Rates in effect
The rates in effect for the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan are adjusted annually on July 1. Certain persons are covered free of charge. Pharmacists are notified of the rates and the qualifying requirements for free coverage.
Rates in effect from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024
Through the income tax return
Annual premium:
- Contribution paid to Revenu Québec through your tax return
- Between $0 and $731 per person, depending on your net family income
At the pharmacy
Monthly deductible:
- Set amount paid for your first purchases of the month
- $22.90
Co-insurance:
- Percentage of the cost of covered drugs that you pay once the deductible has been paid
- 33%
Maximum contribution:
- Maximum amount that you may pay for covered drugs
- Per month: $99.65
- Per year: $1,196
- Exception for persons age 65 or over who receive less than 94% of the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement
- Per month: $56.17
- Per year: $674
The following rates were in effect from July 1 2022 to June 30, 2023.
- Annual premium: Between $0 and $710 per person, depending on your net family income
- Monthly deductible: $22.25
- Co-insurance: 35%
- Maximum amount that you may pay for covered drugs
- Per month: $96.74
- Per year: $1,161
- Exception for persons age 65 or over who receive less than 94% of the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement
- Per month: $55.08
- Per year: $661
Persons covered free of charge
The following persons are generally covered by the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan free of charge:
- Holders of a valid claim slip (carnet de réclamation)
- Children of persons covered under the public plan:
- Under age 18, without access to a private plan
- Age 18 to 25, without access to a private plan, in full-time attendance at an educational institution, spouseless, domiciled with their parents or legal guardian
- Persons with a functional impairment specified in the Regulation respecting the basic prescription drug insurance plan which occurred before age 18, spouseless, domiciled with their parents or legal guardian, without access to a private plan, not receiving last-resort financial assistance with a claim slip (carnet de réclamation)
- Persons age 65 and over receiving 94% and more of the maximum Guaranteed Income Supplement
Guaranteed Income Supplement and rates
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a monthly benefit that is sometimes added to the Old Age Security pension. The government of Canada pays the GIS to certain low-income persons age 65 or over.
The Guaranteed Income Supplement varies according to family income. The Act respecting prescription drug insurance sets out a rate based on the amount of the supplement received. This rate establishes whether or not you qualify for medications free of charge under the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan.