Open ProvincesHealth coverage for refugees and asylum claimants (Interim Federal Health Program)
Who is covered, for how long, and how to find a provider that accepts the IFHP.
The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) is temporary health coverage for refugees and asylum claimants until they qualify for provincial or territorial health insurance. Most people do not apply separately: coverage follows your immigration status and is activated or cancelled automatically.
Who is covered
- Asylum claimants from the time your claim is awaiting a decision, through the Immigration and Refugee Board process, and after a rejection until you leave Canada. Coverage starts once you receive an Acknowledgment of Claim (AOC), Refugee Protection Identity Document (RPID) or Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD).
- Protected persons for 90 days after a positive decision, or until you qualify for provincial or territorial coverage.
- Resettled refugees with basic coverage until you qualify for provincial or territorial insurance.
- Coverage ends if the claim is withdrawn, abandoned or found ineligible.
Using it
- Only providers registered with the IFHP are covered; search with the Medavie Blue Cross tool on the program page.
- Show your eligibility document (AOC, RPCD, RPID or an Interim Federal Health Certificate). If you have none, you may need to apply for an eligibility certificate.
- Basic care is free; prescriptions have a $4 co-payment and supplemental services a 30% co-payment, per the program's coverage summary.
Apply for your provincial health card as soon as you qualify: see our health card page for your province.
Temporary health care coverage (IFHP) ↗ · Who is eligible and for how long ↗
Sources and limits
Read on November 14, 2026 on Canada.ca; the program pages were last updated months earlier. Confirm with IRCC or Medavie Blue Cross.
General information based on federal and national rules; provincial rules may differ. Confirm with the official body before acting. Last reviewed : 2026-11-14.