Refugees to pay co-payments for prescriptions and supplemental care starting May 1
Starting May 1, refugees and asylum claimants covered by the Interim Federal Health Program will pay $4 per prescription and 30% of other supplemental health costs.
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By Torontoer Staff
Starting May 1, refugees and asylum claimants who receive health coverage through the federal Interim Federal Health Program will be required to make co-payments for some services and products. The changes, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, set a flat $4 fee per prescription and require beneficiaries to cover 30 percent of the cost of other supplemental care.
Doctor appointments and hospital care will remain fully covered under the IFHP. The program provides limited coverage for urgent and essential health services until new arrivals are enrolled in provincial or territorial health plans.
Who is affected
The changes apply to asylum claimants and their eligible beneficiaries who are receiving temporary health coverage under the IFHP. That includes people awaiting decision on their claims and those not yet eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance.
What the co-payments cover
Under the new rules, prescriptions covered by the IFHP will carry a $4 co-payment per prescription. All other supplemental products and services covered by the program will require a 30 percent patient contribution. Examples listed by the federal government include dental care, vision care, counselling and assistive devices.
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
How payments will work
Beneficiaries covered by the IFHP will be asked to pay co-payments directly to their health-care providers at the time they receive eligible supplemental products or services. The government says receipts should be kept for any co-payments made.
- Ask whether a co-payment applies before receiving care.
- Confirm the exact amount you will need to pay.
- Pay the provider directly when required and keep the receipt.
Why the federal government made the change
The change to the IFHP was included in last year’s federal budget. The government framed the move as a measure to manage rising demand for supplemental services and to maintain the program’s capacity to support current and future beneficiaries.
The IFHP remains a short-term program that fills gaps before people obtain provincial or territorial health coverage. Federal officials say the co-payments will allow the program to continue offering essential supports to those who rely on it.
Practical considerations for beneficiaries and providers
Health-care providers who serve IFHP beneficiaries will need to collect co-payments where applicable and provide receipts. Beneficiaries should check eligibility status and confirm coverage details with both IRCC and their care provider before appointments or treatment.
Provincial and territorial coverage varies, and beneficiaries who transition to local health plans will no longer rely on the IFHP for services. People newly arriving in Canada should track when their provincial coverage begins to avoid overlapping costs.
What to do next
Beneficiaries expecting to use IFHP services on or after May 1 are advised to confirm whether a co-payment will apply and how much they must pay. Keep receipts for any payments and contact IRCC for questions about eligibility or coverage scope.
Community organisations and legal clinics that assist newcomers can provide guidance on navigating the transition from federal to provincial health coverage and on understanding which services remain fully covered.
The change takes effect May 1. Refugees and asylum claimants should plan accordingly and speak with their health-care provider before receiving IFHP-eligible supplemental products or services.
RefugeesHealthIFHPImmigrationPolicy
