Toolkit: IFHP & MSP for Refugee Claimants
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Introduction
This guide provides an overview of healthcare coverage for refugee claimants in British Columbia, with a focus on how the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) and BC’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) work individually and together. It is designed to support refugee claimants, frontline workers, and service providers in understanding eligibility, coverage, required documents, and common challenges when accessing care. The sections below walk through key stages, from initial IFHP eligibility to MSP enrolment, newborn coverage, troubleshooting, and available supports.
The information in this toolkit is current as of December 8, 2025.
The BC Refugee Hub has developed this Toolkit in partnership with MAP-BC as part of the BC Safe Haven Resource Network, led by AMSSA, funded by the Province of British Columbia.
PART 1: Health Coverage Programs & Eligibility
1. Who qualifies for the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)?
The Government of Canada website describes who is covered under the Interim Federal health program (IFHP) and the duration of coverage. For refugee claimants, coverage will start once a complete claim is confirmed and the individual receives an Acknowledgment of Claim (AOC) or Refugee Protection Identity Document (RPID).
Source: Temporary health care coverage: Who is eligible and for how long – Canada.ca
2. Does IFHP apply to refugee claimants in British Columbia?
Yes. IFHP is a federal program that applies to eligible beneficiaries across Canada, including BC.
Source: Temporary health care coverage: Who is eligible and for how long – Canada.ca
3. How long does IFHP coverage last for refugee claimants?
If you are a refugee claimant, your coverage will start once you receive an Acknowledgment of Claim (AOC) or Refugee Protection Identity Document (RPID).
You’ll remain eligible for IFHP coverage until:
- you qualify for health insurance from your province or territory, or
- you leave Canada
You’ll lose your IFHP coverage if you:
- withdraw or abandon your claim
- aren’t eligible to be referred to the IRB and aren’t eligible to apply for a PRRA
Source: Temporary health care coverage: Who is eligible and for how long – Canada.ca
4. Can IFHP be used at the same time as MSP?
The IFHP provides temporary health coverage for eligible individuals until they qualify for provincial or territorial health insurance like MSP. Once eligible for provincial healthcare coverage, individuals in BC are required to enrol in MSP. The IFHP is a payer of last resort and will not cover the cost of a claim if it can be submitted under another health insurance plan or program for which the individual is eligible.
For detailed information on IFHP coverage, refer to: Temporary health care coverage: What is covered – Canada.ca
5. What documents are needed to show IFHP eligibility?
To get health care covered by the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), you need to have 1 of these documents to prove you’re eligible:
- Acknowledgment of Claim (AOC) and Notice to Return for Interview Letter (AoC)
- Refugee Protection Identity Document (RPID) or Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD)
- Interim Federal Health Certificate (with or without photo)
You may need to apply for an IFHP eligibility certificate (IFHC) if
- you think you’re eligible but don’t have any of the documents above
- your refugee claim was rejected and your RPID or RPCD has expired or has been lost, stolen or destroyed
- you need to restart or extend your coverage
Source: Temporary health care coverage: How to get medical treatment – Canada.ca
1. What medical services are covered under IFHP for refugee claimants?
IFHP covers a wide range of basic health services for refugee claimants, including:
- Doctor visits and hospital services (inpatient and outpatient)
- Laboratory, diagnostic, and ambulance services
- Services from nurses and allied health professionals
This coverage is similar to what Canadians receive under provincial health plans.
Source: Government of Canada – IFHP Coverage Summary and IFHP Benefit Grids: Benefit Grids – IFHP
2. Are dental, vision, and other “supplemental” services covered?
Yes. IFHP supplemental coverage includes:
- Urgent or emergency dental care
- Limited vision care (e.g., eye exams for children or when medically necessary)
- Some allied health therapies (like physiotherapy or mental health counselling)
- Assistive devices described in the supplemental benefit grid
Source: Government of Canada – IFHP Coverage Summary
3. Does IFHP cover prescription medications?
Yes. IFHP covers prescription medications (prescribed by a medical professional) listed on the federal or provincial drug formularies.
Source: Temporary health care coverage: What is covered – Canada.ca
1. Are refugee claimants eligible for BC’s Medical Services Plan (MSP)?
To be eligible for medical coverage under MSP, a person must be a resident of BC. The Medicare Protection Actdefines a resident as a person who:
- is a citizen of Canada or is lawfully admitted to Canada for permanent residence,
- makes the person’s home in BC, and
- is physically present in BC for
- at least six months in a calendar year, or
- a shorter prescribed period,
and includes a person who is deemed under the regulations to be a resident but does not include a tourist or visitor to BC.
Refugee claimants admitted to Canada under the provisions of a work or study permit valid for six months or longer may be eligible for MSP enrolment as a deemed resident.
An accompanying spouse and child(ren) of eligible work and study permits may be deemed eligible for MSP if they hold a valid visitor permit issued for six months or more.
2. What documents are needed to apply for MSP?
In addition to submitting a BC Application for Health and Drug Coverage, Claimants applying for MSP need to provide:
- A valid work or study permit issued for six or more months.
- Accompanying spouses and children of eligible work and study permits must provide a valid visitor permit, issued for six or more months.
Source: Government of BC MSP Eligibility page
3. Is there a waiting period before MSP coverage begins?
Yes, MSP coverage begins after a waiting period of up to three months. This includes the balance of the month in which residency is established (permit start date), plus two full calendar months.
Where an individual has resided in BC for a period longer than the wait period and incurred medical claims prior to the effective date of their coverage and wants to be reimbursed the individual may request their coverage effective date be backdated to an earlier coverage date.
MSP eligibility would be based on the date they established residence in BC and provided their wait period has been completed.
Source: BC Government – MSP Wait Period
4. Do refugee claimants need to apply for MSP separately from IFHP?
Yes. IFHP and MSP are separate programs. Refugee claimants must apply for MSP if they are eligible (for example, they are issued a valid work or study permit). IFHP provides temporary coverage until MSP becomes active.
Source:
1. What does it mean that IFHP is a “payer of last resort”?
It means IFHP only applies when no other health insurance plans or other payment options exist. If a claimant is eligible under IFHP and MSP, any eligible services must first be billed to MSP.
Source: Government of Canada Help Centre – “IFHP is a last resort…”, IFHP Refugee & Claimants
2. What happens to IFHP coverage after MSP begins?
Individuals in BC must enrol in MSP once eligible (for example, once they have a work permit or have received protected person status). Note – The IFHP is a payer of last resort and will not cover the cost of a claim if it can be submitted under another health insurance plan or program for which the individual is eligible.
Source: Government of Canada Help Centre – “IFHP is a last resort…”, IFHP Refugee & Claimants
3. If MSP ends before a claim is finalized, does IFHP reactivate?
If MSP coverage ends (e.g., due to an expired work permit), the claimant may use their IFHP coverage, provided they are still eligible—meaning their refugee claim is still active and they have not been removed from Canada or become ineligible under IRCC’s IFHP policy.
1. Are newborns of refugee claimants covered under IFHP?
Infants born in Canada to refugee claimants are not eligible for IFHP as they are Canadian Citizens and are out of scope as per the IFHP Policy.
Source: Interim Federal Health Program Policy – Canada.ca
2. How can a refugee claimant add their newborn to IFHP coverage?
Newborns born in Canada to refugee claimants are Canadian citizens and therefore not eligible for coverage under the IFHP.
The IFHP is designed to provide temporary health coverage to certain foreign nationals, and does not apply to Canadian citizens, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
Source: Interim Federal Health Program Policy – Canada.ca
3. Are newborns of refugee claimants eligible for MSP?
Babies born in BC to refugee claimants with IFHP coverage may be eligible for MSP coverage, regardless of the parent’s own eligibility for MSP. Coverage begins on the date of birth.
4. How can a refugee claimant enrol their newborn in MSP?
To enrol a child born to a refugee claimant with IFHP coverage, parents must submit a BC Application for Health and Drug Coverage paper form on the child’s behalf using only the child’s personal information as the applicant. The application may be found online at www.gov.bc.ca/AHDC and must include:
- Signature of the parent(s);
- A copy of the child’s birth certificate;
- A copy of the parent’s immigration document (one of the IFHP documents listed above must be submitted for date of birth coverage to be provided); and,
- Parent or guardian contact information on a separate piece of paper.
Health Insurance BC (HIBC) requires parental or guardianship information in order to communicate regarding minor account holders.
Source: Children born in B.C. to refugee claimants – Province of British Columbia
PART 2: Using Health Coverage & Accessing Care
1. What documents are needed to confirm eligibility for IFHP?
To get health care covered by the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), you need to have 1 of these documents to prove you’re eligible:
- Acknowledgment of Claim (AOC) and Notice to Return for Interview Letter (AoC)
- Refugee Protection Identity Document (RPID) or Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD)
- Interim Federal Health Certificate (with or without photo)
You may need to apply for an IFHP eligibility certificate (IFHC) if
- you think you’re eligible but don’t have any of the documents above
- your refugee claim was rejected and your RPID or RPCD has expired or has been lost, stolen or destroyed
- you need to restart or extend your coverage
Source: Temporary health care coverage: How to get medical treatment – Canada.ca
2. What documents are required to apply for MSP as a refugee claimant?
Refugee claimants must submit:
- A valid work or study permit (six months or longer)
- A completed BC Application for Health and Drug Coverage
Source: www.gov.bc.ca/AHDC
3. What if the refugee claimant hasn’t received their RPCD yet?
The refugee claimant may need to apply for an IFHP eligibility certificate (IFHC) if
- They think they are eligible but don’t have any eligibility document
- Their refugee claim was rejected and their RPID or RPCD has expired or has been lost, stolen or destroyed
- They need to restart or extend their coverage
Source: Temporary health care coverage: How to get medical treatment – Canada.ca
4. Can expired documents still be used to access care?
IFHP:
In most cases, no. Expired refugee protection claimant documents are no longer valid since April 1, 2025
Expired documents (e.g., expired RPCDs or permits) may prevent clients from accessing services unless a renewal is in process and eligibility can be re-confirmed. It’s important for claimants to renew documents as early as possible and inform service providers of their updated status.
MSP:
The end date of a work or study permit holder’s MSP coverage will normally be determined by the expiry date of their permit. If the individual does not provide a subsequent work or study permit their MSP coverage would be cancelled, unless they are eligible for temporary coverage as a maintained status holder.
Work or study permit holders who have applied for renewal of their permit before the expiry of their existing permits are referred to as holding maintained status while their application is in process.
Eligible individuals residing in BC with maintained status while waiting for a subsequent work or study permit may be eligible for an initial six months of temporary MSP coverage, with additional temporary coverage provided if applicable.
Temporary MSP coverage will be provided to maintained status holders who:
- Remain in BC on maintained status while waiting for a subsequent work or study permit;
- Were previously enrolled with MSP;
- Demonstrate they hold maintained status by providing Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) receipts showing they applied for their new permit before the expiration of their original permit (or documentation from IRCC if a receipt is not available);
-
If the temporary coverage is requested four weeks or longer after the expiration of their original permit, the individual will also need to provide documentation from IRCC demonstrating their application is still active. This may be from the IRCC website or documentation from IRCC.
- A copy of the IRCC Application Status webpage (www.cic.gc.ca) showing the current status of their temporary permit application; or
- The most recent correspondence received by IRCC regarding their temporary permit application status.
Source:
Expired refugee protection claimant documents will no longer be valid
Updating or Confirming Status in Canada – Province of British Columbia
1. How can refugee claimants find healthcare providers who accept IFHP?
Claimants can:
- Use the IFHP Provider Search Tool (Interim Federal Health Program – Providers Search – IFHP) to find clinics and doctors registered with the program
- Ask local clinics if they accept IFHP
- Contact settlement organizations who often maintain up-to-date lists of supportive providers
Source: IRCC – IFHP Provider Search
2. What should a claimant bring to a medical appointment?
It depends on the type of coverage:
-
IFHP – one of the following:
- Acknowledgment of Claim (AOC) and Notice to Return for Interview Letter (AoC)
- Refugee Protection Identity Document (RPID) or Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD)
- Interim Federal Health Certificate (with or without photo)
- If unsure, bring any immigration documents and ask the provider to verify coverage.
- MSP: Bring your BC Services Card or your Personal Health Number and photo identification.
Source: Temporary health care coverage: How to get medical treatment – Canada.ca
3. What if a provider refuses to accept IFHP?
If a provider refuses IFHP:
- Politely ask if they are registered with the program or would be willing to register (some may not be aware)
- Contact a settlement worker for help finding an alternate clinic
-
Report issues to Medavie Blue Cross if a registered provider refuses covered services.
-
Telephone: 1-888-614-1880 (in Canada only)
- TTY: 1-800-855-0511 (Voice to TTY)
-
711 (TTY to Voice)
- 1-800-855-1155 (TTY to TTY)
-
Telephone: 1-888-614-1880 (in Canada only)
Source: Medavie Blue Cross Contact Centre – Help Centre – IFHP
4. Can claimants get interpretation or language support at appointments?
Yes. Many public healthcare providers in BC offer free interpretation services when needed. For instance, Vancouver Coastal Health provides:
- Access to interpreters in over 200 languages
- Services available at no cost to patients or families
- Available via in-person, phone, or video at hospitals and some clinics
Source: Vancouver Coastal Health – Spoken language interpreters, Service BC
5. What if someone needs urgent or emergency care without documents?
In life-threatening situations, emergency care will be provided regardless of coverage or immigration status.
For IFHP clients:
- Hospitals can bill IFHP directly if the person is eligible
- If identity or coverage cannot be confirmed at the time, charges may occur. These cases should be flagged right away to the Program.
It’s important to keep a copy of your AoC/RPCD/RPID or IFH Certificate on hand.
Source: Health and Safety, Enhanced Urgent Care Coverage Program
1. What should a refugee claimant do if they are charged for an IFHP-covered service?
First, they should confirm that:
- The service was actually covered under IFHP
- The provider is registered with the program
Then, they can:
- Request a refund or corrected billing from the provider
- Contact IFHP Claims Administration (via Medavie Blue Cross) for clarification or guidance
Tip: Always keep copies of receipts, claim documents, and correspondence.
2. What can delay MSP or IFHP enrollment?
Delays may happen due to:
- Missing or incomplete application for refugee claimants (IFHP)
- Not meeting eligibility or incomplete application for MSP (e.g., no valid work or study permit)
- Application errors or backlogs at processing centers
Clients should check application status early and seek help from community organizations if needed.
Source: Eligibility and Enrolment – Province of British Columbia
3. What if a refugee claimant loses MSP coverage after getting it?
If a refugee claimant fails to meet residency requirements and/or their work or study permit expires without being renewed before the expiration date, they may lose their MSP coverage.
If MSP coverage ends, they may still use their IFHP as long as their refugee claim remains active and they have not left Canada or lost eligibility due to a change in immigration status.
- If their refugee claim is still active, they may re-qualify for IFHP.
- They should apply to re-activate IFHP immediately and inform any healthcare providers.
To avoid gaps in coverage, it is important to keep all immigration and coverage documents up to date and renew permits early.
Source: Temporary health care coverage – Canada.ca
4. What if a service provider gives incorrect information about coverage?
Unfortunately, some providers may be unaware or misinformed about IFHP, which can result in delays, refusals, or incorrect billing. If this happens, claimants should:
- Report issues to a settlement agency, support worker, or directly to the claims administrator (Medavie Blue Cross) for guidance and resolution.
- Politely explain their eligibility and provide supporting documents (AOC, RPCD, UCI, BC Services Card, etc.).
- Request the provider to clarify coverage using the official IFHP provider portal or administrator
PART 3: Additional Supports & References
1. Where can I find healthcare providers who accept IFHP?
Use the official IFHP Provider Search Tool to find doctors, clinics, and hospitals enrolled in the program:
2. Where can I apply for or check my MSP coverage?
Visit the BC government’s MSP enrollment page for eligibility, application forms, and coverage info:
Health Insurance BC (HIBC)
Customer service representatives are available Monday to Friday
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
An automated service is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide general information about MSP benefits and services.
HIBC provides interpreter services in over 140 languages.
3. Who do I contact for IFHP billing or eligibility issues?
Use the official IFHP page for:
- Coverage questions
- Claims issues
- Contacting Medavie Blue Cross (claims administrator)
- IRCC – Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
4. What if I need help understanding or applying for coverage?
Refugee claimants can get free support from:
- Settlement agencies
- Legal clinics and community health centers
- Health Navigators in refugee-focused programs
- Many organizations offer interpretation and assistance with forms, applications, and service access.
5. Where can I read more about my health rights as a refugee claimant?
Acknowledgment of Claim (AOC) Letter
A document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirming that a refugee protection claim has been received and is being processed. This document is often used to confirm eligibility for IFHP.
BC Services Card
The BC Services Card provides access to government services for BC residents, including access to health services.
IFHP (Interim Federal Health Program)
A temporary health insurance program funded by the federal government for certain groups, including refugee claimants. It covers medical services, prescriptions, and emergency care while claimants wait for MSP or other provincial coverage.
Medavie Blue Cross
The third-party organization contracted by the federal government to administer IFHP. Healthcare providers bill Medavie directly for eligible services.
Medical Services Plan (MSP)
MSP is BC’s insurance program that pays for required medical services. These include medically necessary services provided by physicians and midwives, dental and oral surgery performed in a hospital, eye examinations if medically required and some orthodontic services. In addition, MSP pays for diagnostic services including x-rays.
Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD)
An official ID document issued to refugee claimants. It confirms their legal status in Canada and often includes a photo and unique client identifier (UCI). It is used to confirm IFHP eligibility. This document has now been replaced by the refugee protection identity document (RPID).
Refugee Protection Identity Document (RPID)
The Refugee Protection Identity Document (RPID), formerly known as the Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD), is an official document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It confirms that a person has made a refugee (asylum) claim in Canada and indicates whether they are eligible for health coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). An RPID is typically issued once a claim has been found eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). In some cases, it may also be issued if someone is not eligible to make a refugee claim but can apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). The RPID can sometimes be used as proof of identity when applying for certain provincial benefits.
IFHP Supplemental Coverage
Under IFHP, this refers to services not always covered by MSP, such as prescription drugs, urgent dental care, vision care, mental health counselling, and medical devices (like crutches or hearing aids).
UCI (Unique Client Identifier)
A personal identification number assigned by IRCC to each immigration client. It’s used to track applications and verify coverage eligibility.
Work/Study Permit
A legal document issued by IRCC that allows a foreign national to legally work or study in Canada. A work or study permit of six months or longer is typically required to qualify for MSP in BC.