Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) coverage typically ends when the beneficiaries no longer meet the definition of their eligibility groups. In addition, coverage would end when the authorities enforce a beneficiary’s removal from Canada as well.
A third instance where coverage would typically end would take place once a beneficiary becomes eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance. The only exception is for the following:
- Supplemental coverage
- Prescription drug coverage and / or,
- Public Health or Public Safety (PHPS) prescription drug coverage for the following beneficiaries the authorities are re-settling in Canada:
- For re-settled refugees who are or were receiving governmental re-settlement assistance in the form of income support through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) or its equivalent in Quebec, coverage would continue for the duration of their sponsorship up to a maximum of 24 months
- For all other re-settled refugees, the coverage would typically continue for the duration of their sponsorship and,
- For certain people whom the authorities are re-settling in Canada as a result of a public policy or humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) considerations based on the Minister’s own initiative, and who receive income support through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) or its equivalent in Quebec, the coverage would continue for as long as the beneficiary receives income support through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) or its equivalent in Quebec, up to a maximum of 12 months
It is worth highlighting that Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) coverage would cease when an individual’s refugee claim is:
- Withdrawn
- Determined as being abandoned by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) or,
- Re-determined ineligible
In some cases, the authorities might have issued Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs) to victims of human trafficking. This is in accordance with the provisions specified in section 24 (3) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). For these individuals, the coverage would last for the duration of the Temporary Resident Permit (TRP).
Some ineligible refugee claimants might be eligible for applying for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA). For these individuals, the coverage would continue until the authorities render a decision on the individual’s pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA).
Some pregnant women might be eligible for Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) coverage. However, it is worth highlighting that this coverage is valid for the duration of pregnancy, plus an additional two months.