•Basic Coverage – similar to provincial/territorial health care, including hospital and physician services;
•Supplemental Coverage – limited vision and limited, urgent dental care, home/ long-term care, services from allied health-care practitioners, medical supplies and equipment; assistive devices such as: orthopedic/ prosthetic equipment, mobility/ hearing aids, diabetic supplies etc.
•Prescription Drug Coverage – similar to coverage provided by provinces and territories to those on social assistance.
The benefits covered by the IFHP have certain limits including maximum dollar amounts. For more detailed information, please consult the IFHP benefit grids: https://provider.medavie.bluecross.ca
IFHP and OHIP are both needed: Sponsored Refugees will access the majority of their care through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), for which they are eligible upon arrival. IFHP provides further health coverage for their first year in Canada so it is important that they have IFHP in addition to OHIP to ensure maximum coverage.
How to Apply:
The IFHP document should be given automatically at the airport as refugee newcomers go through immigration. IFHP comes in the form of a 1 page paper document for each family member. If it is not received at the airport, contact AURA for assistance.
Additional Information (IFHP):
*Previously, there were various coverage categories. In 2016, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) restored IFHP to the levels of coverage that were available before 2012. This applies to all refugees resettled through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program and means that all eligible clients receive the same coverage.
*Dental care is very limited. It is likely to be a cost that sponsor groups support, as there is a serious gap in coverage for adults. Healthy Smiles Ontario provides care to financially eligible residents 17 years of age and younger, and children and eligible adults can be referred to the City of Toronto Dental and Oral Health Services.
*IFHP is administered by Medavie/Blue Cross, and service providers deal directly with them for approval, pre-approval, and billings. Health care providers should be able to tell you what is/ is not covered, and advocate for discretion in certain cases. This depends greatly on the health care provider.
*Beneficiaries cannot pay for services and be reimbursed after, and IFHP does not cover services that public or private health insurance plans cover for their beneficiaries.
*To find a Service Provider, please click this link.
AURA TIPS
1. Ensure that all newcomers understand IFHP coverage is temporary and will end when the 12 month sponsorship period ends.
2. Make sure that doctors/pharmacists know to prescribe/dispense only generic versions of medications, as only generic drugs are covered.
3. Be aware that the regulations for IFHP change quite often. If you have any questions or concerns about IFHP, please contact the staff at AURA.