Compression garments for lymphedema
The Program Regarding Bandages and Compression Garments Used to Treat Lymphedema provides for a reimbursement of the cost of compression garments for persons suffering from lymphedema. The amount reimbursed varies according to the person’s age and situation, the limb affected and the type of garment or accessory purchased.
Eligible persons
To qualify for the program, you must meet the following 2 conditions:
- Be covered by the Québec Health Insurance Plan
- Have primary or secondary lymphedema
For more information on this condition, consult the Lymphedema page on the Québec.ca website.
Retroactive reimbursement for the purchase of custom-made thigh-high or knee-high stockings
If you are the liquidator of the succession or the heir of a person who bought a custom-made thigh-high or knee-high stockings between August 22, 2018, and January 21, 2022, you have until December 22, 2024, to send us your documents to obtain a reimbursement.
Refer to our webpage Retroactive reimbursement of custom-made stockings for the procedure to follow.
Supplies covered
If you are age 18 or over, you are entitled to the following supplies per limb affected and per 12-month period:
- 1 set of multi-layer bandages
- 3 elastic day-time compression garments
- 1 non-elastic compression garment
- 1 night-time compression garment
- 1 accessory for compression garment.
For children under 18 years of age, the number of supplies is doubled per 12-month period.
If you have to wear several different garments at the same time for a given limb, these garments will be considered separately. For example, if you have to wear a glove and sleeve at the same time, you will be entitled to the following per 12-month period:
- 3 gloves + 3 day-time sleeves
- 1 glove + 1 night-time sleeve
- 1 glove + 1 non-elastic sleeve
Reimbursement granted
| Persons age 18 and over | Person under 18 years of age and recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) or the Aim for Employment Program |
|---|---|
| 75% of the purchase cost before taxes and delivery charges, up to the maximum allowable amount | 100% of the purchase cost before taxes and delivery charges, up to the maximum allowable amount |
You are required to pay a portion of the cost to purchase supplies. If you have private coverage, it may cover the difference. Check with your insurance company or uninsured employee benefits plan administrator.
Maximum allowable amounts
The maximum allowable amounts are in effect as of January 1, 2023. They are indexed annually on January 1. The maximums are different for persons under age 18 and for persons receiving last-resort financial assistance or assistance under the Aim for Employment Program.
Lower limbs
Important concerning the number of socks covered: 1 sock counts for 1 covered compression garment; 1 pair counts for 2 covered compression garment.
| Garment | Maximum allowable amount | Maximum allowable amount for persons under age 18 and recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) or the Aim for Employment Program |
|---|---|---|
| Knee-high stocking, open or closed toe | Ready made: $56.14 Custom made: $181.39 | Ready made: $74.86 Custom made: $241.85 |
| Thigh-high stocking, open or closed toe | Ready made: $73.41 Custom made: $237.53 | Ready made: $97.88 Custom made: $316.71 |
| Thigh-high stocking with hip attachment, open or closed toe | Ready made: $138.20 Custom made: $228.88 | Ready made: $184.26 Custom made: $305.17 |
| Above-knee pantyhose | Ready made: $64.78 Custom made: $423.20 | Ready made: $86.37 Custom made: $564.27 |
| Capri pantyhose | Ready made: $107.96 Custom made: $440.48 | Ready made: $143.95 Custom made: $587.30 |
| Pantyhose, open or closed toe | Ready made: $181.37 Custom made: $431.84 | Ready made: $241.83 Custom made: $575.78 |
| Pantyhose, one leg, open or closed toe | Custom made: $267.74 | Custom made: $356.99 |
| Sock, open toe | Custom made: $198.65 | Custom made: $264.87 |
| Sock, closed toe | Custom made: $276.38 | Custom made: $368.51 |
Upper limbs
| Garment | Maximum allowable amount | Maximum allowable amount for persons under age 18 and recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) or the Aim for Employment Program |
|---|---|---|
| Gauntlet, fingerless | Ready made: $86.36 Custom made: $146.82 | Ready made: $115.15 Custom made: $195.76 |
| Glove, closed finger | Ready made: $155.47 Custom made: $345.47 | Ready made: $207.29 Custom made: $460.62 |
| Sleeve | Ready made: $129.55 Custom made: $276.39 | Ready made: $172.73 Custom made: $368.51 |
| Sleeve, with shoulder strap | Ready made: $107.96 Custom made: $310.92 | Ready made: $143.95 Custom made: $414.56 |
| Combination sleeve and gauntlet or glove | Ready made: $172.74 Custom made: $423.20 | Ready made: $230.32 Custom made: $564.27 |
Lower limbs
| Garment | Maximum allowable amount | Maximum allowable amount for persons under age 18 and recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) or the Aim for Employment Program |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle unit | Ready made: $112.29 Custom made: $276.38 | Ready made: $149.72 Custom made: $368.51 |
| Thigh unit, including knee | Ready made: $293.66 Custom made: $561.39 | Ready made: $391.54 Custom made: $748.52 |
| Calf unit, under knee | Ready made: $241.83 Custom made: $518.21 | Ready made: $322.44 Custom made: $690.94 |
| Leg unit (ankle, calf, knee and thigh) | Ready made: $604.58 Custom made: $1,058.01 | Ready made: $806.11 Custom made: $1,410.68 |
Upper limbs
| Garment | Maximum allowable amount | Maximum allowable amount for persons under age 18 and recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) or the Aim for Employment Program |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeve | Ready made: $302.29 Custom made: $423.20 | Ready made: $403.05 Custom made: $564.27 |
| Glove | Ready made: $138.20 Custom made: $310.92 | Ready made: $184.26 Custom made: $414.56 |
| Gauntlet | Ready made: $77.74 | Ready made: $103.65 |
Lower limbs
| Garment | Maximum allowable amount | Maximum allowable amount for persons under age 18 and recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) or the Aim for Employment Program |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle unit | Ready made: $112.29 Custom made: $276.38 | Ready made: $149.72 Custom made: $368.51 |
| Thigh, including knee | Ready made: $293.66 Custom made: $604.58 | Ready made: $391.54 Custom made: $806.11 |
| Calf unit, under knee | Ready made: $293.66 Custom made: $561.39 | Ready made: $391.54 Custom made: $748.52 |
| Leg (ankle, calf, knee and thigh) | Ready made: $690.95 Custom made: $1,252.34 | Ready made: $921.26 Custom made: $1,669.78 |
Upper limbs
| Garment | Maximum allowable amount | Maximum allowable amount for persons under age 18 and recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) or the Aim for Employment Program |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeve | Ready made: $302.29 Custom made: $475.02 | Ready made: $403.05 Custom made: $633.36 |
| Glove | Ready made: $138.20 Custom made: $310.92 | Ready made: $184.26 Custom made: $414.56 |
| Gauntlet | Ready made: $77.74 | Ready made: $103.65 |
| Combination sleeve with gauntlet or glove | Ready made: $388.66 Custom made: $734.12 | Ready made: $518.21 Custom made: $978.83 |
| Accessory | Maximum allowable amount | Maximum allowable amount for persons under age 18 and recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) or the Aim for Employment Program |
|---|---|---|
| Skin adhesive | $9.49 | $12.65 |
| Stocking donner | $86.36 | $115.15 |
| Sleeve donner | $103.64 | $138.18 |
| Rubber gloves, pair | $8.63 per pair | $11.50 per pair |
| Multilayer bandages | Maximum allowable amount | Maximum allowable amount for persons under age 18 and recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) or the Aim for Employment Program |
|---|---|---|
| Upper limb | $86.36 | $115.15 |
| Lower limb | $194.33 | $259.11 |
Compression garments for trunk and neck
Compression garments for trunk and neck may also be covered. However, your request for reimbursement will be subject to further analysis.
Procedure to obtain a reimbursement
- Obtain a medical prescription when you purchase an aid for the first time for which you may later apply for a reimbursement. This applies for each limb newly affected by lymphedema.
- Go to a provider that has signed an agreement with RAMQ or to another provider to obtain the supplies required.
Your prescription must:
- Indicate the presence of lymphedema
- Specify which limb or area of the body is affected and, if applicable, which side (right or left)
- Be issued by one of the following persons:
- a physician registered with the Collège des médecins du Québec or an equivalent organization in another province or territory
- the holder of a resident training card issued by the secretary of the Collège des médecins du Québec or by an equivalent organization in another province or territory, authorized to write such a prescription
- a specialized nurse practitioner
Conditions of reimbursement: authorized provider that has signed an agreement or provider that has not
Some providers of compression garments have signed an agreement with RAMQ. We reimburse them directly the amount allotted. If you purchase your supplies from a supplier that has not signed such an agreement, you will have to pay and then submit a request for reimbursement to us.
Select the status of your provider to learn about the conditions of reimbursement.
- Present your valid Health Insurance Card and, where applicable, your valid claim slip (carnet de réclamation).
- Provide the medical prescription. No prescription will be required for subsequent purchases for the same limb.
We reimburse the provider directly, taking into account the percentage of reimbursement granted and the maximum allowable to which you are entitled. You will be required to pay the difference at the place of purchase.
You must obtain a medical prescription before going to the provider.
If you purchase your supplies from a provider that has not signed an agreement with RAMQ, you will have to pay the total invoice amount related to the supplies, then submit a request for reimbursement to us:
- Complete the form entitled Claim Form – Program Regarding Bandages and Compression Garments Used to Treat Lymphedema.
- Attach the original invoices, the receipts detailing the supplies purchased and the proofs of payment.
- Attach the medical prescription, when purchasing a supply for the first time covered by program for the limb affected.
- Mail all documents to the address indicated on the form, or fax them to 418 643-5967.
- Keep a copy of the documents for a better follow-up of your file. If they are faxed, you should keep them for 5 years.
We will reimburse you taking into account the percentage of reimbursement allotted and the maximum allowable amount to which you are entitled.
The usual processing time is 50 days. We will contact you if your application is incomplete. In any case, you will not receive an acknowledgement of receipt. Please call us only if the processing time is exceeded.
Application for review
You can apply for an administrative review if you disagree with a RAMQ decision. To find out more, refer to the page Request a review of a decision.