In time for the annual construction holiday, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) issued a statement reminding all vacationers traveling to the US that health services provided outside of Quebec are not necessarily covered by the provincial health plan.

The provincial health insurance provider recommends that travelers purchase private pre-departure insurance. The coverage will prevent any “unpleasant surprises” related to fees charged for medical services not covered by RAMQ or that are not available at the same rate as in Quebec.

Such “surprises” include fees for transportation by ambulance.

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On RAMQ’s website, the insurance provider noted that the services it can cover outside Quebec are more or less the same services it typically covers for: medical, dental and optometric services. RAMQ stressed, on the other hand, that it would only reimburse up to the applicable Quebec rates, even if a customer paid more for a service.

Most hospital services can be covered in Canada if a customer presents his or her Health Insurance Card. In other places, however, hospital services are covered only following a sudden illness or accident. RAMQ offered a reminder that the reimbursements it issues are up to a maximum of $100 per day of hospitalization and $50 per day of healthcare received at a hospital outpatient clinic.


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