Key Takeaways
- PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic plan is one of the best private health insurance plans in Quebec.
- Quebec’s RAMQ public health insurance plan doesn’t cover dental care, mental health services, paramedical services, and other key medical costs for most adults in the province.
- Quebec households spent an average of $2,870 on out-of-pocket healthcare costs in 2023.
- Sun Life and Manulife offer competitive health insurance products for some residents of Quebec.
Health insurance in Quebec 101
What’s covered by the government: The Quebec health insurance plan, Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Quebec (RAMQ), covers medically necessary services performed by physicians; certain oral surgeries performed in hospitals; vision care for children, seniors, and those with income assistance or visual impairments; and a wide range of pharmacy services and prescription drugs.
Quebec is unique among Canadian provinces because it requires all residents to have prescription drug insurance, either through the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan (PPDIP) or a private insurance plan.
What’s not: RAMQ lacks coverage for most dental services as well as paramedical services and mental health care for most residents of Quebec.
What’s the best health insurance in Quebec?
We’ve identified the best health insurance in Quebec by evaluating 65 products from 9 insurers in 3 categories:
- Customer service averages the scores given in real customer reviews on Google, the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and Insureye.
- Financial stability reports the grade given by reputable credit rating agencies A.M. Best, Morningstar DBRS, and S&P Global.
- Value for money measures how much coverage you can claim in return for every dollar paid in co-payments, premiums, and deductibles.
The result is a definitive ranking of the best health insurance plans for self-employed workers, seniors and everybody else in Quebec.
Plan |
Guaranteed Issue Classic |
Personal Health Insurance Enhanced Plan with Dental |
DrugPlus |
Type of plan |
Mid |
Premium |
Basic |
Monthly premiums* |
$147.48 for ages 21-44 |
$156.47 for ages 21-44 |
$91.50 for ages 21-44 |
Drug coverage |
70% of generic prescription drugs (up to $600/year) |
80% of first $5,000, then 100% of next $245,000/year |
100% of generic prescription drugs not covered by RAMQ |
Dental coverage |
80% of basic preventative and restorative services, plus 50% of major services in Year 3+ (up to $750 combined in Year 1 and $900 combined in Year 2+) |
80% of basic preventive and restorative services (up to $750/year), plus 50% of comprehensive and major services in Year 2+ (up to $500/year) and 60% of orthodontic services in Year 3+ up to a $1,500 lifetime maximum |
Not covered |
Vision coverage (every 2 years) |
$60 for eye exams and $250 for prescription eyewear and laser surgery |
$50 for eye exams and $300 for prescription eyewear and laser surgery (Year 2+) |
$70 for eye exams and $250 for prescription eyewear and laser surgery |
Paramedical coverage |
80% of visits to 9 professionals (up to $750/year combined) |
100% of visits to 11 professionals (up to $400/year per profession) |
80% of visits to 8 professionals (up to $500/year combined) |
Mental health coverage |
$100 per visit to a mental health professional (up to $800/year) |
Up to $1,500/year for psychology and social worker services |
$80/first visit or $65/visit for 15 subsequent visits to a mental health professional |
Emergency coverage |
100% of accidental dental services (up to $10,000/year), plus 100% of ground and air ambulance transportation |
100% of accidental dental services (up to $2,000/injury), plus 100% of ground and air ambulance transportation |
100% of accidental dental services (up to $2,000/year), plus 100% of ground and air ambulance transportation |
* Prices reflect the approximate costs for residents in the relevant age group in Quebec. They were last updated October 20th, 2025.
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1. Guaranteed Issue Classic from PolicyMe
Customer Service |
★★★★★ (4.6/5) |
Value for Money |
★★★★★ (4.6/5) |
Financial Stability |
A+ (A.M. Best) |
Next best plans |
Guaranteed Issue Economic, Guaranteed Issue Advanced |
Why it’s the best: The best private health insurance plan is one that offers comprehensive coverage without overcharging for healthcare services you won’t use. For many Quebec residents, PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic plan will hit that sweet spot, with reliable coverage in most areas without inflated premiums.
The Classic plan may be a particularly good fit for self-employed Canadians or families with a range of distinct medical needs, from basic vision care to major dental work, hearing aids, speech therapy, and mental health services.
Premiums start around $147.48/month for applicants ages 21-44 in Quebec.
- Diagnostics services are covered in Quebec
- Includes coverage for 9 paramedical professions
- Includes 24/7 access to telehealth online services
- No add-ons available
- No travel insurance
See how affordable term life insurance can be with PolicyMe.*
2. Personal Health Insurance Enhanced Plan with Dental from Sun Life
Customer Service |
★★★☆☆ (2.9/5) |
Value for Money |
★★★★★ (4.9/5) |
Financial Stability |
A+ (A.M. Best) |
Next best plans |
Personal Health Insurance Standard Plan, Personal Health Insurance Basic Plan |
Why we chose it: For those with a larger healthcare budget and higher medical care needs, Sun Life offers a premium health insurance plan that can supplement public health insurance for residents of Quebec. If you or your family members regularly access a wide range of medical care that’s not covered by the RAMQ provincial health plan, Sun Life’s robust coverage might be worth the investment.
Premiums start around $156.47/month for applicants ages 18-44 in Quebec. If you choose not to include dental coverage, premiums start at $95.75/month.
- No deductibles
- Coverage for smoking cessation medications and birth control
- Orthodontic coverage is available
- Medical questionnaire required
- Higher premiums vs. competitors
3. DrugPlus Plan from Manulife
Customer Service |
★★★☆☆ (2.7/5) |
Value for Money |
★★★★★ (4.8/5) |
Financial Stability |
A+ (A.M. Best) |
Next best plans |
ComboPlus Enhanced Plan |
Why we chose it: If you’re looking for a simplified private plan that targets prescription drug coverage without a lot of bells and whistles, Manulife’s DrugPlus plan could be a good option. Because it doesn’t include dental insurance and offers less coverage than competitors for things like paramedical services and mental health care, some individuals and families may be able to avoid overpaying for services they’re not using while still getting robust prescription drug coverage that can supplement RAMQ’s benefits.
Premiums start around $91.50/month for applicants ages 18-44 in Quebec.
- Low premiums
- Covers 100% of generic prescription drug costs not covered by RAMQ
- Ideal for individuals with high prescription costs but limited extended healthcare needs
- No dental insurance
- Limited coverage for emergency dental, paramedical services, mental health, and extended healthcare
Looking for something more budget-friendly?
If you’re trying to save money on healthcare but don’t want to drop dental and other key benefits, PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Economic plan is one of the cheapest health insurance plans in Canada while still offering coverage in all key areas.
What’s the best health insurance for seniors in Quebec?
Seniors in Quebec receive limited additional health benefits through RAMQ: a yearly vision exam for all adults aged 65 and older and extended prescription drug coverage for seniors receiving 94% or more of the Guaranteed Income Supplement.
But seniors’ medical needs go well beyond prescription drugs and vision care, and for those not receiving income supplements, RAMQ doesn’t offer additional coverage. What’s more, many retirees and other seniors are on a fixed income, meaning that low-cost health insurance coverage is a must.
For seniors in Quebec, private health insurance plans should be cost-effective and offer robust coverage in the areas they need most — whether that’s dental care, paramedical services, or extended health benefits. If you don’t need extended healthcare services like home care or medical equipment, PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Economic Plan, which starts at $137.89/month for seniors in Quebec, may be a good fit. Or, if you need a high level of coverage, the Guaranteed Issue Advanced Plan includes robust benefits across all areas of care with premiums starting at $233.49/month without a medical exam requirement.
Methodology
There are many points to consider when choosing a health plan and provider, which we boiled down to three essentials:
- Customer Service averages real customer review scores from Google, the Better Business Bureau, TrustPilot, and Insureye to give each company a score out of 5.
- Financial Stability shows each company's most recent grade from reputable credit rating agencies A.M. Best, Morningstar DBRS, and S&P Global.
- Value for Money measures how much drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health and emergency coverage each product provides in exchange for a year's worth of premiums and deductibles. The plan with the highest returns in each category receives "5", while the plan with the lowest returns receives "0."
Because the Canadian insurance industry is so highly regulated, we take each company's Financial Stability score as a given. Our rankings are based on each company's Customer Service score plus the Value for Money score of its highest-rated plan in the relevant category.
How much does health insurance in Quebec cost?
On average, Quebec households spent roughly $2,870 in out-of-pocket healthcare costs in 2023, according to Statistics Canada.
By opting for a private health insurance plan like PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic plan, residents of Quebec could save $1,559 or more each year in medical costs not covered by the RAMQ provincial health plan.
As for what you’ll pay, here’s a comparison of monthly health insurance quotes for the top 3 health insurance policies in Quebec:
Plan |
Guaranteed Issue Classic |
Personal Health Insurance Enhanced Plan with Dental |
DrugPlus Plan |
Plan Type |
Mid |
Premium |
Basic |
Kids (0-4) |
$54.11 |
$66.23 |
$15.50 |
Kids and youth (5-20) |
$81.18 |
$66.23 |
$21.00 |
Adults (21-44) |
$147.48 |
$156.47 |
$91.50 |
Adults (45-54) |
$179.52 |
$204.65 |
$100.50 |
Adults (55-59) |
$196.23 |
$195.06 |
$113.50 |
Adults (60-64) |
$213.33 |
$204.83 |
$126.20 |
Seniors (65+) |
$196.21+ |
$193.57+ |
$123.20+ |
* Prices reflect the approximate costs for residents in the relevant age group in Quebec. They were last updated October 20th, 2025.
What does the Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Quebec (RAMQ) cover?
Quebec’s health insurance plan, the Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Quebec (RAMQ), covers the following medically necessary services for all residents with a valid health insurance card:
- Physicians’ services: Consultations, examinations, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, psychiatric treatments, surgery, anesthesia, medically assisted reproduction, and radiology services performed by a general practitioner or specialist
- Optometric services: Examinations and prescriptions for children under 18, seniors 65 and over, adults with a visual impairment, or recipients of financial assistance with claim slip (carnet de réclamation)
- Dental services: Certain oral surgeries performed at hospitals and certain dental procedures for children under age 10 or adult recipients of financial assistance with claim slip (carnet de réclamation)
- Prescription drugs: Pharmacy services and prescription medications covered under the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan (PPDIP) and listed on the List of Medications
The provincial government covers most of the cost of ambulance transport for residents, but patients are responsible for a base fee of $125, along with an extra $35 for any additional person being transported and $1.75 per kilometre of travel.
Medical services covered by public insurance coverage in Quebec are generally covered for those with a valid health insurance card when traveling outside of the province or outside of Canada, but in most cases RAMQ will only reimburse a portion of the cost.
The table below gives more information about specific areas of drug, dental, vision, and extended health coverage under RAMQ.
Prescription drugs |
* EVERYONE without access to drug coverage through a private group plan through an employer, spouse, or parent must join the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan, which covers 70% of the cost of prescription medications on the List of Medications (LM).
* EVERYONE with a functional impairment is eligible for 100% coverage of prescription drugs on the LM.
* CHILDREN (0-17) are eligible for 100% coverage of prescription drugs on the LM.
* YOUTH (18-25) enrolled in full-time study at a secondary institution, college, or university are eligible for 100% coverage of prescription drugs on the LM.
|
Dental |
* EVERYONE who undergoes certain oral surgeries at a hospital, such as the drainage of an abscess or repair of a fracture, may receive coverage for surgical services and related costs such as anesthesia.
* CHILDREN (0-9) receive free coverage for annual exams, x-rays, anesthesia, certain fillings, tooth and root extractions, endodontics, prefabricated crowns, and oral surgery.
* EVERYONE who is a recipient of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) receives coverage for emergency services (Year 1+), routine services (Year 2+), and certain denture services (Year 3+).
|
Vision |
* CHILDREN (0-17) receive one free eye examination per year plus $300 every two years for the purchase of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
* SENIORS (65+) receive one free eye examination per year.
|
Extended health |
* EVERYONE with qualifying conditions is eligible for full or partial coverage of the cost of medical supplies, mobility aids, accommodation and domestic help, and more through RAMQ’s Aid Programs.
|
The province also offers the following extended health benefits for Quebec residents in low-income households:
- Holders of a valid claim slip (carnet de réclamation): Recipients of financial assistance with a claim slip are eligible for free coverage through the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan (PPDIP); annual vision exams; and emergency, routine, and major dental care services.
- Seniors receiving 94% or more of the Guaranteed Income Supplement: Seniors receiving this supplement are eligible for free coverage through the PPDIP.
How to find the best health insurance for you
No single health insurance company offers the best plan for every resident of Quebec. To determine which plan is the best option for you and your family, follow these steps:
- Review your current coverage: Do you have a valid and up-to-date health insurance card? Are you enrolled in any government programs or workplace group benefits plans that you or your partner are eligible for?
- Take stock of your current healthcare spending: Go back through your accounts, receipts, and other records to tally up the total amount you spent in the last 12 months on health expenses not covered by insurance.
- Project your future healthcare spending: Do you expect to spend roughly the same amount on healthcare in the next 12-24 months, or do you anticipate needing any major procedures that aren’t covered by RAMQ, such as major dental work, physiotherapy, or speech therapy? If possible, estimate the total cost of any planned or expected medical services.
- Calculate your coverage gap: Add up the total amount of your healthcare spending for the last 12 months along with the projected cost of non-covered procedures or treatments you expect to need in the next 12-24 months. Divide the total by 12 to find your average monthly health coverage gap.
- Research plans and request quotes: Once you understand where your healthcare spending is focused and how significant your coverage gap is, you can look for private health insurance plans that match the type and amount of coverage you need. Request health insurance quotes from these companies and compare the results with your calculated monthly coverage gap.
Through these steps, you can find the private health insurance plan with the best coverage for you and your family while maximizing the impact to your healthcare budget.
FAQ: Best health insurance in Quebec
Yes, you can purchase private health insurance in Quebec to supplement any coverage you receive through RAMQ. For individuals without access to group health benefits who don’t qualify for income-based assistance through RAMQ, a private health insurance plan can be an important tool to avoid steep out-of-pocket costs for routine expenses like dental care, vision exams, and paramedical services.
The best private health insurance in Quebec is the plan whose coverage best matches your actual healthcare spending while saving you money on out-of-pocket costs not covered by RAMQ. That plan will be different for everyone based on their medical needs, eligibility for competitive pricing, and overall priorities. For most Quebec residents, a mid-range plan like PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic plan delivers the best return on investment.
The eligibility conditions for Quebec’s public RAMQ health insurance plan are different for people settled in Quebec and those staying temporarily in the province. If you are settled in Quebec, you must have your main residence in the province, be present in Quebec for 183 days or more out of each calendar year, and have valid authorization to remain in Canada. If you are only staying temporarily in the province, you must not be absent from Quebec for more than 21 consecutive days and must have a valid authorization to stay in Quebec, such as a work or study permit.
Individual health insurance won’t replace the essential medical coverage provided by RAMQ in Quebec, but it can serve as a valuable supplement for basic services not covered by public health insurance. Most adults can’t get coverage for dental work, vision care, mental health services, and other key health services without a private health insurance plan. While some Quebec residents can get these benefits through a group plan offered by their employer, individual health insurance may be needed for self-employed or retired individuals, or those between jobs.
For newcomers to Quebec, there is a three-month waiting period for most RAMQ health coverage, even if you are a Canadian citizen. During this period, RAMQ strongly encourages newcomers to purchase private health insurance and work with the Ombudsman for Life and Health Insurance. Keep in mind that certain health services — including those associated with pregnancy and childbirth, those needed by victims of domestic violence, and those associated with treatment of infectious diseases that pose a threat to public health — aren’t affected by the waiting period and are available to newcomers free of charge before their remaining RAMQ health insurance activates.