July 2022

Quebec drug insurance plan: No rate changes for 2022-2023

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.

RATES FOR 2022-2023

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
  • full-time students ages 18 to 25 who are spouseless and living with their parents
  • individuals ages 65 or older receiving less than 94% of the GIS who are subject to a reduced contribution
OBSERVATIONS

Following a sharp 7.3% increase last year, no changes were made to the maximum annual premium as of July 1, 2022. The RAMQ is also maintaining all other rates for the coming year. This is welcome news for the public plan’s members, who are already dealing with significant increases in the cost of living.

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 the 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.
IMPACT ON PRIVATE GROUP INSURANCE PLANS

Because private group insurance plans do not typically apply the same parameters 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.

Our coordinates

general@normandin-beaudry.ca

Montreal

630, René-Lévesque Blvd. West, 30th floor
Montreal, QC H3B 1S6

514-285-1122

Toronto

155, University Avenue, Suite 1805
Toronto, ON M5H 3B7

416-285-0251

Quebec City

1751, du Marais Street, Suite 300
Quebec City, QC G1M 0A2

418-634-1122