Federal government will require co-payments for some refugee health services starting May 2026
Starting May 1, 2026, sponsored refugees and asylum seekers on the Interim Federal Health Program will pay $4 per prescription and 30% for many supplemental services.
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By Torontoer Staff
The federal government will require some sponsored refugees and asylum seekers to share the cost of certain health-care services under the Interim Federal Health Program, beginning May 1, 2026.
The change, announced in the 2025 budget and detailed this week by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, introduces modest co-payments for prescription drugs and a portion of supplemental health-care costs while leaving core hospital and physician services fully covered.
What changes and who is affected
Under the revised IFHP rules, beneficiaries will pay a flat co-payment for prescriptions and a percentage of the cost for many supplemental services. The policy applies to government-sponsored refugees and asylum claimants receiving temporary IFHP coverage before they move to provincial or territorial health plans.
- Beginning May 1, 2026, beneficiaries will pay $4 for each eligible prescription medication filled or refilled under the IFHP.
- Beneficiaries will pay 30 per cent of the cost of eligible supplemental health products and services, including dental, vision, counselling, and assistive devices.
Which services will require co-payments
The 30 per cent co-payment applies to a range of supplemental services that are not part of core physician or hospital coverage. Examples listed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada include:
- Psychologists and counselling therapists
- Occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech-language therapists
- Assistive devices such as prosthetics, mobility aids and hearing aids
- Home care and long-term care
- Urgent dental care and limited vision care
- Medical supplies and equipment
What remains fully covered
IRCC says basic health-care benefits, including doctor visits and hospital care, will continue to be fully covered under the IFHP with no co-payment required. The intention is to preserve access to urgent and essential services while adjusting supplemental coverage.
Introducing co-payments will help keep supplemental health care accessible for eligible beneficiaries while responsibly managing growing demand. This change supports the long-term sustainability of the IFHP so it can continue providing essential support to current and future beneficiaries.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Practical steps for IFHP users
IRCC advises beneficiaries to confirm coverage and costs before receiving care and to keep receipts for any co-payments. The department offers an online provider search tool for locating registered IFHP practitioners.
- Use the IFHP Provider Search tool to find registered health-care providers.
- Ask your health-care provider whether a co-payment applies before treatment or filling a prescription.
- Confirm the exact amount you will be asked to pay.
- Keep receipts for any co-payments for record-keeping and potential follow-up.
Context and likely impacts
The IFHP offers limited, temporary coverage for urgent and essential care until beneficiaries qualify for provincial or territorial health plans. Ottawa says the new co-payments are intended to help manage growing demand on the supplemental elements of the program.
Advocates have previously warned that even modest charges can create barriers to care, particularly for mental-health services, dental treatment and assistive devices. The $4 prescription fee is small by itself, but a 30 per cent share of costly devices or multiple therapy sessions could be significant for people on limited incomes.
Canada remained one of the largest recipients of refugees globally, recording a high number of claims in 2024, according to a United Nations Refugee Agency report.
Next steps and monitoring
The policy takes effect May 1, 2026. Service providers and advocacy groups will likely monitor whether the new co-payments affect uptake of supplemental services and whether additional adjustments are needed to protect access for vulnerably housed or low-income beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries with questions should contact IRCC or a local settlement agency for guidance on coverage, and keep documentation of any fees paid while accessing care.
IFHPrefugeeshealth-careIRCCpolicy
