Some people in Canada will soon be required to co-pay for health care
The federal government will soon require sponsored refugees and asylum seekers to co-pay for their health-care coverage.
The co-payment plan was first announced in the government’s 2025 budget in November.
On Tuesday, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) shared more details about the changes to Canada’s Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).
The IFHP provides limited and temporary coverage for urgent and essential health care and services to government-sponsored refugees and asylum seekers until they transition to provincial or territorial health care programs.
Starting May 1, 2026, IFHP beneficiaries will need to co-pay $4 for each eligible prescription medication filled or refilled under the IFHP and 30 per cent of the cost of all other eligible supplemental health products and services, including dental care, vision care, counselling, and assistive devices.
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Other supplemental coverage that sponsored refugees or asylum claimants will need to pay out of pocket for includes:
- Psychologists and counselling therapists
- Occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech language therapists
- Assistive devices like prosthetics, mobility aids and hearing aids
- Home care and long-term care
- Urgent dental care and limited vision care
- Medical supplies and equipment
A co-payment is the portion of the cost that refugees or asylum seekers pay directly to their healthcare providers, while the remaining cost is covered by the IFHP.
“Introducing co-payments will help keep supplemental health care accessible for eligible beneficiaries while responsibly managing growing demand,” stated the IRCC. “This change supports the long-term sustainability of the IFHP so it can continue providing essential support to current and future beneficiaries.”
The IRCC noted that basic health-care benefits, including doctor visits and hospital care, will continue to be fully covered under the IFHP, with no co-payments needed.
Ottawa advises refugees and asylum seekers using the IFHP to do the following starting May 1:
- 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
Canada is one of the largest recipients of refugees in the world, setting a record number of claims in 2024, according to a report from the United Nations Refugee Agency last year.