New co-payments for some refugee health care
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that starting May 1, 2026, the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) will require co-payments for:
- prescription medications, and
- some health services and products.
A co-payment means that the person pays part of the cost and the IFHP pays the rest.
| We're describing the IFHP changes that have been announced so far. The final version of these changes may be different. For the latest updates, refer to the IRCC website. |
The IFHP gives health-care coverage to refugee claimants and others who are eligible, including:
- refugee claimants inside Canada
- people who got a temporary resident permit because they’re survivors of family violence or human trafficking
- people who are in immigration detention
- refugees who were resettled to Canada by the government, who are covered for a certain period
Concerns about the changes
Health-care professionals have raised concerns that the changes to the IFHP could restrict health-care access for vulnerable people. They’re calling on the government to reverse them.
What stays free?
Basic health-care coverage is free for people with IFHP coverage now and after May 1, 2026. This means that there’s no co-payment.
Basic health-care coverage is free and unlimited and includes:
- care in a hospital, including emergency services and treatment, whether the person is admitted or not
- help from medical doctors, registered nurses, and some other licensed health-care professionals
- ambulance services
- medical tests like blood tests and ultrasounds
- care during pregnancy and after birth from a midwife or obstetrician
| Example: If someone with IFHP coverage goes to the emergency department for chest pains, they do not have to pay anything. |
There’s also no co-payment for the first immigration medical examination for some groups, such as refugee claimants.
Co-payment for medications
Starting May 1, 2026, prescription medications will be partially covered by the IFHP. People will pay $4 for each prescription that the IFHP covers.
For example, if someone gets 2 prescriptions, they pay the pharmacy $8. The IFHP pays the rest.
Co-payment for some health services and products
There’s usually a maximum amount that the IFHP will pay for health services and products. And it only covers some services and products.
The services include:
- urgent dental care
- some vision care
- some mental health counselling from a psychologist, registered psychotherapist, or licensed social worker
- occupational therapy
- speech language therapy
- physiotherapy
- home care and long-term care
The medical products include:
- hearing aids
- diabetic supplies
- wheelchairs or walkers
- prosthetics, meaning artificial body parts
- other medical supplies and equipment, for example, oxygen supplies
Starting May 1, 2026, people will pay 30% and the IFHP will pay 70% of these health services and products. But the IFHP will not pay more than the maximum amount it covers for the service or product. This means that the person must pay any remaining amount.
When getting care
People need to make sure their health-care provider is registered to offer services under the IFHP. They can ask the provider or check the government’s list.
Before getting care, people with IFHP coverage should ask their provider:
- Is this service covered by the IFHP?
- Is there a co-payment?
- How much do I need to pay?
And people should keep their receipts for any co-payments they make.
Where to get help with the IFHP
Medavie Blue Cross manages claims for the IFHP. People can call them if they have questions. For example, they can ask if a medication, health service, or product is covered. Or they can ask for help to find a doctor or other provider who accepts the IFHP.
Call 1-888-614-1880. For TTY, call 711.
For questions and help dealing with the IFHP, people can also contact:
Free and lower cost health services
Community Health Centres
Across Ontario, Community Health Centres provide free primary or routine health care and other services to their communities, including people who:
- have a low income,
- are new to Canada,
- have complex mental health needs, or
- have no health insurance.
For example, some Community Health Centres offer free or lower cost dental care or free mental health counselling.
Health 811
Anyone in Ontario can get free non-emergency health advice from a nurse, and referrals to services through Health 811. The phone line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call 811. For TTY, call 711 and ask for 811.
People do not need an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card or IFHP coverage to use this service.
Using the same contact information, people can reach the free Refugee HealthLine, which makes refugee-specific referrals in a variety of languages.
Other services
The Canadian Refugee Health Network has a list of refugee health clinics across Canada.
The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture offers free mental health counselling for refugees and newcomers.
The Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic provides free counselling and interpretation services for women and gender diverse people who have experienced gender-based violence.
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CLEO Connect is hosting a webinar called Changes to the Interim Federal Health Program on May 7 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Speakers will discuss changes to the program, including co-payments. Registration is open.
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CLEO resources
Humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) applications and refugee claims: how are they different?
Family violence when a woman is sponsored by a spouse or partner | 
