Annual premium
In general, you pay an annual premium to Revenu Québec for coverage under the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan.
The premium is:
- Variable, ranging from $0 to $731 per person, based on the annual rates in effect
- Established according to your situation and net family income
- Payable even if you do not purchase any prescription drugs
- Adjusted annually on July 1
Payment to Revenu Québec
Revenu Québec collects the annual premium through your income tax return. For 2023, you will have to pay this premium in the spring of 2024 when you file your tax return.
You have to pay the public plan premium for every full month during which you had no coverage under a private plan. To find out more, go to the webpage Premium payable under the Québec Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan on the website of Revenu Québec.
Age 65 or over with supplemental coverage through a private insurer
If you are age 65 or over and only have supplemental coverage with a private insurer, you must be covered by the public plan and pay the premium for this basic coverage.
Spending one year or more outside Québec
You are no longer covered by the public plan and no longer have to pay the annual premium if you were outside Québec for an entire year. We strongly recommend that you take out personal insurance that covers prescription drugs if you spend time temporarily outside Québec. To find out more, go to the webpage Absence from Québec.
Tax credit for medical expenses
Certain medical expenses may qualify you for a tax credit. The annual premium and the amount paid for your prescription drug purchases are part of medical expenses. To apply for a tax credit, go to the webpage Refundable tax credit for medical expenses on the website of Revenu Québec.
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