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Quebec

Provincial disease groups

It is usually possible to get a great deal of assistance and guidance by contacting the non-profit organization associated with your condition. Here is a list of the major groups in Quebec.

• Canadian Cancer Society
• Diabetes Québec
• Asthma Society of Canada
• Heart and Stroke Foundation
• Metropolitain Montreal Independent Living Resource Centre
• Canadian Mental Health Association Quebec Division (available in French only)

HEALTH SERVICES

Quebec Health Insurance Plan (the Régie)

Quebec’s public health insurance is known as the Régie because of its French name, La Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec. To be eligible, you must be legally entitled to be in Canada and must not be absent from the province for more than 183 days out of any calendar year. There are a number of exceptions to this policy. To have your medical services billed directly to the Régie, you must show a valid Health Insurance Card.

Services covered by RAMQ

Service category	Who is covered	What is covered
Medical services	Anyone with a Health Insurance Card.	All medically necessary services provided by doctors and hospitals. Dental surgery that must be performed in a hospital.
Dental services	children under 10 persons who have been recipients of last-resort financial assistance for at least 12 consecutive months, and their dependents.	Non-cosmetic dental services.
Optometric services	People age 65 or over People age 18 to 64 who have been recipients of last-resort financial assistance for at least the past 12 consecutive months. People age 60 to 64 who have been receiving a spouse's allowance under the Old Age Security Act for at least 12 consecutive months and who, without this allowance, would be entitled to last-resort financial assistance benefits Visually impaired people.	Eye examinations, detection and treatment of eye diseases and prescription of treatment.
Assistive devices	People insured under the Québec Health Insurance Plan who have a physical deficiency and meet the program's eligibility requirements.	Walking, standing and mobility devices. Orthotics and prosthetics.
Hearing devices	children and students who have reduced hearing adults who are hearing impaired adults with a disability in addition to hearing loss	Hearing aids and assistive listening devices for the home.
Ostomy supplies	People who have had a permanent colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy.	Patients receive $700 per year. People on employment assistance receive full reimbursement with itemized invoices.
External breastforms	Women who have had a total or radial mastectomy, or who suffer from aplasia.	$200 every two years. Women on employment assistance may receive an additional $100 with an itemized invoice.
Visual devices	People registered as visually impaired who are students or have a job.	Reading aids, braille typewriters, guide dogs and mobility aids. Students can receive screen readers and higher-complexity reading aids.
Ocular prosthesis	Assessed need.	Capped reimbursement for the cost of a new prosthesis every five years plus a yearly amount for care and maintenance.

More information on the Régie’s coverage.

Québec
1125, Grande Allée Ouest
Québec, QC
G1S 1E7

Phone: (418) 646-4636 (TDD: (418) 682-3939)

Montréal
425, boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest, 3e étage, bureau 300
Montréal, QC
H3A 3G5

Phone: (514) 864-3411
Elsewhere in Québec, toll-free: 1-800-561-9749 (TDD: 1-800-361-3939)

Régie coverage outside Quebec

You are covered in other provinces for the same services that are covered in Quebec, at the same rates as the Régie pays in Quebec. This means that if a doctor in another province charges more, you are responsible for the extra portion. You are usually able to have your services billed directly to the Régie by presenting your Health Insurance Card.

Régie coverage outside Canada

The Régie covers only emergency doctor and hospital fees when you are outside Canada, and then only at the same rate as in Quebec. This means that your bill will often be much higher than the Régie will reimburse, and there may be many medical services that are not covered at all. It is highly recommended that you take out private travel insurance for even short trips out of the country.

To claim expenses incurred outside Quebec, you can fill out a form for services covered outside of Quebec (requires Adobe Reader) and mail it to:

Service de l'application des programmes (Q037)
Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec
PO Box 6600
Québec, QC
G1K 7T3

Or drop your application off at one of the Regie offices:

Québec
1125, Grande Allée Ouest
Québec, QC
G1S 1E7

Montréal
425, boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest, 3e étage, bureau 300
Montréal, QC
H3A 3G5

Make sure you include the following:

• the originals of your invoices;
• the originals of your receipts (credit card payment slips or photocopies of both sides of cancelled cheques showing the name of the hospital or health professional);
• the operative report, if you underwent major surgery.

Prescription Drug Insurance

Seniors in Quebec are covered for their prescription drug costs under the Régie’s Prescription Drug Insurance. People under 65 may also be covered if they are on employment assistance, or if they do not have access to a private drug plan. Here’s how it works:

1. When you file your Quebec income taxes, you are required to indicate whether you have access to a private drug plan, either through your employer, your spouse’s employer or some other source such as a professional association.
2. If you indicate that you do have access to private drug coverage, you will not be able to register for the public plan, and will not be charged premiums on your income tax. You cannot opt to take the public plan instead of a private plan.
3. If you respond that you do not have access to private drug coverage, you will automatically be charged the premium whether or not you actually register for the public plan.
4. Just because you are paying the premium for the Quebec public plan, do not assume that you are covered. Everyone must contact the Régie to register.

The public plan automatically covers any children you have.

The amount of the annual premium varies from $0 to $579 per adult, depending on net household income. This amount is in effect from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. When purchasing a covered drug, the insured person must pay an amount that varies according to personal situation. Under no circumstance will a person pay more than $82.66 per month or $992 per year. Once you reach the maximum contribution, the Régie will cover the cost of your drugs. Find out more about Quebec’s Prescription Drug Insurance.

The Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan will only cover drugs that appear on its list of medications. If you need a drug that is not on the list, your doctor can apply to the Régie for special coverage. Quebec Prescription Drug Insurance List of Medications.

Contact the Prescription Drug Insurance program:
Québec
1125, Grande Allée Ouest
Québec, QC
G1S 1E7
Phone: (418) 646-4636 (TDD: (418) 682-3939)

Montréal
425, boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest, 3e étage, bureau 300
Montréal, QC
H3A 3G5
Phone: (514) 864-3411

Elsewhere in Québec, toll-free: 1-800-561-9749 (TDD: 1-800-361-3939)

Allied health professionals

Certain services from allied health professionals can be covered under RAMQ under certain circumstances. However most are not unless they are offered in a hospital or out-patient clinic. See a list of Régie covered services.

Locate a...

• audiologist (available in French only)
• chiropractor
• dentist
• dietitian
• massage therapist
• midwife (available in French only)
• occupational therapist
• optometrist
• physiotherapist (available in French only)
• podiatrist (available in French only)
• psychologist

Cancer care

Specialized services for cancer patients are provided in Quebec through the Canadian Cancer Society. Cancer diagnosis, surgery, treatment and rehabilitation are all covered by the Régie. In addition, Quebec public Prescription Drug Insurance covers the cost of chemotherapy drugs for patients who don’t have private coverage. Find cancer resources in Quebec through the Canadian Cancer Society.

Canadian Cancer Society
5151, boulevard de l’Assomption
Montréal, QC
H1T 4A9

Phone: (514) 255-5151
Toll-free: 1-888-939-3333
Fax: (514) 255-2808
E-mail: info@sic.cancer.ca

Flu shot

See our Flu Vaccination Guide for information about seasonal flu vaccine availability by province or territory.

Mental health care

Psychiatric services and treatments are covered by the Régie as long as you are referred to the psychiatrist by a doctor. Psychiatric drugs are also covered under Quebec's Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan for people who do not have access to a private plan. If you require care in an institution, the Régie likewise picks up all the cost.

Community mental health services are delivered through the regional offices of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Find the office nearest you (available in French only).

Or contact the provincial headquarters:
911, rue Jean-Talon Est, bureau 326
Montréal, QC
H2R 1V5
Phone: (514) 849-3291
Fax: (514) 849-8372
E-mail: info@acsm.qc.ca

Palliative care

If you have a terminal illness and have decided against further treatment, your doctor can refer you to palliative care. Once you have been referred, you may be able to receive nurse and doctor visits, personal care, homemaking help and assistance with your medications at income-adjusted rates, funded by the Régie. Your palliative care may take place in your home, a hospice, a long-term care facility or a hospital. Exactly what care you receive and where it takes place will depend on your preference and your needs as assessed by a social worker.

For more information about palliative care in Quebec, visit the Réseau des soins palliatifs (available in French only).

Réseau des soins palliatifs du Québec
(Association québécoise de soins palliatifs – AQSP)
500, rue Sherbrooke Ouest, bureau 900
Montréal, QC
H3A 3C6

Phone: (514) 282-3808
Fax: (514) 844-7556
E-mail: info@aqsp.org

Wait times

You can find information on wait times for some procedures at Quebec hospitals here. The information is presented as a percentage of procedures that occur within the benchmark wait times set by the province.

See the article on wait times on this website for helpful advice and information on how to receive faster service for surgical procedures, certain diagnostic tests (such as an MRI) and appointments with a specialist doctor.

Workplace injuries

The Commission de la Santé et la Sécurité du Travail (CSST) compensates workers in Quebec who are injured on the job and assists them to return to work, if possible, with rehabilitation, medical care and retraining. To find out more, visit the CSST website.

There are five steps you need to take if you are injured on the job in Quebec:

1. Notify your employer of the injury immediately.
2. Seek medical attention and obtain a note from your doctor if you are unable to work. Track all medical expenses that you incur, including travel expenses.
3. Fill out a Worker’s Claim Form (requires Adobe Reader) within six months of the injury occurring.
4. Follow all your doctor’s instructions and take all the medication you are prescribed.
5. Advise the CSST of any change in your health status.

Telephone Support

Info-Santé is a nurse telephone health information service for non-urgent problems. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dial 8-1-1 to reach Info-Santé from anywhere in Québec, except Terres-Cries-de-la-Baie-James and Nunavik.

DISABILITY SUPPORT

Assistive devices

The Régie provides most kinds of assistive devices to people with disabilities. However, if you want an upgraded model from the device that the Régie will provide, you will have to cover the entire cost of the device yourself. This is because the Régie offers assistive devices on a full-cost coverage basis, not as a payment allowance.

Employment support for people with disabilities

If you have disabilities you can get help with your efforts to find employment from Emploi-Québec. Based on an assessment from your local employment centre (CLE), you may be eligible for help with:

• career counseling
• assistive devices necessary for the job
• training
• wage subsidies
• workplace modifications
• employer counseling

Find out more about Emploi-Québec’s assistance for people with disabilities.

Or contact Emploi-Quebec:

Quebec
425, rue Saint Amable, RC 175
Québec, QC
G1R 4Z1
Phone: (418) 643-4721

Montreal
800, Square-Victoria, bureau 2800
Montréal, QC
H4Z 1B7
Phone: (514) 873-1892

Financial support for people with disabilities

The Quebec government assists people with disabilities through the Social Solidarity Program of the Solidarité sociale. In order to qualify, your household income and assets must fall below a certain level, you must be over 18 and have a medically documented permanent disability that severely restricts your ability to work.

There are a number of variables that affect how much your benefit will be. For more information, check the Solidarité sociale website.

Bureau des renseignements et plaintes
Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale
425, rue Saint Amable, RC 175
Québec, QC
G1R 4Z1

Québec City area: (418) 643-4721
Toll-free: 1-888-643-4721

There are a number of other programs offering supplemental assistance and preparation for entry into the workforce.

If your disability is the result of a motor vehicle accident, the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) may compensate you for your injury and provide assistance with expenses arising from it. Find out more about SAAQ benefits.

Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
P.O. Box 19600, Terminus
333, boulevard Jean-Lesage
Québec, QC
G1K 8J6

Québec region: (418) 643-7620
Montréal region: (514) 873-7620
Toll-free: 1-800-361-7620

Your landlord can get help with the costs of modifying your apartment to accommodate your disability through the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ). There are a number of conditions and qualifications – check the SHQ website for more information.

Home care

Home care for seniors and people with disabilities is offered by Community Care Centres (CLSC) across Quebec and funded by the Régie through 18 health regions. If living at home is no longer manageable due to your health, home support services, such as professional care, home assistance, caregiver assistance, and technical support, may be a good option for you. These services can be provided on either a temporary or long-term basis. To learn more about accessing home care, contact your local CLSC and/or Info Santé (available in French only).

Housing and living arrangements for seniors

In addition to home care, there are three other types of senior care programs in Quebec: home adaptation, long-term care, and assisted living. There are also housing options on the Government of Quebec website if none of these programs is applicable to you. Alternatively, see the Ministry of Health and Social Services’ Register of residences for the elderly (available in French only) if you are trying to locate a private care home. All homes listed in this registry comply with the criteria required to hold a certificate in appropriate care of the elderly.

Home adaptation for independent living

Government assistance may be available to help cover the costs of adapting your home to make independent living safer and easier. Programs, such as the Société d’habitation du Quebec Home Adaptation for Seniors’ Independence (HASI), can help. You can get information on program eligibility, conditions, and requirements by getting in touch with the Société d'habitation du Québec. Find their contact information below:

Société d'habitation du Québec
Direction des communications
1054, rue Louis-Alexandre-Taschereau, Aile Saint-Amable, 3e étage
Québec, QC
G1R 5E7

Toll-free: 1-800-463-4315
Fax: (418) 643-4560

Long-term care

If you are currently living at home, but need to transition to a long-term care facility, you can contact your local CLSC (available in French only) to apply for residence in a public facility. If you are moving from a hospital to a long-term care facility, talk to the discharge nurse or speak with a social worker to determine your long-term care options based on your current health status.

There is a government fee for adults (i.e., those over the age of 18) who require care at a health facility in Quebec. This care ranges from residential and long-term care homes to rehabilitation centres to general or specialized hospitals. While the medical, nursing, and prescription drug services are covered under the public plan at these facilities, this fee goes towards other required services. Learn more about how this fee is calculated. For information on this program, visit the RAMQ website or get in touch by mail or phone at:

Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec
Direction de la contribution et de l'aide financières
425, boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest, 2e étage, bureau 213
Montréal, QC
H3A 3G5

Phone: (514) 873-1529
Toll-free: 1-800-265-0765
Fax: (514) 864-4179
Toll-free fax: 1-800-308-0265

Assisted-living facility

If you are unable to live independently, but do not require hospitalization or long-term care accommodations, assisted living facilities, such as supervised apartments, rooming houses, group homes, or reception homes, may be an option. Keep in mind that the government charges a fee, similar to the long-term care fee indicated above, for the types of services accessed through assisted living. Learn more about how the assisted-living fee is calculated, or contact the Direction de la contribution et de l'aide financiers, as indicated above.

Assisted living for people with disabilities

If you have a physical disability, you will be able to get most of the help you need to live independently in your home from your local CLSC (available in French only). If you need high levels of care, or you have an intellectual disability that prevents you from being able to live alone, you can get help from L'Association du Québec pour l'intégration sociale (AQIS) (available in French only).

Association du Québec pour l'intégration sociale (AQIS)
Institut québécois de la déficience intellectuelle (IQDI)
3958, rue Dandurand
Montréal, QC
H1X 1P7

Phone (AQIS): (514) 725-7245
Phone (IQDI): (514) 725-2387
Fax (AQIS/IQDI): (514) 725-2796

Respite services

Respite services for caregivers are available in Quebec through your local CLSC (available in French only).

LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Medical records

Your medical information belongs to you, but the physical file belongs to the office that created it. This means that you have the right to see your medical file in Quebec and to make copies, but not to alter or remove any information from it. If you feel that there is an error in your file, and the holder of the file refuses to correct it, you can include a note in the file outlining your disagreement. Doctors, hospitals and CLSCs are only allowed to charge a reasonable fee for copies of your file.

If you have concerns about how your medical information has been handled, contact the Commission d'accès à l'information.

Head Office
575, rue Saint-Amable, bureau 1.10
Québec, QC
G1R 2G4

Phone: (418) 528-7741
Fax: (418) 529-3102

Montreal
500, boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest, bureau 18.200
Montréal, QC
H2Z 1W7

Phone: (514) 873-4196
Fax: (514) 844-6170
Fax for the Legal Affairs Department: (514) 864-4322

Toll-free number for both offices: 1-888-528-7741

Power of Attorney and other legal relationships

Please note: The information provided here is provided for information purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.

In Quebec, a Power of Attorney agreement allows a third party, or parties, to handle your personal property and financial transactions on your behalf. The Power of Attorney may cover very specific transactions, or give broad powers over all your affairs. Power of Attorney agreements do not need to be witnessed and can be cancelled by the donor at any time.

Quebec Power of Attorney agreements cannot remain in effect after you lose the capacity to direct the activities of your attorney. In order to empower someone to act on your behalf in the event that you become incapable, you must create a much more formal agreement called a “mandate.”

A mandate is a witnessed, official court document that designates one or more people to act for you in the event that you become incapacitated. It covers financial transactions and may also lay out your medical wishes and empower your mandatory to make medical decisions for you.

A Quebec mandate only becomes active following its “homologation” by a Quebec court. Homologation is a formal legal process in which you are examined by health professionals to determine if you are really incapacitated. The court examines your mandate to assess whether it is valid and comprehensive enough to provide for your care. If all these matters are in order, the court will make the mandate “executory,” which means that its terms are now in effect and the mandatories can carry out their tasks.

Find out more about mandates.

If you have questions about Power of Attorney agreements in Quebec, contact the Public Curator:

Public Curator
600, boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest, 12^e étage
Montréal, QC
H3B 4W9

Phone: (514) 873-4074
Fax: (514) 873-4972

Regulatory and administrative bodies

La Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec insures Quebeckers’ medical services, home care and prescription drugs. It is funded by Santé et Services sociaux, which is the Quebec government health ministry. Hospitals are regulated and funded by the 18 health regions. The regions also fund and control community health services through Local Community Service Centres (CLSC).

Doctors in Quebec are regulated by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ). Nurses are licenced and regulated by the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ).