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Request a reimbursement for covered drugs

If, while you were eligible for the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan you had to pay for the cost of purchased medications that are usually covered, you can apply for a reimbursement with your pharmacist. Certain conditions apply.

Situation for which you are applying for a reimbursement

Select the situation that applied to you at the time of purchase, to find out the reimbursement terms and conditions, if applicable.

To find out more on the payment of medications at a pharmacy, please refer to the webpage Amount to pay for prescription drugs.

Your valid Health Insurance Card is required when you purchase covered medications at a pharmacy. If your card is expired, refer to the webpage Renew a Health Insurance Card. Please note that an additional fee applies to renew a card expired for more than 6 months.

Reimbursement application procedure

  1. Renew your card.
  2. Contact the pharmacy where you made the purchase. Make sure to have on hand your receipt and valid Health Insurance Card.

You have to present your valid Health Insurance Card and, if applicable, your valid claim slip when you purchase covered medications at a pharmacy. Otherwise, you will have to pay the total cost and subsequently apply for a reimbursement.

If necessary, you can replace a lost, stolen or deteriorated card. Please note that a fee is required for this service.

Reimbursement application procedure

  1. Replace your card or claim slip in the event where it was lost, stolen or damaged.
  2. Contact the pharmacy where you made the purchase. Make sure to have on hand your receipt, your valid Health Insurance Card and, if you have one, your claim slip.

You have to inform your pharmacist that you are covered by the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan. You must also present your valid Health Insurance Card and, if applicable, your valid claim slip.

If you have not informed your pharmacist, you will have to pay the total cost of your medications. You will then have 3 months after the purchase date to apply for a reimbursement.

Reimbursement application procedure

Contact the pharmacy where you made the purchase. Make sure to have on hand your receipt, your valid Health Insurance Card and, if you have one, your claim slip.

If you qualify, you must register with the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan without delay. You can apply for the reimbursement of the cost of medications purchased in the 3 months preceding your registration.

Reimbursement application procedure

  1. If you qualify, promptly register with the public plan. Wait until the next day for the next step. This will give your pharmacist time to check your registration in his or her computer system.
  2. Contact the pharmacy where you made the purchase. Make sure to have on hand your receipt, your valid Health Insurance Card and, if you have one, your claim slip.

Medications purchased during a stay outside Québec are not covered by the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan.

There is an exception to this rule. The Plan covers medications purchased in certain pharmacies close to Québec

  • The pharmacy has concluded an agreement with the RAMQ.
  • No Québec pharmacy services the population within a 32-kilometer radius of this pharmacy.

We strongly recommend that you take out private insurance when you spend time outside Québec.

Your former private insurer is claiming an amount that it paid for your medications, this while it was mistakenly insuring you. In turn, you can apply with us for a reimbursement if you were eligible for the public plan on the date the insurer paid for the purchase.

Procedure to repay the private insurance

  1. If you qualify, register with the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan.
  2. Contact the pharmacy where you made the purchase to apply for a public plan reimbursement. Make sure to have on hand the invoice from your former insurer, as well as your valid Health Insurance Card and, if applicable, your claim slip.

Payment of the difference between the public plan and private plans

The amount reimbursed to you under the public plan may differ from the one claimed by a private insurer. There are various reasons for this. For example, a pharmacist’s professional fee, included in the invoice, is often higher in the private sector. As a result, you may have to pay the difference.