5 things to know when you consult in another Canadian province

Your taking vacation out of the Quebec province and you have prepared weeks in advance. However, some contingencies are uncontrollable. If, during a trip you need health care, you’ll be more informed with this list.

1. Your health insurance card should be following you everywhere.

If you go in a clinic or to the office of a health professional, present right away your health insurance card. Some professionals accept the card, so you can receive the needed treatments without having anything to pay. They are directly remunerated by the Quebec Health Insurance Plan (RAMQ) with whom they sometimes take agreements. For hospitals, there’s an interprovince agreement which gives you the access to the same measures as in Quebec with the public plan card.

2. keep all your receipts.

In the case where your health insurance card is of no use when you need healthcare, you will need some documents. Be sure to have the originals of the receipts you will get. If you make payments with your credit card, keep a copy of the payment slip. When it is made by paycheck, save a picture of each sides of it with the professional’s or the establishment name. In brief, keep all the documents that details the interventions, the received services and their price. This will give you the opportunity to reclaim them to the RAMQ.

3. Get inform on your coverage.

The health insurance card does not cover every charge you could have in a health-related incident. It is giving you the same limited coverage as in Quebec. You are only covered with the doctors, dentists and optometrists. Any other healthcare is not insured and what is covered is in the precise beacons and in the same fees as in Quebec. If you spend more, the fees are at your charge.

4. Do not forget about your medication.

If you take prescribed medication, bring enough for the duration of your trip. You can consult your pharmacist before your leaving to obtain the needed quantity for period of your absence. Medicines, prescribed or not, bought out of the province of Quebec, is not covered by the Quebec Health Insurance Plan.

5. Prevent the worse.

Before leaving, get a private insurance. You will be more reassured that you will not have surprise fees that you will have to pay on the spot. Or else you could at least get them reimbursed quickly.