Canada Introduces Health-Care Co-Payments for Refugees and Asylum Seekers: What You Need to Know

Starting May 1, 2026, Canada will introduce a new co-payment requirement for refugees and asylum seekers accessing certain health-care services. The change, announced as part of the federal government’s 2025 budget, has sparked concern among health-care providers, immigration lawyers, and refugee advocates across the country.

Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s changing — and why it matters.

What Is Changing Under the Interim Federal Health Program?

Refugees and asylum seekers will continue to receive full coverage for essential medical care under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), including:

• Visits to doctors and specialists

• Hospital care

• Diagnostic services

However, beginning in May, supplemental health benefits will no longer be fully covered.

New Co-Payments Include:

• 30% out-of-pocket costs for services such as:

  • Dental care

  • Vision care (optometry)

  • Physiotherapy

  • Certain mental-health supports

• $4 flat fee per prescription

The policy applies to:

• Government-assisted refugees

• Privately sponsored refugees

• Asylum claimants during their first year in Canada

Why Is the Government Making This Change?

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the co-payment system is meant to ensure the long-term sustainability of the IFHP as demand continues to rise.

Some key figures behind the decision:

• IFHP covered 623,365 people in 2024–2025, up from just over 90,000 a decade earlier

• Program costs reached $896.5 million, an increase of over $300 million in one year

• As of December 2025, more than 300,000 refugee claims were awaiting a decision

The government maintains that co-payments will help manage costs while keeping essential care available.

Why Advocates Are Concerned

Doctors and refugee health advocates warn that even modest fees can create real barriers for people who arrive in Canada with little or no income.

A $4 prescription charge may sound minor — but for patients managing chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or trauma-related illnesses, costs can add up quickly.

Health professionals also stress that early access to dental care, mental-health support, and medications is critical to helping refugees stabilize, find work, and integrate successfully into Canadian society.

In their view, introducing financial hurdles risks:

• Delayed treatment

• Worsening health outcomes

• Higher long-term health-care costs

What This Means for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

If you are a refugee or asylum claimant in Canada:

• You will not lose access to doctors, hospitals, or urgent care

• You may need to budget for partial costs related to dental care, vision care, therapy, and prescriptions

• You should understand what services remain fully covered and which now require co-payment

Navigating health coverage alongside immigration proceedings can be overwhelming, especially during your first year in Canada.

Getting Legal Guidance During Settlement

Changes to public policy often have practical consequences that go beyond headlines. For refugees and asylum seekers, understanding rights, benefits, and obligations — including health coverage — is an important part of building stability in Canada.

An experienced immigration lawyer can help you:

• Understand how your status affects access to services

• Navigate refugee or asylum claims efficiently

• Avoid delays that could affect benefits or eligibility

Contact us today to help you navigate your refugee or asylum journey.