Interim Federal Health Program: massage and compression

The Interim Federal Health Program does not list massage therapy or acupuncture in its supplemental benefit grid, so it does not pay for them. It can cover compression garments with prior approval, up to four per calendar year, for chronic venous insufficiency class 2 or 3, chronic lymphedema and a few other listed conditions, but not for use before or after surgery, in pregnancy or at night. Since May 1, 2026, IFHP pays 70% of eligible supplemental costs and you pay the other 30%.

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) gives limited, temporary health coverage to people such as refugee claimants until they qualify for provincial health insurance. For someone living with swelling, it helps with one part of care, the garment, and not with the hands-on therapy. This page sets out the line between the two, using IFHP’s own benefit grid.

What IFHP covers and what it does not

IFHP has three layers: basic coverage (hospital care and services from doctors, nurses and other health care professionals), prescription medications with a $4 copayment, and supplemental benefits. Massage therapy and acupuncture do not appear in the supplemental benefit grid, so IFHP does not pay for them, including manual lymphatic drainage by a massage therapist.

Compression garments do appear, as vascular compression garments under benefit code 402700.

Service	IFHP supplemental grid	What you pay
Massage therapy, including lymphatic drainage	Not listed	Full cost
Acupuncture	Not listed	Full cost
Compression garments (code 402700)	Listed, prior approval required	30% copayment
Physiotherapy	Listed, prior approval required	30% copayment

You can only use IFHP coverage with health care professionals who are registered with the IFHP, so ask the provider before your appointment.

The 70/30 split

From May 1, 2026, IFHP pays providers up to 70% of the baseline amount, or 70% of usual and customary costs, for eligible supplemental services and products. You pay the other 30%, called a copayment, directly to the provider. Providers must tell you the copayment amount before they provide the service, so you should never be surprised at the counter.

Compression garment rules on the IFHP grid

The grid’s compression entry sets out who qualifies and for what. Eligible conditions include:

• chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) class 2 or 3;
• chronic lymphedema;
• paraplegia, deep venous thrombosis, severe varicose veins or leg ulcers.

Garments prescribed for these situations are not eligible:

1. in-patient or short-term interventions;
2. pre or post-operative use;
3. CVI class 1, simple varices or prevention;
4. pregnancy;
5. edema management or systemic edema;
6. night-time use;
7. cellulitis, blood clots, thrombophlebitis, phlebitis or post-phlebitis syndromes;
8. arterial insufficiency, hypotension or osteoarthritis.

The limit is four garments per calendar year, and each needs prior approval. Garments of 20-30 mmHg and 30-40 mmHg, and lymphedema compression devices, are to be prescribed by a physician or nurse practitioner; garments over 40 mmHg need a specialist such as a vascular, orthopedic, plastic or general surgeon, an oncologist, internist, pediatrician or physiatrist. The claim must include a copy of the supplier’s or manufacturer’s invoice. Our page on compression classes and mmHg explains what those numbers mean.

Arterial insufficiency also appears on that list. Compression needs particular care when blood flow into the legs is reduced, and our page on when compression is unsafe explains the checks clinicians use.

Physiotherapy as the IFHP route to hands-on care

If you need hands-on lymphedema care while on IFHP, physiotherapy is the supplemental benefit to ask about. The grid lists a physiotherapy initial assessment and subsequent visits, up to 12 a calendar year, each needing prior approval, a written diagnosis and a referral from a physician or nurse practitioner. Ask the physician or nurse practitioner who manages your swelling whether a referral fits your situation, and look for an IFHP-registered physiotherapist.

Medavie Blue Cross administers IFHP, at 1-888-614-1880 in Canada. Providers have six months from the date of service to submit IFHP claims, so ask your provider to submit promptly.

When your Alberta coverage begins

IFHP lasts until you are eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance. Once you have Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan coverage, Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) may help with garments for long-term conditions: it serves Albertans with a valid health care card who need help because of a long-term disability, chronic illness or terminal illness, with a cost share of 25% to $500 a year that low-income Albertans and people on income assistance do not pay. Our page on AADL compression garment coverage explains how that program handles garments.

How Renu can help

Renu is a private clinic in West Hillhurst, and we would not want you to book expecting IFHP to pay: massage and lymphatic therapy are not IFHP benefits, and IFHP coverage is only available through IFHP-registered providers.

If you choose to pay privately, Meeghan Mackenzie, our founder, is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist and Certified Compression Fitter. A 30-minute compression fitting is $25, and classic lymphatic drainage massage starts at $95 for 30 minutes. Our complete decongestive therapy page explains how lymphedema care is put together. You can book through Jane or call us at 403-270-2111 if you would like to ask questions first.

Questions people ask

Do I have to pay anything for an IFHP-covered compression garment?

Yes, since May 1, 2026. IFHP pays providers up to 70% of the baseline amount or of usual and customary costs, and you pay the remaining 30% copayment directly to the provider. Providers must tell you the copayment amount before they give the service.

Can IFHP pay for my compression garment while I am pregnant?

No. The IFHP grid lists pregnancy among the conditions for which compression garments are not eligible, along with pre or post-operative use, edema management and night-time use. If swelling in pregnancy worries you, raise it with your physician, nurse practitioner or midwife.

Does IFHP cover physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is on the IFHP supplemental grid, with prior approval, a written diagnosis and a referral from a physician or nurse practitioner; the grid lists one initial assessment and up to 12 subsequent visits per calendar year in a clinic. As with all supplemental benefits, IFHP pays 70% and you pay 30%.

How long does IFHP coverage last?

IFHP is limited and temporary coverage that lasts until you are eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance. In Alberta, that means the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, after which provincial programs such as AADL may be options for garments.

Sources

1. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada: IFHP summary of coverage
2. Medavie Blue Cross: IFHP benefit grid, supplemental coverage (current as of July 31, 2026)
3. Medavie Blue Cross: Federally administered program providers
4. Government of Alberta: AADL eligibility and application for benefits

Page reviewed October 5, 2026. This page is education, not a diagnosis. For your own situation, talk to your doctor, surgeon or care team, or ask us.