Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The federal government is changing how the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) operates, requiring refugees and asylum seekers to contribute toward the cost of certain supplemental health services.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced Tuesday that beginning May 1, people covered under the program will be required to pay a $4 co-payment for each eligible prescription medication filled or refilled. The federal department says the move is aimed at improving the long-term sustainability of the program as demand and costs continue to rise.
In addition to prescription co-pays, beneficiaries will also be required to cover 30 per cent of the cost of other eligible supplemental health services and products. These include dental and vision care, mental health counselling and assistive devices.
IRCC emphasized that core medical services will remain unchanged. Doctor visits, hospital care and other basic health services will continue to be fully covered under the IFHP, with no co-payments required.
The IFHP provides temporary health coverage to refugees, asylum claimants, protected persons and other vulnerable foreign nationals who are not yet eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance. The program is designed to cover essential and urgent health needs until beneficiaries transition into public health-care systems.
Budget-driven change
The introduction of co-payments was first outlined in the federal government’s 2025 budget. IRCC says modest point-of-service charges are intended to share responsibility while preserving free access to essential medical care.
Under the new rules, beneficiaries will pay co-payments directly to registered health-care providers at the time they receive supplemental services. Refugees and asylum seekers are being advised to confirm payment requirements with providers in advance and to keep receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses.
Those seeking IFHP-approved providers can consult the program’s official online search tool.
Over time, the IFHP has undergone several changes, including a major update in 2016 that restored full basic and supplemental coverage and removed expiry dates for many refugee claimants.
Rising demand and costs
Program usage has increased sharply in recent years. In the 2023–24 fiscal year, nearly 520,000 people received IFHP coverage, with total costs exceeding $590 million.
Demand rose even further in the following fiscal year, with close to 625,000 beneficiaries — including more than 440,000 asylum claimants — receiving coverage. Program spending climbed to just under $900 million, an increase of more than $300 million year over year.
By comparison, about a decade ago, fewer than 100,000 people across Canada relied on the IFHP, highlighting the scale of growth that federal officials say is driving the latest changes.
