Health Services
The cost of health care is covered by the health
insurance scheme administered by the Quebec Health Insurance Board (la
Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec –RAMQ). All Quebec residents are
eligible for coverage under this scheme but must first apply for a
health insurance card from the authorities.
The scheme covers all essential health care, but not specialized treatments, such as cosmetic surgery or alternative medicine. You may have to wait about three months whilst the RAMQ completes your registration. During this interim perod you will have to cover health care costs yourself, unless you obtain a specific exemption. Pregnant women and victims of abuse, for example, are usually given free treatment even before they receive their health insurance card. Nationals of countries which have a mutual health care agreement with Canada are also eligible for free treatment during this interim period. They must, however, provide proof that they are covered under the health care system in their own country when registering with RAMQ.
As a general rule, health insurance is forfeited if a resident is absent from Quebec for more than 183 days in a calendar year.
The scheme covers all essential health care, but not specialized treatments, such as cosmetic surgery or alternative medicine. You may have to wait about three months whilst the RAMQ completes your registration. During this interim perod you will have to cover health care costs yourself, unless you obtain a specific exemption. Pregnant women and victims of abuse, for example, are usually given free treatment even before they receive their health insurance card. Nationals of countries which have a mutual health care agreement with Canada are also eligible for free treatment during this interim period. They must, however, provide proof that they are covered under the health care system in their own country when registering with RAMQ.
As a general rule, health insurance is forfeited if a resident is absent from Quebec for more than 183 days in a calendar year.