On January 27, 2026, IRCC announced important changes to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) that will affect many refugees and other eligible beneficiaries in Canada. As promised in Budget 2025, the government is introducing co‑payments on certain supplemental health products and services, while keeping basic doctor visits and hospital care free under the IFHP.
What is changing under IFHP in 2026
As of May 1, 2026, IFHP beneficiaries will need to pay a small portion of the cost for most supplemental benefits.
- 4 dollars per 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, assistive devices and other listed benefits.
These amounts must be paid directly to the IFHP‑registered health care provider at the time of service, and the remaining cost will be billed to IFHP (through Medavie Blue Cross) according to the program’s benefit grids.
What is NOT changing
Basic health care under the IFHP remains fully covered and will not require co‑payments.
- Doctor and clinic visits that fall under basic benefits.
- Hospital care for urgent and essential medical needs.
IRCC emphasizes that these changes are designed to protect the long‑term sustainability of the program while keeping essential services accessible to current and future beneficiaries.
Practical tips for IFHP beneficiaries
Starting May 1, 2026, IRCC is encouraging IFHP beneficiaries to take a few practical steps when seeking care.
- Use the IFHP Provider Search tool to find health care providers registered under IFHP before booking an appointment.
- Ask the provider in advance whether a co‑payment applies and exactly how much you will need to pay for the service or product.
- Be prepared to pay your share (4 dollars per eligible prescription, or 30% for other supplemental services) at the time of your appointment.
- Keep all receipts for any co‑payments you make, in case they are needed for support services or personal records.
An official IFHP co‑payments information toolkit is now available with FAQs, examples and multilingual resources for beneficiaries, community partners and service providers. For full details on what is covered, co‑payment rules, and billing processes, readers can consult the Interim Federal Health Program pages on Canada.ca and Medavie Blue Cross.
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