[calgarygeologist]

The federal government has approved changes to the Interim Federal Health Program which will see co-payments introduced for refugees and immigrants who receive healthcare coverage under the program.

What is changing
As of May 1, 2026, IFHP beneficiaries will be responsible for the following co-payments:
-$4 for each eligible prescription medication filled or refilled under the IFHP
-30% of the cost of all other eligible supplemental health products and services, including dental care, vision care, counselling and assistive devices

Beneficiaries covered by the IFHP will be asked to pay these amounts directly to their health care providers when they receive IFHP-eligible supplemental products or services. Basic health care benefits, including doctor visits and hospital care, will remain fully covered under the IFHP, with no co-payments required.

Starting May 1, 2026, we encourage IFHP beneficiaries to
-continue to choose a health care provider registered under the IFHP using the IFHP Provider Search tool
-ask their health care provider whether a co-payment will apply before receiving care
-confirm how much they will need to pay
-keep receipts for any co-payments made

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...nges-ifhp.html

Advocates say full access to supplemental care, especially for things such as dental health and trauma counselling, is crucial to this vulnerable population in their initial settlement in the country, when they lack financial resources and struggle to find jobs.

“Four dollars doesn’t sound like a lot, but we have many patients who are on four or five, six medications because they’re diabetic and hypertensive,” said Dr. Meb Rashid, medical director at The Crossroads Clinic in Toronto, which provides comprehensive medical services to refugees.

“All of a sudden, it adds up. When refugees arrive, you want to settle their health down, so they can enter the workforce, be productive and thrive. This will be an ill-advised impediment to that.”

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/...95d13b4d0.html