To remain covered by the Québec Health Insurance Plan, all persons who have taken up residence in Québec must be present here.

The rule that must be observed

You must be present in Québec more than half of the year. The Régie conducts checks to ensure compliance. Specifically, your total number of days of absence in a given calendar year must be less than 183 (absences of 21 days or less do not count). See an example of how the number of days of absence is calculated.

Persons who do not observe this rule lose their Health Insurance Plan coverage for all the calendar years during which they were absent 183 days or more. The Régie will require that they repay the cost of the healthcare services received during that time. See an example of stays comprising at least 183 days of absence.

Exceptions to the rule

Certain persons remain covered by the Health Insurance Plan even if they are absent from Québec 183 days or more in the course of the same calendar year. See the exceptions.

Before leaving

If you are absent from Québec 183 days or more in a given calendar year, you must notify the Régie of such, ideally before you leave, if you know how long you will be away. You must also fill out the form entitled Temporary Departure from Québec, available from the Régie. Upon receiving the completed form, the Régie will confirm in writing, if applicable, whether you remain eligible for the Health Insurance Plan.

During their time away from Québec, persons who remain insured qualify for services covered outside Québec.

When you return

After spending 183 days or more outside Québec in a given calendar year, you must contact the Régie if there was a change to the duration of or the reason for the stay. For example, a person who spent time temporarily outside Québec to pursue studies but who, once there, instead carried out a work contract must inform the Régie of this. The person who did not notify the Régie before leaving Québec must do so without delay.