If a refugee is urgently unwell upon arrival, take them to the nearest Emergency Department. Present any health insurance at the registration desk.
The following health insurance is available to privately sponsored refugees (PSRs):
Enrolment is not automatic. Upon arrival, refugees will need assistance with MSP registration. Complete the online registration form (printable PDF available) and send it to Health Insurance BC with copies of each individual’s immigration documents.
Call HIBC at 1-800-663-7100 and ask for an enrolment specialist with any questions.
In Canada, the IFHP provides limited, temporary coverage of health-care benefits to people in the following groups who aren’t eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance:
Resettled refugees should receive their IFH papers upon entry into Canada. If newcomers are not Syrian or do not have an IFH certificate, apply for IFH online and mail the application to the BC CIC office.
If you were already chosen to resettle in Canada as a refugee, the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) will cover some of your pre-departure medical services. This includes:
If you are interested in a family doctor or nurse practitioner and live in a participating Primary Care Network community, register for the Health Connect Registry and get matched with a family doctor or nurse practitioner in your community.
Some Divisions of Family practice on Vancouver Island are maintaining a list of family doctors in different communities that accept IFH insurance.
If your family doctor is willing to take refugees, but isn’t registered with IFH, they can register here (printable PDF available). For more information, call Medavie Blue Cross at 1-888-614-1880.
The Interim Federal Health Program maintains a list of dentists that have registered with IFH insurance. For more information, visit BC Dental Association.
Island Health sites have access to phone interpreters through the Provincial Language Service at 1-888-603-5087. With notice, the following settlement organizations can sometimes provide an interpreter to accompany the patient to medical visits:
The benefits covered by the IFHP have certain limits including maximum dollar amounts. For more information, please consult the IFHP benefit grids:
Island Health outpatient labs and x-ray departments accept IFHP. Always show IFHP papers and MSP if available when accessing services. A government-issued photo ID (such as the single-journey travel document issued by the Canadian government) may also be required.
If the refugee patient is asked for money by the lab/x-ray/pharmacy even though she has IFH coverage, do not pay. Even if this is an error, it is extremely difficult to be reimbursed. Show the provider the IFH certificate, ID if required and MSP card if available. Ensure the provider is registered with IFH. Tell the provider to call the patient’s family physician to clarify coverage.
Coordinate with a family doctor or directly contact your local Public Health Unit to set up an appointment to have vaccinations reviewed and offered for the whole family.
Read about vaccine requirements for children and youth accessing schools.
To ensure successful integration into the healthcare system, please review the list below and verify that all items have been completed.
❏ Provide access to healthcare for urgent medical needs
❏ Provide information on emergency services 911, nearest hospital
❏ Set up medical appointment with community family doctor for each family member
❏ Set up vaccination appointment - either with family doctor or local public health office
❏ Register for Interim Federal Health Insurance (IFH)
❏ Register for MSP
❏ Set up optometrist or dental appointments if necessary (within first 6 months)
❏ Apply for Pharmacare just before the one year mark
❏ Apply for Low Income Cut Off (LICO) Dental Insurance in B.C.
QuitNow offers toll-free telephone support by calling 1-877-455-2233. For translation services, the caller should say ”Arabic” at the beginning of the call, and an Arabic translator will be requested. There may be a short delay for the translator to come on the line. Online chat support is also available at QuitNow.ca. This service is currently only available in English.
Learn more: HealthLinkBC - Smoking Cessation (Arabic)
