Key Takeaways
- PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic plan is one of the best private health insurance plans in Quebec.
- Quebec’s RAMQ public health insurance plan doesn’t cover dental care, mental health services, paramedical services, and other key medical costs for most adults in the province.
- Quebec households spent an average of $2,870 on out-of-pocket healthcare costs in 2023.
- Sun Life and Manulife offer competitive health insurance products for some residents of Quebec.
Health insurance in Quebec 101
What’s covered by the government: The Quebec health insurance plan, Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Quebec (RAMQ), covers medically necessary services performed by physicians; certain oral surgeries performed in hospitals; vision care for children, seniors, and those with income assistance or visual impairments; and a wide range of pharmacy services and prescription drugs.
Quebec is unique among Canadian provinces because it requires all residents to have prescription drug insurance, either through the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan (PPDIP) or a private insurance plan.
What’s not: RAMQ lacks coverage for most dental services as well as paramedical services and mental health care for most residents of Quebec.
How private health insurance fills Quebec’s coverage gaps
There are clear gaps in Quebec’s provincial health plans, such as dental care, mental health care, paramedical services, and vision care for some residents. Every person’s needs are different, which is why a private health plan is a great way to get exactly the coverage you need based on your specific gaps.
What’s the best health insurance in Quebec?
We’ve identified the best private health insurance plans in Quebec by analyzing over 1,700 quotes covering 50+ private health insurance products from the seven biggest providers in Canada, sourced from official product websites and supplemented with customer ratings from Google.
To identify the best plans for the average household in Quebec, we focused on plans with:
- Excellent coverage for adults: Adults aged 18–14 are most overlooked by government health care coverage, making them prime candidates for private health insurance.
- Complete coverage: We prioritized insurance options that include coverage for both prescription drugs and dental services in addition to other extended health benefits.
- Mid-tier pricing: We focused on plans with mid-range pricing that’s competitive in the industry in order to deliver the highest value for the largest number of Canadians.
Non-replacement plans: We’ve recommended plans designed for Canadians without existing workplace health benefits, rather than those seeking to replace previous employer-sponsored plans.
★★★★★ (5.0) |
PolicyMe |
Classic |
$147/month |
35% above industry average |
★★★★☆ (4.0) |
GreenShield |
ZONE 5 (Choice) |
$141/month |
21% above industry average |
★★★★☆ (4.0) |
Manulife |
ComboPlus Basic Plan |
$121/month |
44% below industry average |
★★★☆☆ (3.0) |
Canada Life |
Freedom to Choose Select Plus |
$129/month |
69% above industry average |
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Quebec.
** Comparison reflects the total amount of prescription drug, dental, vision, paramedical, mental health, accidental dental, and ambulance coverage versus the industry average for comparable plans.
Join 18,000+ Canadians with quality coverage from coast to coast
PolicyMe’s rankings are based on an independent, data-driven review of Canada's leading health and dental insurance products and providers. Our analysis draws on 1,700+ quotes covering 50+ health and dental insurance products from the seven biggest providers in Canada, sourced from official product websites and supplemented with customer ratings from Google.
Rankings are determined first by star rating (highest to lowest) and then by premiums (lowest to highest). To ensure fairness and accuracy, we only make cost and coverage comparisons between plans with the same type of coverage, pricing tier, and eligibility requirements. The premiums shown in this article are based on publicly available rates as of December 2025. Our pricing comparisons always compare quotes for the same age groups within the same region.
Our findings are entirely data-driven and do not include paid placements, but should not be considered a substitute for personalized financial or health advice.
About coverage and total coverage comparisons
Our analysis examines the coverage provided by each plan across eight benefit categories during the first year of enrollment: prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, paramedical services, mental health services, accidental dental services, ground ambulance transportation, and air ambulance transportation. To get an accurate picture of each plan’s value, we calculated the net amount of coverage provided by subtracting out-of-pocket costs (including deductibles, co-insurance, and co-payments) from stated coverage limits.
Because dental definitions and coverage limits vary by provider, readers should always consult their policy documents to confirm the specific dental services covered.
Disclaimer
PolicyMe’s findings are based on unaltered data and are free from paid placements or sponsored influence. While we strive to keep our information current, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of third-party data. These rankings are intended as a general reference and should not be considered a substitute for personalized financial or health advice.
1. Guaranteed Issue Classic from PolicyMe
Rating |
★★★★★ (5.0) |
Premiums* |
$147/month |
Drug coverage |
70% of generic prescription drugs (up to $600 per year) |
Pre-existing prescription coverage |
Yes |
Dental coverage |
Up to 80% of preventative, restorative, and major dental services (up to $750 per year) |
Vision coverage |
100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $60 for eye exams and $250 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery) |
Paramedical coverage |
80% of visits to 9 paramedical professionals (up to $750 per year combined) |
Mental health coverage |
100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $100 per visit and $800 combined per year) |
Accidental dental coverage |
100% of accidental dental services (up to $10000 per year) |
Ambulance coverage |
100% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited) |
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Quebec.
Our expert take: For a balanced mix of affordability and robust coverage, the Guaranteed Issue Classic plan from PolicyMe is among the best options for residents of Quebec. Great dental coverage, competitive premiums, and unusually generous and flexible paramedical coverage make this private plan a standout. Most areas of coverage see high reimbursement rates, but prescription drug coverage is a little lower than the industry average, making this a less competitive plan for those with high medication coverage needs.
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Above-average dental, paramedical, and accidental dental coverage
- Includes access to online health forums
- No medical questionnaire required
- No add-ons available
- Below-average prescription drug coverage
Available products from PolicyMe:
- Guaranteed Economic, Classic, and Advanced: A series of guaranteed health insurance plans with comprehensive coverage for prescription drugs, dental care, and more
- Dental Care: A guaranteed health insurance plan with no coverage for prescription drugs
- Protect Economic, Classic, and Advanced: A series of replacement health insurance plans with comprehensive coverage for prescription drugs, dental care, and more
2. ZONE 5 (Choice) from GreenShield
Rating |
★★★★☆ (4.0) |
Premiums* |
$141/month |
Drug coverage |
90% of generic and birth control prescription drugs (up to $5000 per year) |
Pre-existing prescription coverage |
No |
Dental coverage |
Up to 80% of preventative, restorative, and major dental services (up to $700 per year) |
Vision coverage |
100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $100 for eye exams and $150 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery) |
Paramedical coverage |
100% of visits to 8 paramedical professionals (up to $45 per visit and $500 per profession) |
Mental health coverage |
100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $500 combined per year) |
Accidental dental coverage |
100% of accidental dental services (up to $10000 per year) |
Ambulance coverage |
100% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited) |
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Quebec.
Our expert take: Older Quebec residents may find a good fit in GreenShield’s ZONE 5 (Choice) underwritten plan, which acts as an excellent supplement for public health insurance coverage. Because RAMQ already covers prescription drug costs, the plan’s lower level of drug coverage means less redundant coverage.
- Below-average premiums for older adults and seniors
- Includes access to GreenShield Pharmacy, 4 hours of virtual counselling through GreenShield Mental Health, and 4 virtual visits per year through GreenShield Telemedicine
- Includes travel insurance and semi-private or private hospital accommodations
- Below-average prescription drug, dental, and mental health coverage
3. ComboPlus Basic Plan from Manulife
Rating |
★★★★☆ (4.0) |
Premiums* |
$121/month |
Drug coverage |
70% of generic prescription drugs (up to $5000 per year) |
Pre-existing prescription coverage |
Yes |
Dental coverage |
Up to 80% of preventative and restorative dental services (up to $750 per year) |
Vision coverage |
100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $70 for eye exams and $250 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery) |
Paramedical coverage |
60% of visits to 8 paramedical professionals (up to $500 per profession and $4000 per year combined) |
Mental health coverage |
100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $65 per visit and 15 visits combined per year) |
Accidental dental coverage |
100% of accidental dental services (up to $2000 per year) |
Ambulance coverage |
100% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited) |
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Quebec.
Our expert take: Manulife’s ComboPlus Basic Plan is fairly affordable and includes generous coverage for mental healthcare services, vision care, and emergency services. You’ll also get built-in perks like access to online services for medical care. High out-of-pocket dental costs are the major drawback of this policy, so proceed with caution if robust coverage for dental services is a priority.
- 7 optional add-ons available
- Above-average mental health coverage
- Below-average premiums for children
- Includes access to TELUS Health Virtual Care and survivor benefit
- Includes accidental death and dismemberment insurance and travel insurance
- Below-average prescription drug coverage
- High out-of-pocket dental costs
Available products from Manulife:
- Flexcare ComboPlus Starter, Basic, and Enhanced Plan: A series of complete health insurance plans with guaranteed options.
- Flexcare DentalPlus Basic and Enhanced Plan: A pair of guaranteed, no-drug health insurance plans.
- Flexcare DrugPlus Basic and Enhanced Plan: A pair of no-dental health insurance plans.
- FollowMe Basic, Enhanced, Enhanced Plus, and Premiere Plan: A series of complete replacement health insurance plans.
- Guaranteed Issue Enhanced: A complete, premium health insurance plan with guaranteed acceptance.
4. Freedom to Choose Select Plus from Canada Life
Rating |
★★★☆☆ (3.0) |
Premiums* |
$129/month |
Drug coverage |
80% of generic, birth control, cannabis, and other prescription drugs (up to $10,000 per year) |
Pre-existing prescription coverage |
No |
Dental coverage |
Up to 80% of preventative and restorative dental services (up to $750 per year) |
Vision coverage |
100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $75 for eye exams and $200 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery) |
Paramedical coverage |
100% of visits to 10 paramedical professionals (up to $40 per visit and $400 per profession) |
Mental health coverage |
100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $40 per visit and 10 visits combined per year) |
Accidental dental coverage |
100% of accidental dental services (unlimited) |
Ambulance coverage |
100% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited) |
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Quebec.
Our expert take: Canada Life’s generous underwritten Freedom to Choose Select Plus plan comes with high reimbursement rates for paramedical coverage, prescription drugs, dental services, and more. It’s also priced competitively for adults in Quebec. However, per-visit maximums and other exclusions dampen the impact of some coverage, and it’s not the most affordable option on the market.
- 31-day missed payment grace period
- 20% off at Rexall with Preferred Perks
- Above-average drug, dental, and vision coverage
- Below-average premiums for children
- Includes second opinion services from Teledoc Medical Experts
- 3-month dental waiting period
- Above-average premiums for adults and seniors
Available products from Canada Life:
- Freedom to Choose Guaranteed, Guaranteed Plus, and Guaranteed Elite: A series of guaranteed and replacement health insurance plans with complete and no-dental coverage options.
- Freedom to Choose Select, Select Guaranteed, Select Plus, and Select Elite: A series of health insurance plans with guaranteed, underwritten, complete, and high-drug options.
Compare the top 3 private health insurance plans in Quebec
Plan |
Classic |
ZONE 5 (Choice) |
ComboPlus Basic Plan |
Rating |
★★★★★ (5.0) |
★★★★☆ (4.0) |
★★★★☆ (4.0) |
Medical questions required |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Premiums* |
$147/month |
$141/month |
$121/month |
Drug coverage |
70% of generic prescription drugs (up to $600 per year) |
90% of generic and birth control prescription drugs (up to $5000 per year) |
70% of generic prescription drugs (up to $5000 per year) |
Pre-existing prescriptions coverage |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Dental coverage |
Up to 80% of preventative, restorative, and major dental services (up to $750 per year) |
Up to 80% of preventative, restorative, and major dental services (up to $700 per year) |
Up to 80% of preventative and restorative dental services (up to $750 per year) |
Vision coverage |
100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $60 for eye exams and $250 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery) |
100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $100 for eye exams and $150 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery) |
100% of vision services every 2 years (up to $70 for eye exams and $250 for prescription lenses, frames, and laser surgery) |
Paramedical coverage |
80% of visits to 9 paramedical professionals (up to $750 per year combined) |
100% of visits to 8 paramedical professionals (up to $45 per visit and $500 per profession) |
60% of visits to 8 paramedical professionals (up to $500 per profession and $4000 per year combined) |
Mental health coverage |
100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $100 per visit and $800 combined per year) |
100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $500 combined per year) |
100% of visits to mental health professionals (up to $65 per visit and 15 visits combined per year) |
Accidental dental coverage |
100% of accidental dental services (up to $10000 per year) |
100% of accidental dental services (up to $10000 per year) |
100% of accidental dental services (up to $2000 per year) |
Ambulance coverage |
100% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited) |
100% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited) |
100% of ground and air ambulance transportation (unlimited) |
* Premiums reflect the approximate monthly cost for an 18-year-old adult living in Quebec.
How much does health insurance in Quebec cost?
On average, Quebec households spent roughly $2,870 in out-of-pocket healthcare costs in 2023, according to Statistics Canada.
By opting for a private health insurance plan like PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic plan, residents of Quebec could save $1,559 or more each year in medical costs not covered by the RAMQ provincial health plan.
As for what you’ll pay, here’s a comparison of monthly health insurance quotes for the top 3 health insurance policies in Quebec:
Kids (0–4) |
$43.43 |
$54.11 |
$76.14 |
Kids and youth (5–20) |
$65.13 |
$81.18 |
$114.22 |
Adults (21–44) |
$123.32 |
$147.48 |
$203.64 |
Adults (45–54) |
$144.06 |
$179.52 |
$252.59 |
Adults (55–59) |
$160.06 |
$196.23 |
$272.10 |
Adults (60–64) |
$171.75 |
$213.33 |
$291.87 |
Seniors 65+ |
$151.68+ |
$196.21+ |
$268.51+ |
* Prices reflect the approximate costs for residents in the relevant age group in Quebec. They are current as of December 2025.
What does the Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Quebec (RAMQ) cover?
Quebec’s health insurance plan, the Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Quebec (RAMQ), covers the following medically necessary services for all residents with a valid health insurance card:
- Physicians’ services: Consultations, examinations, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, psychiatric treatments, surgery, anesthesia, medically assisted reproduction, and radiology services performed by a general practitioner or specialist
- Optometric services: Examinations and prescriptions for children under 18, seniors 65 and over, adults with a visual impairment, or recipients of financial assistance with claim slip (carnet de réclamation)
- Dental services: Certain oral surgeries performed at hospitals and certain dental procedures for children under age 10 or adult recipients of financial assistance with claim slip (carnet de réclamation)
- Prescription drugs: Pharmacy services and prescription medications covered under the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan (PPDIP) and listed on the List of Medications
The provincial government covers most of the cost of ambulance transport for residents, but patients are responsible for a base fee of $125, along with an extra $35 for any additional person being transported and $1.75 per kilometre of travel.
Medical services covered by public insurance coverage in Quebec are generally covered for those with a valid health insurance card when traveling outside of the province or outside of Canada, but in most cases RAMQ will only reimburse a portion of the cost.
The table below gives more information about specific areas of drug, dental, vision, and extended health coverage under RAMQ.
Prescription drugs |
* EVERYONE without access to drug coverage through a private group plan through an employer, spouse, or parent must join the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan, which covers 70% of the cost of prescription medications on the List of Medications (LM).
* EVERYONE with a functional impairment is eligible for 100% coverage of prescription drugs on the LM.
* CHILDREN (0-17) are eligible for 100% coverage of prescription drugs on the LM.
* YOUTH (18-25) enrolled in full-time study at a secondary institution, college, or university are eligible for 100% coverage of prescription drugs on the LM.
|
Dental |
* EVERYONE who undergoes certain oral surgeries at a hospital, such as the drainage of an abscess or repair of a fracture, may receive coverage for surgical services and related costs such as anesthesia.
* CHILDREN (0-9) receive free coverage for annual exams, x-rays, anesthesia, certain fillings, tooth and root extractions, endodontics, prefabricated crowns, and oral surgery.
* EVERYONE who is a recipient of a financial assistance program with claim slip (carnet de réclamation) receives coverage for emergency services (Year 1+), routine services (Year 2+), and certain denture services (Year 3+).
|
Vision |
* CHILDREN (0-17) receive one free eye examination per year plus $300 every two years for the purchase of prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
* SENIORS (65+) receive one free eye examination per year.
|
Extended health |
* EVERYONE with qualifying conditions is eligible for full or partial coverage of the cost of medical supplies, mobility aids, accommodation and domestic help, and more through RAMQ’s Aid Programs.
|
The province also offers the following extended health benefits for Quebec residents in low-income households:
- Holders of a valid claim slip (carnet de réclamation): Recipients of financial assistance with a claim slip are eligible for free coverage through the Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan (PPDIP); annual vision exams; and emergency, routine, and major dental care services.
- Seniors receiving 94% or more of the Guaranteed Income Supplement: Seniors receiving this supplement are eligible for free coverage through the PPDIP.
How to find the best health insurance for you
No single health insurance company offers the best plan for every resident of Quebec. To determine which plan is the best option for you and your family, follow these steps:
- Review your current coverage: Do you have a valid and up-to-date health insurance card? Are you enrolled in any government programs or workplace group benefits plans that you or your partner are eligible for?
- Take stock of your current healthcare spending: Go back through your accounts, receipts, and other records to tally up the total amount you spent in the last 12 months on health expenses not covered by insurance.
- Project your future healthcare spending: Do you expect to spend roughly the same amount on healthcare in the next 12-24 months, or do you anticipate needing any major procedures that aren’t covered by RAMQ, such as major dental work, physiotherapy, or speech therapy? If possible, estimate the total cost of any planned or expected medical services.
- Calculate your coverage gap: Add up the total amount of your healthcare spending for the last 12 months along with the projected cost of non-covered procedures or treatments you expect to need in the next 12-24 months. Divide the total by 12 to find your average monthly health coverage gap.
- Research plans and request quotes: Once you understand where your healthcare spending is focused and how significant your coverage gap is, you can look for private health insurance plans that match the type and amount of coverage you need. Request health insurance quotes from these companies and compare the results with your calculated monthly coverage gap.
Through these steps, you can find the private health insurance plan with the best coverage for you and your family while maximizing the impact to your healthcare budget. Now is also a good time to decide if you want other types of insurance, like life insurance — you can often get discounts on a bundled policy.
FAQ: Best health insurance in Quebec
Yes, you can purchase private health insurance in Quebec to supplement any coverage you receive through RAMQ. For individuals without access to group health benefits who don’t qualify for income-based assistance through RAMQ, a private health insurance plan can be an important tool to avoid steep out-of-pocket costs for routine expenses like dental care, vision exams, and paramedical services.
The best private health insurance in Quebec is the plan whose coverage best matches your actual healthcare spending while saving you money on out-of-pocket costs not covered by RAMQ. That plan will be different for everyone based on their medical needs, eligibility for competitive pricing, and overall priorities. For most Quebec residents, a mid-range plan like PolicyMe’s Guaranteed Issue Classic plan delivers the best return on investment.
The eligibility conditions for Quebec’s public RAMQ health insurance plan are different for people settled in Quebec and those staying temporarily in the province. If you are settled in Quebec, you must have your main residence in the province, be present in Quebec for 183 days or more out of each calendar year, and have valid authorization to remain in Canada. If you are only staying temporarily in the province, you must not be absent from Quebec for more than 21 consecutive days and must have a valid authorization to stay in Quebec, such as a work or study permit.
Individual health insurance won’t replace the essential medical coverage provided by RAMQ in Quebec, but it can serve as a valuable supplement for basic services not covered by public health insurance. Most adults can’t get coverage for dental work, vision care, mental health services, and other key health services without a private health insurance plan. While some Quebec residents can get these benefits through a group plan offered by their employer, individual health insurance may be needed for self-employed or retired individuals, or those between jobs.
For newcomers to Quebec, there is a three-month waiting period for most RAMQ health coverage, even if you are a Canadian citizen. During this period, RAMQ strongly encourages newcomers to purchase private health insurance and work with the Ombudsman for Life and Health Insurance. Keep in mind that certain health services—including those associated with pregnancy and childbirth, those needed by victims of domestic violence, and those associated with treatment of infectious diseases that pose a threat to public health—aren’t affected by the waiting period and are available to newcomers free of charge before their remaining RAMQ health insurance activates.
Yes, Quebec health insurance is free for most residents if you have a valid RAMQ health card. However, RAMQ only covers basic health care and medically necessary services so not all healthcare is free in Quebec. New residents or non-residents may face additional qualifying criteria to access provincial care in Quebec.
.png){kind=small}
