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The Canadian Travellers’ Report Card
PRESERVATION OF HEALTH COVERAGE FOR FREQUENT TRAVELLERS
A+
(2006: A)
Québec residents may be out of the province for 183 days (or six months), consecutive or not, in a calendar year
and still maintain their health coverage. In addition, an unlimited number of short-term trips, each not longer than
21 consecutive days, can be taken without counting toward the 183-day limit. Persons who leave Québec for 183
days or more during a calendar year (maximum one calendar year), on the condition that such an absence does not
occur more than once every seven years retain coverage. In this special circumstance the provincial health ministry
must be notifed before your departure. Québec’s policy is among the most fexible in Canada.
Change since last report:
Additional exemption for those spending more than 183 days out of province once
every seven years.
Recommendations:
While permitting six months of travel is a good step, this period should be extended to eight
months.
ACCESS TO EMERGENCY HEALTH COVERAGE WHEN TRAVELLING
D-
(2006: D-)
Québec’s practice for reimbursing Canadians for emergency health services while abroad contravenes sub-para-
graph 11(1)(b)(ii) of the Canada Health Act. The maximum rate paid for hospital in-patient services is $100 per day.
While Québec would not disclose its per-day rate provided for emergency services required while within Québec,
$100 is well below the average rates paid for in-province services in other Canadian jurisdictions. Québec reim-
burses emergency out-patient hospital services required by travellers at a rate of $50 per day. This is also below
the average rate per day paid for in-province services in other jurisdictions. Québec will reimburse up to $220 for
each haemodialysis treatment and the related medication. Québec pays emergency visit fees at Québec rates to
out-of-country physicians, optometrists and dentists.
Change since last report:
None.
Recommendations:
Reimburse emergency in-patient and out-patient services required by travellers at the same
rate per day as that paid for similar services within the province and continue to update these rates to match
changes in real costs.
ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR USE DURING TRAVEL
C+
(2006: C+)
Québec has no published plan limiting the quantity of prescription drugs that will be covered by the province’s
drug program. The provincial website is clear: Before going on a trip, residents can obtain an extended supply of
prescription drugs. Those with public plan coverage must pay the deductible and the co-insurance for each month
the refll covers. Québec will not reimburse plan members for prescriptions purchased while outside the province
Change since last report:
Requirement that those with public plan coverage must pay the deductible and the co-
insurance for each month the refll covers.
Recommendations:
Enshrine in clear legislation or regulations the right of travellers to a supply of prescription
medication at least equal to the six consecutive months. Reimburse the cost of medication prescribed by appro-
priately accredited physicians and dispensed outside Québec.
Québec