Quebec residents travelling elsewhere in Canada are being advised to buy private health or travel insurance, even for short trips, due to limited coverage under the province's public health system.
Unlike other provinces, Quebec has not signed reciprocal billing agreements for medical services. This means Quebecers must pay upfront when visiting a doctor in another province and are only reimbursed at Quebec’s lower rates.
According to data obtained by The Canadian Press, in 2024, Quebecers submitted $12.6 million in medical fees to the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) for care received elsewhere in Canada, but were reimbursed just $2.3 million. Patients ended up paying more than $10 million out of pocket.
Private coverage essential for interprovincial travel
The Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services recommends that residents carry private medical insurance when travelling outside the province to avoid unexpected costs. The reimbursement differences between Quebec and other provinces can amount to thousands of dollars, particularly for procedures such as emergency consultations, diagnostic tests, or minor surgeries.
Health Canada confirmed that reciprocal billing agreements allow most Canadians to use their health cards directly when accessing care in another province, without paying up front. Because Quebec is not part of that system for physician services, Quebecers are financially exposed if they require non-hospital treatment outside the province.
Emergency hospital care is still covered nationwide under the Canada Health Act, but clinic and outpatient services remain the patient’s responsibility in Quebec’s case.
Financial consequences for patients
The reimbursement gap often forces Quebecers to pay the full fee charged by physicians in other provinces, which can exceed Quebec’s approved rates. Some clinics near the border require payment before treatment.
Given these conditions, experts and health authorities alike agree that private insurance is an essential safeguard for Quebecers travelling anywhere within Canada— providing a financial buffer against the province’s unique approach to out-of-province medical billing.
