Quebecers pay upfront for care in other provinces, often facing only partial reimbursement
Quebecers faced more than $10m in out-of-pocket health care costs for services received in other provinces last year, according to data obtained by The Canadian Press.
Unlike most other provinces, Quebec has not adopted reciprocal billing agreements for most medical services, requiring residents to pay upfront when seeking care outside the province and then submit claims to Quebec’s public health insurance board—a process that often results in only partial reimbursement.
In 2024, Quebecers submitted $12.6m in expenses for out-of-province medical services, but the health insurance board reimbursed just $2.3m, as reported by The Canadian Press.
Health Canada noted that Quebec residents are reimbursed at Quebec’s own rates, which are often lower than the rates charged in other provinces.
This gap can leave individuals with significant unreimbursed costs.
The Quebec Health Department encourages residents to purchase private medical insurance before travelling, acknowledging that the difference in rates between provinces can be substantial.
Physicians in other provinces, such as those in eastern Ontario, frequently bill Quebec patients at higher association rates rather than government plan rates, according to Charles Shaver, a retired Ottawa internist.
Shaver described the situation as “not a good situation,” highlighting the financial burden on patients.
While Quebec has signed reciprocal agreements for hospital insurance—allowing residents to access hospital care across Canada without direct payment—there are no plans to extend such agreements to other medical services, as per the Quebec Health Department.
Under the Canada Health Act, provinces and territories must cover emergency medical and hospital services for their residents when they are temporarily outside their home province, but this protection does not extend to all medical services.
The Canadian Press’s health coverage is supported by a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for this journalistic content.
