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Appliances for ostomates

The Ostomy Appliances Program provides financial support for the purchase or replacement of ostomy supplies, such as ostomy bags (pouches). The amount is determined according to the type of stoma: permanent or temporary.

Eligible persons

To qualify for the program, you must meet the following 2 conditions:

Amount granted

For each ostomy, the program provides for an annual lump-sum payment of:

  • $1,443 for a permanent ostomy
  • $962 for a temporary ostomy

The amount granted is intended for the purchase of your supplies (bags and other products) and their replacement. You have to pay the overcost if the amount of your invoice exceeds the lump-sum amount granted under the program. If you have private insurance, check with your insurer to find out if it covers the difference. This amount is indexed on January 1st of each year.

Change to your stoma

You must notify us without delay of a change in your physical condition.

  • Closure of your stoma: contact us in writing or by phone.
  • Change from temporary to permanent stoma: use the online form.

Specific conditions for a temporary ostomy

The amount for a temporary ostomy is granted as follows:

  • Half of the lump-sum as soon as the application is admissible
  • The other half 6 months after the date of surgery shown on file

Payments are then issued every 6 months. They end as soon as the stoma is closed.

Procedure for obtaining the lump-sum payment

Complete the online form when you apply for the first time or to notify us of a change from temporary to permanent.

Fill the online form

Protection of your personal information
In order to offer you certain services, we need to collect, use, and sometimes disclose your personal information. To find out more about our privacy practices on our website, please refer to our Privacy policy webpage.

Required information

  • Identity and contact information
  • Health Insurance Number
  • Information on the situation (type of stoma, date of the operation)
  • Information about the health professional who performed the operation

Receipt of the lump-sum payment

After registering with the program, you will automatically receive the lump-sum payment granted for the purchase and replacement of your appliances. We will mail the amount to the address that we have on file for you. For this reason, remember to notify us if you move.

Processing time

The usual processing time is 50 working days. We will contact you if your application is incomplete. Please call us only if the processing time is exceeded.

Claim slip (carnet de réclamation)

If you hold a valid claim slip (carnet de réclamation), we fully reimburse the purchase and replacement of your ostomy appliances. Complete the online form to register with the program. Within 12 months of the purchase, send us your detailed invoices and proof of payment to the following address:

Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec
C. P. 6600, succ. Terminus
Québec (Québec)  G1K 7T3

We recommend that you keep a copy of the documents you send us.

An agreement may be concluded on a voluntary basis so that we pay the actual cost of the appliances directly to the provider. You can discuss the matter with the provider of your choice and then contact us to conclude the agreement, if applicable. Signing this agreement will terminate the automatic payment of all lump-sum payments.

Contents of your detailed invoices

Any detailed invoice must contain the following information:

  • The name, address and telephone number of the business where the appliance was purchased
  • The date of purchase
  • A description of the appliance and its price
  • Your first and last names

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.

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