Health Insurance

If you are moving from another Canadian province, you will be covered by that province’s health care system for 3 months after taking up residence in Quebec. Shortly after arriving in Quebec (within the first few days, ideally), you should apply for RAMQ coverage, which will take effect the first day of the 3rd month after your arrival.

RAMQ (the Régie) is Quebec’s provincial health care system, that makes it free to see a doctor and free to receive emergency treatment. RAMQ does not cover dental care or vision care for adults. In addition to RAMQ, Quebec requires every resident to have drug insurance to help cover the cost of medication--if you are eligible for insurance through work, a spouse, or any other way, you MUST register with that plan. If you are not eligible for any private drug plan, then you MUST register with the provincial plan. More info on that here.

For graduate students who are covered by RAMQ, you will get your drug and dental insurance through Concordia. It will be billed as part of your student fees. Info about the plan can be found here.

You can find the eligibility requirements for RAMQ here. To register with RAMQ, you have to go in person to prove your identity at the downtown Montreal office on a weekday during working hours, or else you can start the process over the phone and be mailed a physical form to fill out. More info about registration can be found here.