Health Services for Newcomers

Your health is important before, during, and between pregnancies. Get advice on the phone or by email about:

• having a healthy pregnancy
• giving birth
• breastfeeding
• child growth and behaviour
• toilet training

If you cannot afford to pay for a dentist, you may be able to receive free dental care.

To find out if you are eligible, call 3-1-1 and ask for a dental appointment.

• children’s nutrition
• shopping for groceries
• community gardens
• cooking programs
• healthy low-cost meals

Free immunizations are available if you don’t have a health card. For more information on immunization and free clinics, call the Immunization Information Centre 416-392-1250, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Every time your child receives a vaccination, you need to report it to Toronto Public Health. Your child may be suspended from school if they have an incomplete record or does not have a valid exemption on file. Toronto Public Health can translate your immunization record for you.

The IFHP provides limited, temporary coverage of health-care benefits for specific groups of people in Canada who don’t have provincial, territorial, or private health-care coverage.

Eligibility

• Resettled refugees
• Protected persons in Canada (Coverage is provided for 90 days from the date the asylum claim is accepted or until becoming eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance)
• Refugee claimants
• Must not be a Canadian citizen
• Certain other groups (find more details here)

 For more specifics and information on eligibility visit the Government of Canada “IFHP: who is eligible” website.

Applying for coverage

Individuals eligible for IFHP can apply for coverage online or on paper here.

The application requires the following documents:

1. Application for IFHP Coverage (IMM 5564)
2. Clear and legible photocopy of one of the documents issued to you by IRCC

If you are applying to extend your coverage, please remember to apply at least 6 weeks before your coverage end date. Additional Information on how to apply for coverage can be found here.

Types of coverage

• Basic
  • In-patient and out-patient hospital services
  • Services from medical doctors, registered nurses and other health-care professionals licensed in Canada, including pre- and post-natal care
  • Laboratory, diagnostic and ambulance services
• Supplemental
  • Limited vision and urgent dental care
  • Home care and long-term care
  • Services from allied health-care practitioners including clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists
  • Certain assistive devices, medical supplies and equipment
• Prescription drugs (some limitations apply)

For the full list of benefits and their cost limits, please refer to the updated benefits grid.

How to get treatment under IFHP

1. Find a health-care provider
   Health care providers must be registered with Medavie Blue Cross, the IFHP claims administrator. Find a health care provider near you.

2. Prove your eligibility
   The following documents can be used to prove your eligibility for IFHP services and products to health care providers:

• • An Acknowledgement of Claim and Notice to Return for Interview letter
  • A Refugee Protection Claimant Document
  • Interim Federal Health Certificate (with your signature under “Signature of Holder” section)

3. Know your rights

After receiving treatment, your health care provider may ask you to sign a form as proof that you received the health service or product. Medavie Blue Cross may also send a letter to you to confirm you have received a health service or product. Please respond to the question, sign the letter and return it to Medavie Blue Cross.

You should not have to pay for any health services or products covered by IFHP. To know what health care products and services are covered please refer to the IFHP coverage grid.

Find out additional information navigating IFHP coverage.

If you are experiencing homelessness

If your address changes after submitting an application please send an email immediately using the IRCC online service- change my address. If you do not have a fixed address please consider applying for IFHP coverage online or asking for help using the IRCC help center.

If you don’t have valid identification, ID clinics such as Partners for Access and Identification (PAID) can help.

If you are ineligible for OHIP or IFHP, Community Health Centers are another option for receiving healthcare services. More information on healthcare services for those who are IFHP and OHIP uninsured and with no private coverage, can be found on the Health Network for Uninsured Clients website.

Being diagnosed with active TB disease does not affect your immigration status or your family’s status in Canada. If you have active TB disease, a TB nurse from Toronto Public Health will work with you and your health care practitioner while you are being treated. TB treatment is free of charge in Ontario even if you do not have health insurance.

• iamsick.ca
• Settlement.org

• Caring for Kids New to Canada 
• Newcomer Child and Family Health Libraries
• Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
• SettlementAtWork.Org
• The Journey to Cultural Competence Film