Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) Introduces Co-Payments Starting May 1, 2026

The Government of Canada has announced an important change to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) that will affect both healthcare providers and eligible beneficiaries. Beginning May 1, 2026, co-payments will be introduced for certain supplemental health services provided under the IFHP.

Clinics and healthcare providers who treat IFHP patients should be aware of these changes and prepare their administrative and billing processes accordingly.

What is the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)?

The IFHP provides temporary health coverage to individuals who are not yet eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance when they arrive in Canada.

This includes:

• Resettled refugees and protected persons
• Asylum claimants
• Victims of human trafficking or family violence
• Foreign nationals detained by the Canada Border Services Agency
• Certain humanitarian cases

These individuals are referred to as IFHP beneficiaries and receive limited health coverage until they qualify for provincial programs such as OHIP.

What is Changing?

Effective May 1, 2026, IFHP beneficiaries will be required to pay a portion of the cost for supplemental health benefits received in Canada.

These payments are referred to as co-payments.

New Co-Payment Structure

Beginning May 1, 2026:

• $4 co-payment per prescription medication (each fill or refill)
• 30% co-payment for all other eligible supplemental health services and products

The remaining portion of the cost will continue to be covered by the IFHP program.

Services That Will Require Co-Payments

Co-payments will apply to supplemental health benefits, which may include:

• Prescription medications
• Urgent dental care
• Vision care
• Mental health counselling
• Assistive devices
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Prostheses and orthoses
• Certain medical supplies and aids
• Residential care services

Coverage details remain defined under the IFHP Supplemental Coverage, Prescription Drug, and Dental Benefit Grids.

Services That Will Remain Fully Covered

Co-payments will not apply to IFHP basic health coverage, which will remain fully covered.

These include:

• Physician visits
• Hospital services
• Immigration Medical Examinations
• Pre-Departure Medical Services outside Canada

Eligible beneficiaries will continue to receive these services at no cost.

Implementation Date

The co-payment policy will take effect at 12:01 AM on May 1, 2026, across all Canadian time zones. The policy will apply to any eligible supplemental health services provided after that date and time.

What Healthcare Providers Should Expect

Clinics that see IFHP patients should prepare for:

• Collecting co-payments directly from patients
• Updating front desk and billing procedures
• Training staff to explain the new policy to beneficiaries
• Monitoring upcoming guidance regarding prior approvals and special authorization requests

Additional operational details are expected to be released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) prior to the implementation date.

Final Thoughts

While the IFHP continues to provide essential healthcare coverage for vulnerable populations, the introduction of co-payments represents a shift in how supplemental services will be funded.

Healthcare providers should ensure that their administrative teams understand the changes in order to maintain compliance and avoid billing confusion when the policy takes effect.

If your clinic requires assistance with billing processes, clinic administration, or healthcare operations, MedPros provides support services to help medical practices operate efficiently while staying compliant with evolving healthcare policies.