Quebec residents who are not insured for prescription drugs are required to participate in RAMQ’s public prescription drug insurance plan. Approximately 3.6 million Quebecers are presently insured by the public plan.
These individuals pay a contribution which is remitted to Revenu Québec annually when filing the tax return. They also share in the cost of the drugs that they purchase at the pharmacy through a monthly deductible and a coinsurance (percentage of drug costs).
RAMQ adjusts the contribution rates every year on July 1st.
This year’s rates (valid from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020)
- The maximum annual contribution has increased from $616 to $636 per person (based on net family income)
- The monthly deductible has increased from $19.90 to $21.75
- The coinsurance has increased from 34.9% to 37%
- The maximum monthly contribution has increased from $90.58 to $93.08 (for persons age 65 or over who receive 1% to 93% of the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the maximum monthly contribution increased from $53.16 to $54.08)
Approximately 878,000 people are covered free of charge, including:
- Children of persons covered under the public plan that are under 18 years or age or full-time students under age 26
- Persons with a functional impairment that occurred before age 18
- Holders of a valid claim slip
- Persons age 65 and over who receive 94% to 100% of the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
For additional details, consult RAMQ’s brochure for members covered under the public prescription drug insurance plan.
No action required for employers
When purchasing prescription drugs, employees and dependents covered by a group insurance plan must not incur out-of-pocket expenses which exceed the maximum contribution set by RAMQ. This year, the maximum annual contribution has increased from $1,087 to $1,117. The maximum contribution is managed by insurers thus requiring no intervention from plan sponsors.
