Medical coverage: What you need to know
© Elijah O’Donell – Unsplash
More than a right, medical coverage is an obligation. But between the basic coverage offered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) and private insurance plans, it can be difficult to know where to start. For example, do you know exactly what is covered by the RAMQ? Are you aware of the alternatives available to you, like the group insurance plan offered to RQD member organizations? Whether you’re self-employed or a salaried employee with an organization, the following review will clear up some things and help you make the best choice for your health.
RQD Member Organizations
The RQD group insurance plan is available to members. This allows your full-time salaried employees to benefit from a plan that partially covers dental care and medical expenses (medication, osteopathy, physiotherapy, massage therapy, certain vaccines) and also includes 60-day travel insurance and long-term disability insurance, as well as critical illness and life insurance.
An excellent way to offer better working conditions in our environment and to encourage your employees to stay!
For further information, please contact:
Réjean Carbonneau, Project Manager
Conseil de la culture – Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches regionss
1-844-523-1333 / rejean.carbonneau@culture-quebec.qc.ca
Self-employed workers and salaried employees not covered by group insurance
Any worker who does not benefit from a private group insurance plan through his employer must contribute to the RAMQ when they file their taxes. How familiar are you with this basic coverage?
In addition to drug reimbursement, the medical services covered by the RAMQ health insurance plan are those that are medically necessary and performed by a general practitioner (also called a “family doctor”) or medical specialist.
Certain dental services are also covered for adults. These services must be performed in a hospital setting following injury or illness. Children under 10 receive many services free of charge (either in a dental clinic or in the hospital).
It is possible to obtain better coverage by subsribing to a private group insurance plan such as the Quebec Blue Cross, for example. You can get a quote by filling out a short application form on their website.
By way of comparison, with the RAMQ you may have to pay up to $667 for hospital care, emergency dental care, certain medical procedures, and drug reimbursement. Contributing to a private group insurance plan will cost you more, but more services will be available to you. For example, you will be covered for yearly check-ups and minor work at the dentist as well as for physiotherapy, osteopathy, medication, and more.
Depending on your profile, you could come out ahead by signing up for a private group insurance plan!
For further information, contact the RQD at info@quebecdanse.org.