Dental Services for Refugees in Aurora

What the IFHP is

The IFHP is run by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It gives limited and temporary health coverage for urgent and essential needs. It lasts until you qualify for provincial health insurance, or until your eligibility ends.

Medavie Blue Cross runs the program for IRCC. Dental offices must be registered with Medavie to bill IFHP. You can reach Medavie at 1-888-614-1880 from inside Canada.

Who is covered

IRCC lists these groups. How long coverage lasts depends on the group. The official eligibility page has the full details.

• Asylum claimants, while the claim is in process, and in some cases after a decision.
• Protected persons, for 90 days after a positive decision or until provincial coverage starts, whichever comes first.
• Resettled refugees, including government-assisted and privately sponsored refugees.
• Victims of human trafficking or family violence who hold a temporary resident permit for that reason.
• People detained under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, while detained.
• People covered by certain public policies, or approved by the Minister case by case.

Dental coverage limits as published

IRCC lists urgent dental care as a supplemental benefit. Since May 1, 2026, supplemental benefits have a 30% co-payment. IFHP pays 70% of the eligible cost, and you pay 30%. Doctor and hospital care stay fully covered, but dental care is not part of that basic group.

The exact dental services and limits are set out in the IFHP Benefit Grids. There is one grid for Quebec and one for the rest of Canada, including Ontario. Some services need pre-approval from the program before treatment. For resettled refugees, supplemental benefits last only while you receive income support from the Resettlement Assistance Program or your private sponsor.

What to bring to your visit

Please bring one IFHP eligibility document. Without it, we cannot check your coverage. If you have none but think you are eligible, you may need to apply to IRCC for an Interim Federal Health Certificate.

• Acknowledgement of Claim (AoC)
• Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD) or Refugee Protection Identity Document (RPID)
• Interim Federal Health Certificate (IFHC)
• Temporary resident permit, if your coverage comes from one
• Your unique client identifier (UCI), shown on your IRCC documents

How we bill IFHP in Aurora

Before each visit, we check your eligibility with Medavie using your UCI. New coverage can take at least 2 business days to become active. If your documents are very new, tell us when you call so we can plan the timing.

You pay your 30% co-payment to us, and we give you a receipt. We bill Medavie for the rest. You may be asked to sign a form that confirms the treatment you received. We cannot charge you more than the co-payment for a covered service.

When a service is not covered

Some dental care is not on the IFHP grid. If your dentist recommends something that is not covered, we tell you before treatment. You would pay the full amount yourself, and IFHP will not pay you back. You can say no, ask questions or take time to decide.

If you are also eligible for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, the two programs can work together. We check how each one applies before your treatment.

Letters from Medavie Blue Cross

After a visit, Medavie may mail you a letter. It asks you to confirm that you received care on a certain date. Please sign it and send it back. IRCC says this letter is not a bill. It does not change your IFHP coverage or your immigration status.

Our team speaks English, فارسی (Farsi), தமிழ் (Tamil) and Tagalog. Ask for a team member who speaks your language when you book. If any letter or form is unclear, bring it in and we can go over it with you.

How it works at our clinic

1. Contact usCall or use our website form. Tell us you have IFHP coverage.
2. Bring your documentBring your AoC, RPCD, RPID or IFHC, and your UCI.
3. We check eligibilityWe confirm your coverage with Medavie Blue Cross before your visit.
4. Exam and costsYour dentist explains what you need. We tell you what IFHP covers and your 30% share first.
5. We bill MedavieYou pay your co-payment and get a receipt. We bill the rest to IFHP.

Questions