Quebec drug insurance plan: New rates starting July 1, 2024

Every year on July 1, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) adjusts the rates for the public prescription drug insurance plan to take into account changes in plan costs.

The table below presents the changes that apply to all individuals covered under the public plan, with the exception of those who receive prescription drugs free of charge (no premium or contribution):

• Holders of a valid claim slip (generally recipients of last-resort financial assistance)
• Individuals ages 65 or over receiving 94% to 100% of the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
• Children under age 18 of persons covered under the public plan
• Full-time students ages 18 to 25 who are spouseless and living with their parents covered under the public plan
• Individuals ages 65 or older receiving less than 94% of the GIS who are subject to a reduced contribution
• Persons with a functional impairment meeting the plublic plan’s requirements

After most rates were increased in 2023, only the maximum annual premium will increase on July 1, 2024 by about 2%. Conversly, the monthly deductible will decrease by 4%, the co-insurance by 1% and the maximum contribution will remain stable, which will provide a slight reprieve to the public plan’s members.

It should be noted that:

• The annual premium is the amount paid by an adult when income tax returns are filed in order to be covered by the public plan.
• The deductible is a fixed amount that constitutes the first portion of the cost that an adult must pay when purchasing covered drugs.
• The co-insurance is the portion of prescription drug costs in excess of the deductible that an adult must pay.
• The maximum contribution is the maximum amount that an adult is required to pay per month and per year to obtain drugs covered by the public plan. This contribution includes the deductible and the co-insurance.

Because private group insurance plans do not typically apply the same rates or set of cost control measures as the public plan, we do not anticipate a significant financial impact on private plans.

For more information about this topic, contact your Normandin Beaudry consultant or email us.