Health insurance in Québec - just sharing information

[QuebecOkie]

I called the office of the Régie de l'assurance maladie today to see if I qualify for a health card. (Long story short - there's a snag with my insurance through my military husband's work, and I *may* or *may not* be insured currently.) I spoke with a VERY nice gentleman with pretty fluent English. He was very up-to-speed on immigration issues, as his wife immigrated from the Philippines. Once I get AIP, or if I have a visitor record case type 17 (which he said I should receive if I have to request a second extension to my visitor record), I can call back and start the process to register for health insurance. Those with a study or work permit will qualify to register right away. There is a three-month waiting period, and then you're covered.

Website for the office of the Régie de l'assurance maladie: http://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/Pages/home.aspx

I've seen various discussions about provincial health insurance and thought I'd share what I've learned. The representative was QUITE surprised to learn that I received my CSQ in February and was still waiting for AIP, haha.

 

[MaxLet]

Hi QuebecOkie!
Good to know our options! Thanks for sharing! Only concern is..now with 10m of 1st stage, when will we get aip? :-( I think I read a post from you having to pay 200$ for some sort of health inssurance? Or to quebec? Not sure, please let me know if it was you and details about WHY? I mean, what was the concept? Since we kind of dont exist for them! Grrrrrrrrr will we be force to pay a service we dont get?
Thanks again!

Good luck and God bless

 

[Tomorisu]

Hi QuebecOkie!
Thanks for sharing the information. I just checked my visitor visa (this is a second extension) and previous visitor visa. My case types of both are 10. I don't know the meaning of the number, though. Anyway, I should wait for the AIP.

@ MaxLet
I also paid $200 to Quebec, even though I haven't used the health insurance of Quebec. Maybe this will help you.
http://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/citoyen/impots/guide/aideligne/ligne448.aspx
As a general rule, you must pay a health contribution of $200 per person ($200 per spouse in the case of a couple) if
you were resident in Québec on December 31, 2012; and
you were 18 or older on December 31, 2012 (or on the day you ceased to be resident in Canada in 2012).


Still I don't understand this system well . Indeed, I have been in Quebec since May 2012. But I don't think I have any proof as a resident. My status currently is a 'Visitor'.

 

[QuebecOkie]

Yes, like Timorisu said, I had to pay $200 to Québec for health services, *even though* I am not eligible for health coverage at this time, and I cannot work in Canada. *shrug* It's just one of those things you have to accept, like the HEFTY "Bienvenue au Québec" (Welcome to Québec) tax you pay when you buy a home here.

As for when you'll get AIP, I suppose we'll know when we know. Friday is 10 months since my app was received by CIC. No word for me yet, but I can't help but home I'll hear something soon.

 

[jeanmichel5678]

does it apply for outland people?
Ive been living with my partner since february and im here as a tourist.
I have my CSQ.

Does it mean something?

 

[Tomorisu]

does it apply for outland people?
Ive been living with my partner since february and im here as a tourist.
I have my CSQ.

Does it mean something?

I guess you have a 'Guide For Sponsored Persons' which you downloaded when you applied for CSQ.

From 'Guide For Sponsored Persons':
The Québec Health Insurance Plan
Access to the Québec Health Insurance Plan is governed by rules that, with some exceptions, provide for a three-month waiting period following registration before a person can benefit from coverage under the plan. Consequently, if you are accepted, we recommend that you register with the plan in your first days after arriving in Québec by contacting the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec. However, if your application for permanent residence is processed in Canada, it is to your advantage that you register as soon as you receive your selection certificate and the letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada confirming that your application for permanent residence is being processed within Canada.

I think it doesn't apply for outland people unless their landing. But I'm not sure. As you are here in Quebec now, it's better to call and ask it to RAMQ.

 

[QuebecOkie]

Yes, it's easy enough to call and ask them. The gentleman I reached was quite bilingual (which is by NO means always the case in Québec) and quite friendly and helpful.

 

[frege]

does it apply for outland people?
Ive been living with my partner since february and im here as a tourist.
I have my CSQ.

Does it mean something?

No, in this case you can't. However, once you get PR, it is possible you'll be exempt from the three-month waiting period if you're from one of these countries:

Belgium;
Denmark;
Finland;
France;
Greece;
Luxembourg;
Norway;
Portugal; and
Sweden.