services or treatment through the Interim Federal Health Program?

Follow these steps:

1. Find a health-care providerwho is registered with Medavie Blue Cross.
   1. Medavie Blue Cross is the company that manages Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) claims.
   2. If your health-care provider isn’t registered with Medavie Blue Cross, they can easily register.
2. Show your IFHP eligibility document to your health-care provider before they treat you.
3. After you are treated, your health-care provider may give you a claim form. You must sign this form to prove you were given the health service or product.

Note:

• Before using any services, ask if the provider takes part in the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) and agrees to send their bill to Medavie Blue Cross.
• You don’t have to accept services from health-care providers who don’t take part in the IFHP. For example, if a pharmacy asks you to pay for medication, you can find another pharmacy that is registered with the IFHP.
• If you go to a pharmacy that is not located in your province of residence (e.g. if you live in Ontario and request a prescription medication in Quebec), your claim may be rejected.
• If you are eligible for coverage for the service or product under the IFHP, you won’t have to pay for it.
• If you pay a provider for a service or product that is covered by the IFHP, you won’t get any money back.
• If you need a health-care service or product that isn’t covered you will have to pay for it.

I need help with my mental health. Does the Interim Federal Health Program cover it?

When refugee claimants receive the RCPD, they also have access to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), as the RCPD serves as health card. Note that all refugee claimants need to do a medical examination by an IRCC accredited medical provider within 30 days after the RPCD is issued.

Only Panel Physicians approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada can do the medical exam – Find a Panel Physician.

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