The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) provides limited, temporary health care coverage to eligible refugees and asylum seekers in Canada who are not yet eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance. Provincial health insurance programs typically have a waiting period — often up to three months — before new residents can enrol; the IFHP bridges that gap for protected persons, Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs), Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs), and eligible refugee claimants. The IFHP covers two tiers of benefits: basic health care (doctor visits, hospital care, and the Immigration Medical Exam) at no cost to the beneficiary; and supplemental benefits (dental, vision, mental health counselling, assistive devices) which, from May 1, 2026, are subject to co-payments. IRCC administers the IFHP through an insurer. This page explains who is eligible, what is covered, the co-payment changes introduced in May 2026, and when IFHP coverage ends.

For current IFHP eligibility, coverage details, and provider information, refer to the IRCC IFHP page and the IFHP coverage summary.

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, s 96–97 — protected persons (Convention refugees and persons needing protection) are eligible for IFHP coverage as part of the federal government's obligations to protected persons
• Interim Federal Health Program Policy — the governing policy document issued by IRCC that defines eligibility, benefit categories, and conditions of coverage — canada.ca/ifhp-policy
• Budget 2025 — announced the introduction of co-payments for IFHP supplemental benefits beginning May 1, 2026; basic health benefits remain fully covered
• IRCC: Interim Federal Health Program — canada.ca/ifhp

Who is eligible for IFHP

IFHP coverage is available to the following groups:

• Refugee claimants (asylum seekers): persons who have made an eligible refugee protection claim in Canada and are awaiting a decision from the Refugee Protection Division (RPD); coverage lasts until the claim is decided and the person becomes eligible for provincial health insurance or otherwise loses eligibility
• Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs): resettled refugees selected abroad and sponsored by the Canadian government; GARs receive IFHP coverage on arrival until they transition to provincial health insurance (typically during the waiting period)
• Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs): resettled refugees sponsored by private sponsors; PSRs also receive IFHP coverage during the gap period before provincial health insurance takes effect
• Protected persons: persons granted refugee protection in Canada (Convention refugees and persons in need of protection) who have not yet obtained provincial health insurance
• Certain other groups: including victims of human trafficking holding a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), persons subject to a Temporary Suspension of Removals (TSR), and certain other categories listed in the IFHP policy

IFHP is not available to: temporary workers, international students, tourists, or other temporary residents who are not in a refugee or protection context.

What IFHP covers — basic benefits (no co-payments)

Basic IFHP benefits are fully covered with no co-payments required:

• Doctor (GP) visits: medically necessary consultations with a general practitioner
• Hospital care: inpatient and emergency hospital treatment that is urgent and essential
• One Immigration Medical Exam (IME): the mandatory medical examination required for permanent residence or protection status applications is covered once under the IFHP
• Diagnostic tests: laboratory tests and imaging ordered as part of medically necessary care

Supplemental IFHP benefits — co-payments from May 1, 2026

Supplemental IFHP benefits — available in addition to basic health care — cover a broader range of health products and services. As announced in Budget 2025 and taking effect on May 1, 2026, IFHP beneficiaries are required to contribute co-payments for supplemental benefits:

• Prescription medications: co-payment of $4 per prescription filled or refilled
• All other supplemental products and services: co-payment of 30% of the cost of eligible supplemental benefits including dental care, vision care, mental health counselling, and assistive devices

Basic health care (doctor visits, hospital, and IME) remains fully covered with no co-payments. Before May 1, 2026, supplemental benefits were also fully covered — the co-payment represents a change introduced in the 2025 federal budget. For current co-payment details and any exemptions, refer to the IRCC IFHP co-payments page.

When IFHP coverage ends

IFHP coverage ends in the following circumstances:

• When the person becomes eligible for and obtains provincial or territorial health insurance — most provinces provide coverage after a waiting period (typically up to 3 months); some provinces (Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba) have eliminated the waiting period for protected persons
• When the person's refugee protection claim is rejected at the final stage and there are no outstanding appeal or review rights — a failed claimant's IFHP coverage ends
• When the person leaves Canada
• When the person otherwise ceases to be eligible under the IFHP policy

How to access IFHP

IRCC administers the IFHP through an insurer that maintains a network of health care providers. IFHP beneficiaries receive a coverage document or card identifying them as IFHP eligible. When seeking medical care, the beneficiary presents this evidence of IFHP coverage to the health care provider, who submits the claim to the IFHP insurer. For current IFHP insurer contact details, provider network information, and how to access care, refer to the IRCC IFHP services page.

The IFHP has been the subject of significant policy change over its history — it was substantially cut in 2012, partially restored following a Federal Court ruling in 2014, and has since been periodically adjusted in scope. The May 2026 co-payment introduction (Budget 2025) represents the most recent significant change, shifting some supplemental benefit costs to beneficiaries. The co-payments apply only to supplemental benefits — basic medical care remains free of charge — which limits the impact on persons with urgent health needs. The three-month provincial waiting period that many provinces impose on new residents is a significant gap in coverage; the IFHP bridges this gap for persons in the refugee system, but the waiting period creates hardship for other newly arrived immigrants who are not IFHP-eligible. Refugee advocacy organisations have historically raised concerns about the health implications of coverage gaps at this critical transition period. For current IFHP eligibility criteria, coverage summaries, and the co-payment schedule effective May 2026, refer to the IRCC IFHP page.