What is the Best Health Insurance in Quebec for 2024?

Did you know that over 30% of medical costs in Quebec are not covered by the Quebec Health Insurance Plan (RAMQ)? Most families end up paying this out of the pocket leaving them with a huge financial burden. That's why it's essential to have good private health insurance.

Private health insurance also helps you cover essential yet expensive services like dental care, vision care and prescription medications, many of which are not covered or offered very limited protection by RAMQ.

But how do you know which is the best Quebec health insurance for you? In this guide, we take you through the best private insurance in Quebec, coverage, pros and cons, prices, how to get covered by RAMQ and get a Quebec Health Card, and more. You can also compare plans and get quotes using our free comparator at the top of this page.

Top 2024 Quebec Health insurance plans

We share the coverage, cost, pros and cons, of plans offered by the best insurance companies in Quebec.

Manulife health insurance: The most comprehensive options

Manulife Health Insurance Quebec offers many comprehensive health insurance plans - whether you are looking for dental benefits, drug benefits, or a combination, you will be able to find a plan that works for your health needs.

There is a comprehensive online portal offered by Manulife health insurance for easy access to policy information and to submit a claim online. All health and dental plans have the option to add Manulife Vitality which gives you the opportunity to earn rewards and save on how much you pay.

Manulife private health insurance is a choice for you if you do not have health benefits through your employer, you are losing your group coverage, or if you would like additional benefits not offered by your employer’s or province’s health and drug coverage such as dental or medication-only coverage.

If you would like to explore further and get a Manulife health insurance quote to meet your unique needs, you can do so below and get results in a few moments.

Quebec Blue Cross health insurance: The most flexible choice

The Canadian Association of Blue Cross is a federation of non-profit insurance providers operating across Canada since 1938. Its members collectively insure over 7 million Canadians under their federally licensed coverage.

The Quebec Blue Cross health insurance has three categories - Entry, Essential, and Enhanced, with 60%, 70%, and 80% reimbursement levels respectively. There is a 100% reimbursement level for several diagnostic services across plans (*maximums apply).

With Bluecross Quebec, dental, drug, critical illness, hospital cash, and assured access benefits can be included as add-ons giving you complete control over customizing your plan. With the dental Essential and Enhanced add-ons, there are no maximums for fillings, extractions, and root canals.

The Enhanced Health plan has travel coverage. Further, Quebec Blue Cross health insurance provides coverage for several health practitioners, including dietitians, therapists, audiologists, and more.

You can find the detailed coverage under each Complete Health plan right here.

If you want a Quebec Blue Cross health insurance quote, you can do it here and get results in no time.

Odyssey health insurance: No-deductible options

Odyssey Health Insurance is a tailored program for health-conscious individuals offering flexibility and affordability. With coverage options spanning single, couple, single-parent, or family plans, you can curate your insurance to fit your needs.

Odyssey offers coverage without the hassle of a medical exam and lets you stay insured up to age 99. You can choose from three Extended Health Insurance plans encompassing hospitalization, specialists, vision care, and more.

Complementing this, two Dental Insurance plans cover everything from basic care to major restorations, with no deductibles. Subscribing to a Dental Plan requires enrolment in an Extended Health Insurance Plan.

If you would like to explore further and get an Odyssey health insurance quote to meet your unique needs, you can do so below and get results in a few moments.

Sun Life health insurance: Hassle-free policy access

Sun Life offers three health plans, all with differing levels of coverage which allows you to find a plan that is tailored to your specific needs. It has a comprehensive online portal and an app that allows you hands-on access to your claims and benefits information even while on the go.

The policies of Sun Life personal health insurance are a sensible choice if you do not have benefits through your employer, you are losing your group coverage, or if you would like additional benefits not offered by your employer’s or province’s healthcare (like AHCIP in Alberta, MSP in BC) and drug coverage.

Note that you must have provincial or territorial health and drug coverage to apply for personal health insurance.

Green Shield Canada health insurance: Extensive options for every budget

Green Shield Canada, also known as simply GSC, is a non-profit insurance provider. The GSC health insurance can be bundled with other policies to save money.

Green Shield offers more affordable packages than some of its competitors, especially for younger customers who are currently in good health. This could be a great economical choice for non-smoking young adults.

However, its dental insurance policy must be purchased separately for basic plans or as an add-on. But it is one of those rare insurances that covers pre-existing conditions and does not require medical questionnaire for its basic plan.

Desjardins health insurance review: Wide coverage

Desjardins is a leading provider of insurance in Canada with an illustrious history. It offers private health insurance to bridge the gaps in the provincial healthcare programs like the MSP in BC or the AHCIP in Alberta.

Desjardins health insurance plans can be bundled with other policies like travel, life, dental in order to save money. Compared to competitors, Desjardins premiums are slightly higher however they offer a wider range of coverages.

That said, in some ways the company is behind some of its competitors as it does not offer the ability to sign up for a policy online.

Canada Life health insurance: Best guaranteed policies

Founded in 1847, Canada Life is the country's first home-grown insurer and today has more than 12 million clients. Canada Life offers a variety of levels of health insurance, all with differing levels of coverage which are designed to suit your needs, including prescription drugs, dental care, vision care and more.

They have comprehensive optional add-ons for you to further personalize your health plan. They also offer a ten-day look-and-see period. You can cancel your policy with no penalty during the first ten days.

Canada Life health insurance is a choice for you if you do not have medical benefits through your employer, you are losing your group coverage, or if you would like additional benefits not offered by your employer’s or province’s health and drug coverage like the Ontario Health Insurance Plan or the MSP in BC.

Note that you must have provincial or territorial health and drug coverage to apply for private health insurance Quebec plans.

How does health insurance work in Quebec?

If you are a resident of Quebec, it is legally necessary to have either public or private health insurance in order to receive services including prescription medication coverage.

Private health insurance refers to any form of insurance coverage purchased by a person or provided by employer from a private insurance company rather than or in addition to coverage funded by Quebec's provincial government.

Public health insurance is managed by la Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec or RAMQ, for short. RAMQ’s public health plan is also known as the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan.

The RAMQ provides coverage to Quebec residents who do not have access to a private health insurance plan. This includes people who are:

• Not eligible for a private plan (for example, self-employed workers)
• Age 65 or over not enrolled in a private plan
• Recipients of financial assistance and holders of a claim slip (carnet de réclamation)
• Children of people covered by the public plan

How to enroll in the Quebec Health Insurance Plan?

As soon as you arrive in Quebec, you must register for the Quebec Health Insurance Plan. But how to get health insurance in Quebec? To register for health insurance, you will need to complete a paper form application. You can obtain it by calling the RAMQ or by going to one of its offices with the necessary documents.

Registration cannot be done online. It is important that you contact RAMQ within 15 days of your arrival in Québec. This will avoid running into any delays in your health insurance coverage. A three-month waiting period applies to all new applicants. A private health insurance plan will protect you during the waiting period.

Who is eligible to RAMQ

Applying for the Quebec Health Insurance Plan? People eligible for the public plan are:

• People without access to a private plan
• Children under age 18 living in Quebec with parents do not have access to a private plan
• Children under age 18 temporarily living in Quebec for more than 6 months
• People age 65 and over who have not joined a private plan
• Recipients of last-resort financial assistance and certain other holders of claim slips (carnet de réclamation)

How much does the Quebec Health Insurance Plan cost?

Rates for the Quebec Health Insurance Plan updated every year on July 1st. Some people are eligible for free coverage. Pharmacists are notified of rate changes and the eligibility requirements for free coverage. So how much is health insurance in Quebec?

The current rates are:

• An annual premium is paid through your income tax return for $0 to $731 per person according to net family income (previous year was $0 to $710)
• A monthly deductible of $22.90 is in effect on your first monthly purchase at a pharmacy. (Last year was $22.25)
• 33% co-insurance: You owe a percentage of the cost of covered drugs that you pay once the deductible has been paid (Last year was 35%)

The maximum amount that you could pay for covered drugs:

• $99.65 per month
• $1,196 per year

Exceptionally, people over 65 who receive less than 94% of the max Guaranteed Income Supplement are capped at contributions of $56.17 per month of $674 per year.

Some recipients are entitled to coverage free of charge. These include people:

• Under 18 not covered under a private plan
• Between 18 to 25:
  • Attending an educational institution on a full-time basis
  • Without a spouse
  • Living with their parents
  • Without access to a private plan

What does RAMQ cover?

If you're wondering what does Quebec health insurance cover? The Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) manages the Quebec Health Insurance Plan for all Quebec residents. RAMQ covers basic medical costs, however, many comprehensive services are not covered:

Benefit	Coverage
Prescription drugs	You pay a deductible and coinsurance amount. Once you reach the maximum monthly contribution all remaining expenses that month are covered by RAMQ.
Ambulance	Covered for in-province land and air ambulance when medically necessary if you are 65 years or older, injured in a road or work accident or transported between two clinics.
Dental Benefits	You are covered for some in-hospital dental surgeries depending on your age. Children 10 and younger are also covered for routine services and one examination per year.
Vision Care	Covered for eye exams if you are under 18 years old or 65 years and older.
Services in Public Hospitals	Covered
Services in Private Hospitals	Not covered
Paramedical Services	Not covered
Medical Supplies	Some coverage is available
Accidental Death and Dismemberment	Not covered
Out of Country	Partially covered

What does RAMQ not cover?

A serious medical condition or injury can lead to substantial bills. Did you know that basic conditions and services are covered by RAMQ, but not everything else? Services and treatments that are not covered by RAMQ include:

• Physiotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractics, osteopathy, etc.
• Dental care
• Vision care
• Cosmetic procedures
• Sessions with psychologists
• Laboratory and diagnostic services such as blood work, MRI and CT scans (except those performed in hospitals)
• Bandages, splints and other medical supplies.
• Treatment of varicose veins by injection in a private medical office

If you find yourself in need of treatments not covered under RAMQ and you do not have a private health insurance plan, you will be responsible for paying your medical expenses out of pocket. We recommend you obtain private health coverage to avoid finding yourself in that situation.

Here are examples of what non-covered services could cost in Quebec:

Service	Average price
Dental crowns	$2,500
Treatment for depression with a psychologist	$1,100
Vision test	$42
Osteopathy session	$80
3 days in a private room at the hospital	$306

As you can see, RAMQ does not necessarily cover all medical expenses. In that light, it's critical to have the best health insurance Quebec coverage. While it may seem like a time-consuming process, we've made it simple for you. You could use our comparator below and quickly compare prices, coverage, and even get quotes from the best health insurance Quebec providers in no time:

Compare The Best Health Insurance Plans and Rates on the market!

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Does RAMQ cover seniors?

RAMQ covers healthcare services for seniors in Quebec, including residents aged 65 and older. It provides coverage for a wide range of medical services, hospitalizations, doctor visits, prescription medications, and other necessary healthcare needs.

Seniors with RAMQ coverage can access essential medical care without the need for additional private insurance. However, there might be certain services or treatments that require supplementary insurance for optimal coverage.

What does private health insurance cover in Quebec?

Where RAMQ provides basic coverage, private insurance helps reimburse other services. With a private health insurance plan, you could get coverage for:

• dental care
• vision care
• psychologist sessions
• alternative medicine
• plastic surgery
• podiatry
• bandages, splints or other medical equipment etc.

Dental Insurance Quebec

RAMQ) offers some dental care services to seniors aged 65 and over. This includes basic dental care such as annual examinations, emergency examinations, X-rays, local and general anesthesia, and tooth and root extractions. However, the coverage does not extend to all necessary dental treatments, leaving significant gaps.

Why You Need a Private Dental Insurance Quebec Plan:

• Comprehensive Coverage: Private insurance can cover services not included by RAMQ, such as cleanings, scaling, fluoride treatments, and more extensive procedures like crowns and bridges.
• Reduced Out-of-Pocket Costs: With private insurance, you can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses for major dental work.
• Access to More Dentists: Private plans may provide access to a broader network of dental professionals.
• Enhanced Preventive Care: Regular preventive care services are often included, helping to maintain oral health and prevent more serious issues.

Can you combine health and dental insurance in Quebec?

Yes, you can. There are also standalone dental insurance plans. Additionally, many health insurance plans offer a dental coverage add-on. Check out our comparator at the top of this page for the best private health insurance Quebec plans.

Who can pretend to private health insurance in Quebec?

Private health insurance plans are designed with all residents of Quebec in mind. However, they are particularly important for people who are not able to get coverage through RAMQ. Non-eligible people include:

• Temporary Quebec residents over 18
• People accommodated in a public or private facility under an agreement operating a residential and long-term care centre
• Beneficiaries of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement or the Northeastern Quebec Agreement
• Indians registered with Indigenous Services Canada and Inuit recognized by this ministry

A private health insurance plan is also right for you if you want more comprehensive coverage. It will provide you with protection against having to pay high medical costs out-of-pocket.

How much does private health insurance cost in Quebec?

As with any insurance plan, the premium for private health insurance Quebec will vary depending on:

• Age
• Gender
• Smoker status
• Pre-existing conditions

5 Tips to Get Affordable or Cheap Health Insurance in Quebec

1. Shop Around: Compare multiple insurance providers and their offerings to find the one that offers the best value for your needs. Use HelloSafe comparator to compare best health insurance Quebec plans, coverage, prices, and get quick quotes.
2. Assess Your Needs: Understand what healthcare services you require most frequently. Opt for a plan that covers those services while excluding those you rarely use. This can help you avoid paying for unnecessary coverage.
3. Consider Deductibles: Opting for a plan with higher deductibles can often result in lower monthly premiums.
4. Bundle Coverage: If you need other types of insurance like dental, vision, or travel insurance, consider bundling them with your health insurance. Insurance providers often offer discounts for combining multiple types of coverage.
5. Check Government Programs: Look into government-subsidized health insurance programs that may be available in Quebec. These programs can provide financial assistance to individuals or families with lower incomes.

Are health insurance premiums tax-deductible in Quebec, Canada?

You can deduct medical expenses including health insurance premiums that you pay for yourself, your spouse, or your dependents. The expenses must have been paid during the 12 months ending in the tax year for which you are filing the return and have been paid to a licensed healthcare professional for medical or dental services.

The amount of expenses has to be above 3% of your net income. You will need to claim them on both your federal and Quebec return.

How to get a Quebec health card?

In order to obtain a Quebec Health Card, you first need to complete the application process to register for health insurance Quebec. The documents required to submit your application will be dependent on whether you are settling in Quebec, working temporarily, or will be studying in Quebec. You can find it on Régie de l’assurance maladie website.

After you have gathered the necessary documents, you will need to schedule an appointment online on Régie de l’assurance maladie so that a RAMQ agent can call you and mail you a personalised form. Once you have been deemed eligible for RAMQ, you will receive your card in approximately 30 days.

You must present a valid Health Insurance Card to be entitled to the services covered under the Quebec Health Insurance Plan. After you have registered, you will need to renew your card periodically. If you have any questions about the status of your application or health card, you may contact RAMQ by phone toll-free at 1-800-561-9749.

How to renew your Quebec health card?

You are required to renew your Health Insurance Card before it expires. Otherwise, you will have to pay for any services covered under RAMQ that you receive and then apply for reimbursement once your card has been renewed. You should receive a form titled Renewal Notice three months before your card expires.

In order to renew a card that has expired for more than six months, you will have to pay a fee of $25 plus the cost of having your photo taken.

If you lost your health card, did not receive the renewal form or need to make a change of address, you must order a Renewal Notice form which will be mailed to you within 14 days. You will get a personalised renewal form based on your situation. You can request it under the "Renew a Health Insurance Card" section.

What is Quebec’s health booklet?

The Quebec Health Booklet, or le Carnet santé Québec, is an online portal that allows you to have access to your medical records as well as utilize services such as making an appointment with a provider.

Some other services you can find in the Health Booklet are:

• Access to your medication lists
• Lab tests, imaging results as well as access to Covid-19 test results
• Medical treatment you have received that is paid on a fee-for-service basis
• See the list of health workers you have consulted with
• Schedule, cancel, or see your appointment history
• Register with the Québec Family Doctor Finder (GAMF) and change your information if necessary

To be eligible for the Quebec Health Booklet, you must have a health insurance card and be 14 years old or older. Health information of children under 14 years of age is included in their parents’ records.

How to contact the RAMQ?

If you need to contact RAMQ, you can do so in several ways.

By phone:

• Quebec area: 418 646-4636
• Montreal area: 514 864-3411
• Throughout Quebec: 1 800 561-9749
• Outside Quebec: 514 864-3411

Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. They are open on Wednesdays from 10am to 4:30pm and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. If you need to renew or replace a Quebec health card, you can visit a RAMQ service point in person.

By mail to:
Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec
C. P. 6600, succ. Terminus
Québec (Québec) G1K 7T3

What health insurance is best for international students in Quebec?

International students from some countries are eligible for RAMQ if they are a full-time student and from a country that has a social security agreement with Quebec. These include:

• Belgium
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Greece
• Luxembourg
• Norway
• Portugal
• Romania
• Sweden

It is legally necessary for all students studying in Canada to have international student health insurance Quebec. Some schools may offer an insurance plan or allow you to opt to take out private insurance from the university.

Are there family insurance plans for health in Quebec?

Yes, in Quebec and the rest of Canada, there are family health insurance plans that cover medical services for all family members. These plans are cheaper per person due to group discounts, risk pooling, administrative efficiency, and negotiated rates with healthcare providers. Families benefit from comprehensive coverage at a lower overall cost compared to individual plans. You can take a look at our guide on Family Health Insurance for the best plans, costs, and more.