How the Medical system works in Canada

Canada's national healthcare system is made up of thirteen provincial and territorial health plans. They are funded by both the federal government and the provinces and territories (except for British Colombia and Ontario which are funded slightly differently) and provide all citizens with free access to primary care (visits with a GP, emergency care and basic hospital care). Dental and optical care are not covered unless they're provided at a hospital. Each province has its own system, so eligibility and pricing can vary. If you move to another province, you have to register with its health system – a process that can take up to 3 months.

The local healthcare system in Quebec
The public health scheme in Quebec is funded by income tax and is managed by the Ministry of Health and Social Services. It provides all citizens with free access to basic medical and hospital care via a health insurance card that's known as the “carte soleil” (sun card). This card is issued by the Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ) within three months after application. During this period, applicants must pay their own expenses. However, agreements with Denmark, Finland, France, Belgium, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden enable reimbursement of medical services provided during this waiting period. You will just have to present your RAMQ a certificate proving enrollment with the healthcare system in any of these countries.

Some treatments, like dental and orthopedic care are not covered by the healthcare system, so we recommend you take out international private health insurance too.

Visiting a doctor in Canada

GPs
Canadian GPs or family doctors provide routine and primary care (cold, flu, etc.) to patients from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm or 6pm and on Saturday mornings. They speak English and in Quebec, New Brunswick, and North Ontario, they speak French too. Fees vary from one province to another and depend on the treatment provided. Consultation fees range from 50 CAD to 85 CAD on average. If you don't have health insurance, you have to pay before the consultation.

Doctors are in short supply and it can be difficult to get an appointment. If you can't find a GP, you can go to a medical clinic ('walk-in' clinic) without a prior appointment.

Specialist Doctors
If you need specific treatment, your GP will refer you to a specialist doctor. As there are only a few specialist doctors, waiting times to get an appointment are long so certain treatments (gynecological examinations for example) may be provided by your GP. Some specialist doctors like ophthalmologists do not require a referral.

GPs in Quebec
There are different categories of doctors in Quebec:

• GPs who accept the health insurance card: you don't have to make cash advances and the doctor will be paid directly by the RAMQ.
• "Opted Out" doctors: you pay the consultation up front and send the bill to the RAMQ to get reimbursed.
• "Non-participating doctors who do not accept the health insurance card: you support all expenses and the consultation is not reimbursed by the RAMQ.

Always check your doctor's status before booking a visit.

Doctors in Quebec receive patients from 8am to 4pm or 6pm Monday to Friday and on Saturday mornings. They speak French and often English too.

There are not enough doctors in Quebec and waiting times to get an appointment can be very long, like in the other provinces of Canada.

Specialist Doctors in Quebec
If you need specific treatment, your GP will refer you to a specialist doctor. Once again, specialists are in short supply and waiting times can be long. Only book an appointment if the case is serious. For example, for an eye test and prescription glasses, you can go to an optician. However, for cataracts, you should book an appointment with an ophthalmologist.

Being admitted to hospital in Canada 

Canadian hospitals
Hospitals use advanced technologies and provide high-quality medical devices and staff. Basic care may be provided at public hospitals but waiting times are often long. If you do not have health insurance coverage, you will need to pay before your consultation as is the case for GPs. Consultation fees at private hospitals range from 150 CAD to 400 CAD on average.

Emergency services
Emergency services are open 24 hours a day in most hospitals but waiting times are also long. If you do not have health insurance coverage and need to receive emergency care, the hospital will ask you to pay a 1,000 CAD deposit.

Walk-in clinics in Canada
These are “consultation centers” that generally operate during working hours and provide routine or emergency care without a prior appointment. As they are much appreciated, waiting times may be long. Consultation fees are not higher than those of GPs.

In case of emergency, call 911.

Hospitals in Quebec
Basic care may be provided in public hospitals but waiting times are often long. Emergency services Emergency services are open 24 hours a day in most hospitals but waiting times are also long. The most serious cases will be taken care of in priority.

The walk-in clinics
In Quebec there are walk-in clinics that generally operate during working hours, as is the case in the other Canadian provinces. If you have trouble finding a GP, these clinics provide basic care and consultations without a prior appointment. As they are much appreciated, waiting times may be long. However, consultation fees are not higher than those of GPs.

In case of emergency, call 911.

Buying medication in Canada

Any medication prescribed and delivered in a Canadian hospital is covered and subsidized by the government. Outside the hospital setting, coverage for medication varies depending on the province. Over-the-counter drugs can be found in supermarkets but prescription drugs have to be purchased in specific shops.

In Canada, medication is delivered on a personalized basis: you will receive the exact number of pills or capsules required according to the length of your treatment.

Buying medication in Quebec

You can buy over-the-counter drugs in supermarkets but prescription drugs have to be purchased in specific shops.

Like in the rest of Canada, medication is personalized: you will receive the exact number of drugs required to cover the length of your treatment.