The Québec health insurance card gives you access to public health services. Only cards issued by the RAMQ (Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec) are valid.
If you don’t have a valid card, you have to pay for the services you receive.
Take note of the expiry date
Your card has a limited validity period. Depending on your situation, you should receive a renewal notice in the mail three months before your card expires. It is recommended that you renew your card before it expires.
Exceptional cases
Sometimes you don’t need to show your card to receive care under the public health insurance plan. This is the case in emergency situations and, among others, for:
- Children under age one who don’t have a card yet (the parent’s card is used instead);
- Youths between the ages of 14 and 17 who consult a doctor without their parents’ permission.
Reimbursement requests
Do you have a valid card, but you didn’t have it with you at a healthcare facility? Have you paid for covered services despite being enrolled in the public plan? You may be entitled to reimbursement.
Before submitting a reimbursement request to the RAMQ, make sure you have a valid health insurance card. If you don’t, be sure to renew or replace it first.
You have one year from the date you received the services to submit your reimbursement request. Remember to include a copy of the invoice or receipt.
Have you lost or broken your card? Has it been stolen? Contact the RAMQ to get a new one. Complete this online form or call 1-800-561-9749.
Questions or problems?
To find out more about health insurance, visit the RAMQ website. It contains useful information, such as what you can do if you’re incorrectly charged.
Do you wish to complain about RAMQ services? Contact the Protecteur du citoyen. Our services are confidential and free of charge.
