Photo credit: Toronto Star
Starting May 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will introduce co-payment for supplemental health products and services for eligible people covered under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), meaning that refugee claimants will have to pay for some of their health-care coverage.
FCJ Refugee Centre reports that the IFHP provides limited and temporary coverage for urgent and essential health products and services for eligible beneficiaries until they transition to provincial or territorial health care programs.
A copayment is the portion of the cost of supplemental health services and products that an eligible client will pay directly to their IFHP-registered health-care provider. The IFHP pays the remaining amount, meaning the cost of supplemental health benefits is shared between the beneficiary and the Government of Canada.
The decision was confirmed this Tuesday by the Federal Government.
Included are:
X Prescription medicines, beneficiaries will pay $4 per eligible prescription filled and/or refilled.
X All other supplemental health benefits, beneficiaries will pay 30% of t6he cost of eligible services and products. Supplemental coverage covers extended health care like psychologists and counselling therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech language therapists, assistive devices like prosthetics, mobility aids, and hearing aids; home care and long-term care, urgent dental care and limited vision care; and medical supplies and equipment.
The following will still be covered:
X Basic health care benefits, including doctor visits and hospital care.
X Pre-departure medical services an immigration medical examination.
X IFHP co-payments apply to supplemental health services and products received on or after midnight on May 1, 2026. Co-payments do not apply to benefits received before that date and time.
X Before receiving care, IFHP eligible beneficiaries should ask their health care providers how much they will need to pay for supplemental services and products.
X IFHP eligible beneficiaries continue to pay for any costs that exceed the limits reimbursed by the IFHP..
However, advocates have criticized the measure. They pointed out that full access to supplemental care, especially for things such as dental health and trauma counselling, is crucial to this vulnerable population.
In a statement released this Tuesday, the IRCC indicated that introducing co-payments “will help keep supplemental health care accessible for eligible beneficiaries while responsibly managing growing demand.”
