In 2025, choosing the right health insurance in Quebec is more crucial than ever. With rising prices, a wide range of offers and the need to supplement public coverage, it’s easy to get lost. This comprehensive guide presents average prices, adapted solutions and practical advice to help you make the right choice.
Why take out health insurance in Quebec?
In Quebec, RAMQ provides basic coverage for hospital care, visits to general practitioners and some drugs. However, this public insurance only covers a limited selection of essential services.
But this scheme remains limited:
- Drugs reimbursed only if they appear on the official RAMQ list
- No coverage for dental, optical or paramedical care
- Long access times for specialist consultations
Another major problem is the difficulty of finding a family doctor. Many general practitioners are no longer accepting new patients. And yet, if you want to see a specialist in the public network, you have to see them first. Otherwise, there are walk-in clinics with long opening hours. But waiting times are often very long.
Specialists are often in short supply in the public sector. For a quick consultation, you have to turn to private clinics. These are more expensive and not covered by RAMQ.
That’s why many Quebecers – and even more expatriates – opt for supplementary or primary private health insurance, to extend their coverage, reduce delays and benefit from private care without unexpected costs.
In addition to covering hospital expenses, routine care and even repatriation (an essential benefit for foreigners), these insurances allow you to obtain correct reimbursements for items that the RAMQ does not cover, such as :
- Hospitalization in a semi-private or private room
- Dental and optical care
- Paramedical care (physiotherapy, chiropractic, etc.)
- Consultations in private or specialized clinics
- Medical repatriation in case of emergency
Taking out private health insurance in Quebec is an effective way to protect yourself against the limitations of the public plan, and to access quality care quickly and without unpleasant financial surprises.
How much does health insurance cost in Quebec?
The price of private health insurance in Quebec depends on a number of criteria: age, state of health, type of coverage, group or individual plan, deductibles and ceilings.
Average prices in 2025 :
| Type of cover | Approximate annual cost |
| Individual health insurance | 500 – 1 500 $ |
| Group plan (employee portion) | 200 – 1 000 $ |
| Dental insurance only | 200 – 600 $ |
| Top-of-the-range plan with private hospitalization | > 1 800 $ |
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What health insurance solutions are available in Quebec?
Public health insurance plan (RAMQ)
In Quebec, all permanent residents and citizens are automatically covered by the RAMQ. This inexpensive coverage, with an annual premium of up to $731, covers hospital care, consultations with general practitioners and certain medications. However, RAMQ has several important limitations: it does not cover dental, optical or paramedical care, and waiting times to consult a specialist can be long due to the insufficient number of professionals available. For basic needs, RAMQ is a good foundation, but it is often insufficient to provide fast, comprehensive care.
Group insurance through the employer
For employees, employer-sponsored group insurance is generally the best option. It offers excellent value for money, not least because the employer often contributes 50% to 100% of the premiums. Coverage is generally more extensive than RAMQ, often including drugs, private hospitalization, dental care and sometimes services such as physiotherapy or psychology. It is important, however, to carefully examine the coverage offered and any out-of-pocket costs before signing up.
Individual private insurance
Self-employed workers, members of small companies without a group plan, and expatriates can take out individual private health insurance. These contracts are modular, allowing you to choose the cover that best suits your needs: hospitalization, dental or optical care, medication, repatriation, etc. Some formulas do not require a medical questionnaire, making it easier to obtain insurance, although these options generally have lower reimbursement ceilings.
International health insurance for expatriates
For French expatriates in Quebec, international health insurance – particularly that offered by French companies – represents a particularly advantageous solution. They combine local expertise thanks to partnerships with healthcare networks in Quebec, accessible French-speaking customer service and extensive coverage that includes stays outside Canada, for example in the United States. These contracts can include additional benefits such as baggage protection, repatriation or emergency airfare.
First-dollar policies are particularly popular with expatriate families. They reimburse medical expenses from the first dollar spent, and offer a wide variety of formulas, for short or long periods. However, they require a medical questionnaire on enrolment, which may lead to additional premiums or exclusions if you have a medical history.
Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE)
CFE is another attractive option for French expatriates, especially those with a medical history, as it does not require a medical questionnaire. It also enables you to maintain your French Social Security entitlements and continue to receive reimbursements on your return to France. Nonetheless, its coverage is limited, as it does not cover repatriation or certain specific treatments. It is therefore often necessary to take out a supplementary health insurance policy, which increases the overall cost and can complicate administrative procedures.
How to choose the right health insurance in Quebec?
Here are the criteria to compare:
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– Deductible and co-insurance: The higher the deductible, the lower the premium.
– Annual reimbursement ceilings: Choose high ceilings, especially for frequent treatments.
– Digital services and health bonuses: Some insurers offer wellness programs, 24/7 telemedicine and incentive discounts.
Tips for saving on health insurance in Quebec
Taking out health insurance in Quebec often represents a substantial budget, especially for expatriates. To help you pay the right price without sacrificing the quality of your coverage, here are a few practical tips.
Always compare several quotes before committing yourself. Santexpat.fr lets you quickly compare quotes from leading international insurers. Taking the time to do this can save you several hundred euros a year.
Next, tailor your coverage to your actual needs. There’s no need to take out insurance that’s too comprehensive if you already benefit from good group coverage through your employer, or if you have few specific needs. For example, if you’ve been wearing glasses for a long time without any problems, you can reduce the optical portion.
Quebec health insurance, what you need to know
In 2025, choosing the right health insurance in Quebec is essential to protect your health and your budget. Whether you’re an employee, self-employed or expatriate, compare offers, tailor your coverage to your real needs and opt for group plans whenever possible.
To find the Quebec health insurance best suited to your profile and get personalized quotes, use our online comparator on santexpat.fr. Protect yourself effectively while keeping your healthcare costs under control!
