Individuals with Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) coverage eligible for HPV testing

Individuals covered under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) in Ontario are now eligible for HPV-based cervical screening. The recent transition from cytology to HPV based cervical screening is a major step towards the eradication of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable with the combination of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening. Many refugees may not have had access to cervical screening in their country of origin and have lower cervical screening rates in Canada due to barriers such as access to care, competing priorities and cultural factors. The initial engagement of refugees with our health system allows for education around Canadian cervical screening practices and ensuring screening completion if desired.

Refugees receive health services under the coverage of the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) while awaiting eligibility for OHIP. Cervical screening with cytology was previously funded under the IFHP. There is now confirmation that on an interim basis, HPV based screening will also be covered for individuals living in Ontario on IFHP through LifeLabs and Dynacare.

Lab requisitions

Providers registered with IFHP may be uncertain how to complete the lab requisition forms, which are typically structured for patients with provincial health insurance (i.e., OHIP).

When completing a requisition for an IFHP-covered individual:

• In the Health Card Number (HCN) field - enter the IFHP number, specifically, the Unique Client Identifier (UCI) as "IFHP – UCI: [number]"
• In the Clinical History / Remarks section also enter "IFHP – UCI: [number]" to support accurate identification and billing.

Also, please note that Fecal immunohistochemical tests are not currently funded though IFHP at this time, but there is access to the Fecal Occult blood test.

The appropriate requisitions, as well as information on the process to register to become a health care provider with the Interim Federal Health Program to ensure reimbursement for eligible patients through the program, can be found below.

Physician & Np Resources

• HPV Requisition Forms, Lifelabs
• HPV Requisition Forms, Dynacare
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Testing in Ontario: Implementation Resource Hub, Cancer Care Ontario, Cancer Care Ontario
• Registering to provide services for the Interim Federal Health Program, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Patient Resources

• What you should know about cervical screening, Cancer Care Ontario.
• General information on HPV in 18 languages, HPV Global Action
• Interim Federal Health Program Information, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Anna Wilkinson, MSc., MD, CCFP
Regional Cancer Primary Care Lead