Health care

In Québec, health care and social services are accessible to all. Its universal health insurance plan allows the entire population to receive free hospital and medical services. These services are financed by Québec’s tax system, which allows for a more equitable distribution of risk in society.

Health insurance

All Québec residents are eligible for the health insurance plan. They need only register with the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) to obtain their health insurance card, which allows them to receive the health care, medical and hospital services that are covered by the plan.

People who immigrate to Québec must contact the RAMQ upon their arrival so that they do not delay their eligibility. Some services, such as those related to pregnancy or health problems of an infectious nature, can be provided for free during the waiting period.

Coverage

The plan covers essential medical care, but not specific treatments like aesthetic surgery and alternative medicine. For more information, go to the Web site of the ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, Québec’s department of health and social services.

Prescription drug insurance

The prescription drug insurance plan provides Quebecers with basic coverage for prescription drugs. This plan is intended for those who are not covered by a private insurance plan. For additional information about plan eligibility, cost and covered prescription drugs, go to the Web site of the RAMQ.

Health care network

The Québec health care network includes:

• nearly 300 public and private establishments
• over 3,000 community organizations
• nearly 2,000 medical clinics and private doctor’s offices

Some of the public establishments include:

• The centres de santé et de services sociaux (CSSS), which provide and coordinate prevention and health assessment services, as well as general and specialized hospital services, to the public in a local district.
• The centres d’hébergement et de soins de longue durée (CHSLD), which provide services both to people who have lost their autonomy and the elderly.
• The hospital centres, which provide short-term first-line, second-line and third-line general, specialized and psychiatric health care services.
• The rehabilitation centres, which offer health care and social services to people with a physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities and addicts.
• The centres de protection de l’enfance et de la jeunesse (CPEJ), which provide a wide variety of services to young people who have developmental or behavioural problems and their families.

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