The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) provides temporary health care coverage for refugees and other eligible individuals in Canada who are not yet enrolled in a provincial health insurance plan. This updated guide explains who qualifies for IFHP, what dental services are covered in 2026, recent policy changes, and how to access IFHP dental benefits correctly
Understanding the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
Canada’s Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) is a federally administered health safety net that fills a critical gap for newcomers who arrive without access to provincial or territorial health insurance. Managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and administered through Medavie Blue Cross, the program provides time-limited health coverage — including dental care — to eligible individuals while they transition into the provincial system.
The IFHP has been running since 1957, and 2026 has brought the most significant structural change to the program in its history. Over 200,000 Canadians currently rely on IFHP coverage, making it one of the country’s most important newcomer health supports.
Unlike provincial dental programs, the IFHP does not require an application in most cases. Eligibility is confirmed automatically by an IRCC or Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the time of your status determination. You receive an eligibility document — your proof of coverage — and that document is what you present at any IFHP-registered dental clinic.
Who Qualifies for IFHP Dental Coverage in 2026?
IFHP dental coverage is available to individuals who meet federal eligibility criteria based on immigration status. The following groups are typically covered:
- Refugee claimants — people who have filed an asylum claim inside Canada and are awaiting a decision from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)
- Resettled refugees — individuals brought to Canada through Government-Assisted Refugee (GAR) or Privately Sponsored Refugee (PSR) programs
- Protected persons — those whose refugee claim has been accepted
- Victims of human trafficking — individuals issued a Temporary Resident Permit under specific ministerial instructions
- Immigration detainees — people held in immigration custody in certain circumstances
- Select other eligible groups — including some individuals with discretionary coverage granted by IRCC on humanitarian grounds
Canadian citizens and most temporary residents (visitors, international students, foreign workers with employer health benefits) are not eligible. If you are uncertain whether you qualify, contact IRCC directly or speak with a settlement agency before booking your dental appointment.
Important: IFHP coverage begins on the date your eligibility document is issued and typically runs until you become eligible for provincial health insurance (such as Ontario’s OHIP) or until your immigration status changes. For government-sponsored refugees, supplemental IFHP coverage may continue for up to one year after provincial coverage begins.
The Biggest Change in 2026: Co-Payments Are Now Required
Effective May 1, 2026, IFHP introduced mandatory co-payments for supplemental benefits — a first in the program’s nearly 70-year history.
What the New Rules Mean for Dental Care
Under the updated structure:
- Basic health services (doctor visits, emergency room care, hospital stays, diagnostic lab work) remain fully covered with no co-payment
- Supplemental benefits, including all dental care, now require a 30% co-payment paid directly to the dental clinic at time of service
- IFHP covers the remaining 70% of eligible dental costs
- Prescription medications require a separate flat $4 co-payment per prescription fill or refill
This means that if your dental treatment is billed at $200, you pay $60 at the clinic and IFHP pays $140 directly to the provider through Medavie Blue Cross.
The change was first signalled in Canada’s 2025 federal budget and positioned as a sustainability measure to manage growing demand. The government has stated the goal is to keep supplemental care accessible while responsibly managing a program budget that has grown to over $200 million annually.
A Note on Urgent vs. Supplemental Dental Care
The co-payment rules apply to all IFHP dental services, which fall under supplemental benefits. There is no category of dental service that is now free at the point of care. Ask your dental clinic to confirm the estimated cost of your 30% share before any treatment begins so you are not surprised.
What Dental Services Does IFHP Cover in 2026?
IFHP dental coverage is designed to address urgent, medically necessary oral health needs — not routine or cosmetic care. The program’s Dental Benefit Grid (updated April 27, 2026, for all provinces except Quebec) outlines the specific procedures eligible for reimbursement.
Covered Services
- Emergency dental examinations for pain, infection, or trauma (limited to once every six months per dental office)
- Diagnostic X-rays necessary to assess an urgent condition
- Tooth extractions, including simple and some complex cases
- Emergency fillings when needed to relieve acute pain or prevent structural failure
- Emergency prescriptions for pain management or antibiotics related to dental infection
- Denture repairs or relines when medically necessary
- General anesthesia for certain extractions in children under 13, when performed by a specialist
Some services — including certain complex extractions, root canals assessed as urgent, and medically necessary fillings — may require prior authorization before treatment begins. Your IFHP-registered dental provider will initiate this process with Medavie Blue Cross. Do not receive non-emergency dental treatment without first confirming it is covered, as unauthorized procedures may leave you responsible for 100% of the cost.
IFHP and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP): Can You Use Both?
This is an important question for eligible individuals. Normally, IFHP does not coordinate benefits with other dental insurance plans — it acts as a standalone payer. However, there is one official exception:
If you are eligible for both IFHP and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) at the same time, coordination of benefits is permitted for urgent dental care. In that case, IFHP acts as the first payer, and any remaining eligible costs may be submitted to the CDCP.
If you think you may qualify for the CDCP (Canada’s federal dental plan for lower-income Canadians), check with IRCC or your settlement organization — having filed a Canadian tax return is typically required for CDCP eligibility.
Using Your Eligibility Document
Your IFHP eligibility document contains your Unique Client Identifier (UCI), which dental providers use to verify your coverage through the IFHP system before delivering treatment. Presenting this document at your appointment ensures that the clinic can confirm your eligibility and determine which dental services are covered under the program. After your treatment, you may be asked to sign a confirmation form acknowledging the services you received, which is a standard part of IFHP billing and record-keeping.
If you experience any issues related to billing, coverage verification, or eligibility, it is important to take action promptly:
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Contact the dental clinic directly to clarify the situation and ensure your IFHP benefits are correctly applied
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Update your personal information—such as your name or date of birth—through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) if there have been any changes or errors
Keeping your IFHP information accurate and up to date helps avoid delays in care, claim rejections, or unexpected out-of-pocket expenses, and ensures uninterrupted access to eligible dental services under the IFHP program.
IFHP Dental Benefit Updates (2025-2026)
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April 17, 2025: Updated IFHP Dental Benefit Grid introduced (all provinces except Quebec)
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May 1, 2026: Cost-sharing introduced (30% patient contribution for dental services)
These updates ensure continued access to emergency dental care while aligning IFHP with broader federal health policy changes.
IFHP-Registered Dental Providers – Dentistry on Guelph
Dentistry on Guelph is proud to serve IFHP-eligible patients, providing emergency and essential dental care in a welcoming and supportive environment.
✔ IFHP-registered provider
✔ Experience working with refugee and newcomer patients
✔ Clear explanation of covered services and patient cost share
✔ Modern equipment and strict hygiene standards
Please note: As of 2026, IFHP dental services may require a 30% patient payment, depending on the t
Frequently Asked Questions About IFHP Dental Coverage
1. Is IFHP dental care free in 2026?
No. As of May 1, 2026, patients must pay 30% of the cost for covered dental services.
2. Does IFHP still cover emergency dental care?
Yes. IFHP continues to cover urgent dental care related to pain, infection, or trauma.
3. Can IFHP be used with private insurance?
No. IFHP does not coordinate benefits with other dental insurance plans.
4. How do I know how much I need to pay?
Your dental clinic should confirm coverage and estimate your 30% share before treatment
📩 Covered Under IFHP and Looking for Free Dental Care in Guelph?
Book your free dental cleaning at Dentistry on Guelph, where compassionate care meets eligibility under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).
