Accommodation in a public facility
RAMQ manages the Financial Contribution Program for Accommodated Adults. The contribution is the amount required by the Government that you have to pay for your accommodation in a health and social services facility in Québec, for example, a residential and long-term care centre (CHSLD), rehabilitation centre). You can apply to be exempted from paying this amount, or to pay a reduced amount, depending on your ability to pay.
Eligible persons
To qualify for the program, you must be:
- covered by the Québec Health Insurance Plan
- age 18 or over
- accommodated in a public facility
You must also undergo an assessment at an integrated health and social services centre (CISSS) or an integrated university health and social services centre (CIUSSS). These facilities take into consideration your health condition, the urgency of your situation and the availability of accommodation places for your admission. RAMQ has no say in this process.
Accommodation of children under age 18 falls under the responsibility of child and youth protection centres. More information is available from your CISSS or CIUSSS.
Setting the contribution amount
The contribution is established with a concern for fairness for accommodated adults and those living at home. Indeed, when you are accommodated, you must pay the expenses related to your room and board. The required social services and health services are free for all Quebeckers.
Maximum contribution and notice of decision
Upon your arrival, the facility welcoming you sends us your admission form. We then issue a notice of decision by mail to you or your representative indicating the following:
- the amount to be paid for the room you occupy
- the procedure to follow if you believe that your financial or family situation justifies a reduction on your contribution
Amount for the room
The amount of your contribution is calculated based on the type of room you occupy:
- Individual room: $2,142.30
- 2-bed room: $1,789.80
- 3-bed or more room: $1,333.20
These amounts are indexed on January 1 of each year.
Payment of your contribution
On the 1st day of each month, you have to pay the facility in which you are accommodated the amount indicated on your notice of decision. The contribution is payable as of the 1st day of accommodation indicated by the facility. It is calculated according to the number of days of accommodation (30 days for a full month). The arrival date is included but not your departure date.
Applying to have your contribution reduced
The prices for rooms are a maximum rate. If you consider that you are unable to pay the amount indicated on your notice of decision, you may apply for a reduction by filling out the form entitled Application for Exemption or for Re-Evaluation. Your contribution will then be established by taking into consideration your ability to pay.
After your application has been evaluated, you will receive a new notice of decision by mail indicating the amount you are required to pay for your room. This amount may be lower than or equal to the amount previously set.
To authorize us to disclose information to your representative, you must also fill out and attach the form entitled Identity of Representative and Authorization to Release Information.
Here is the list of deductions and exclusions taken into account when applying for a reduction to your contribution amount. Some of these amounts are indexed on January 1 of each year.
- The amount for a main residence is set at $323,664.
- The total amount for property is set at $2,500 for a single adult and $5,000 for a family.
- The amount for an automobile is set at $10,000.
- The amount for liquid assets is set at $2,500 for a single adult and $5,000 for a family.
- The amount for a person with a spouse (non-accommodated, married or in a civil union) is set at $1,444.
- The amount for a dependent child under age 18 is set at $578, and for a dependent child age 18 to 25 who is enrolled full time at an educational institution, spouseless and domiciled in the accommodated adult's home is set at $725.
- The personal expense allowance is set at $333.
- The cost for lodging is deducted from the actual amount paid for 2 months as of the first day of accommodation (excluding services).
- Certain government compensations are to be excluded (Hôpital Saint-Julien or Duplessis orphans, for example).
Variation in the amount of your contribution during the year
Calculation of your contribution for a given month is based on your income for the previous month. For instance, the contribution you have to pay on August 1 is based on your income for July. Your contribution varies according to:
- the indexation of your Old Age Security pension and other income
- the value of your property and liquid assets
As of July 2022, the federal government is increasing the Old Age Security pension by 10% for persons aged 75 and over.
Simulation tool to estimate your financial contribution
We have made available for you a simulation tool to help you estimate your financial contribution subsequent to an application for exemption or for re-evaluation.
Products and services provided or not
The products and services provided by the facility fall under the responsibility of the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS). Your facility will provide the following for free:
- Products and services necessary for personal hygiene, such as:
- paper products indicated in your individualized services plan or any other products required because of a particular condition
- skin cream, shampoo, deodorant, toilet soap, tooth paste and facial tissue
- products for laundering and regular care of your clothing (your family may nevertheless accomplish these tasks)
- All other equipment used for therapeutic purposes
You have to pay for the following products and services:
- hairdressing services
- personal care products such as cosmetics or hairspray
- tobacco products and newspapers
- meals ordered from outside
- a personal telephone
- rental of a television set
- special care of clothing (dry cleaning or mending, for example)
- personal hygiene products of a brand other than that provided by the facility
The facility may help you obtain dental or optometry services and various assistive devices and pay a portion of the costs. Before making any purchases, find out whether the facility will pay a portion of the costs incurred.
If you are dissatisfied with the quality of services
If you consider that you are not receiving appropriate care and services, you can contact the commissioner for complaints and the quality of services at the facility where you are residing.
Additional information
For additional information on the program, contact the management at the facility. For more information on calculating your contribution, contact us:
By telephone
Montréal: 514 873-1529
Toll free: 1 800 265-0765
By mail
425, boul. De Maisonneuve Ouest, bureau 213
Montréal (Québec) H3A 3G5
Application for review
You can apply for a review of a RAMQ decision. To find out more, refer to the page Request a review of a decision.