Quebec Health Insurance Plan (RAMQ) for international students
See if you qualify for the Quebec Health Insurance Plan (RAMQ) and what steps to take. If you qualify, you will be exempt from the Cowan medical insurance.
Extended coverage
The Quebec Health Insurance Plan covers medical and hospital services. It does not cover dental and optometry services, or prescription medications.
We recommend that you take out supplemental health insurance for services not covered by RAMQ.
RAMQ coverage is only valid within Quebec.
Eligibility requirements
- You are a full-time student.
- You are
- a citizen and resident of a signatory country that has a social security agreement with Quebec. If you are not a citizen of that signatory country, you may still be covered under RAMQ. Find out more, by contacting the appropriate authority in the country in which you live.
OR - a student who holds a diplomatic visa or a dependant of someone working for an international organization. See eligibility and conditions for participation with a RAMQ representative.
- a citizen and resident of a signatory country that has a social security agreement with Quebec. If you are not a citizen of that signatory country, you may still be covered under RAMQ. Find out more, by contacting the appropriate authority in the country in which you live.
If you are not eligible for RAMQ, there are other insurance options available to you.
Steps to take
The following steps only apply to students who reside in a country that has signed a social welfare agreement with Quebec.
Before you arrive in Quebec
You will need the registration form or required attestation in order to get it signed by the authorized institution.
Once you arrive in Quebec
You must register for the Quebec health insurance plan online. You will need, among other things, your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and your study permit and a full-time study attestation (available in HEC Online).
Send us your RAMQ confirmation
- You must upload to HEC en ligne the Official proof from the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). See an example (in French only).
- You must do it before the deadline for tuition fee payments.
The initial premiums you paid for Cowan insurance will get subsequently reimbursed.
Until we have received your confirmation of RAMQ coverage, you will be covered by Cowan insurance according to the coverage period.
Arriving before the coverage period starts? We strongly recommend purchasing insurance with adequate coverage until that time. You can purchase up to 6 weeks of early coverage with Cowan (fees apply). To sign up, write to Zone Info at least one week before your arrival.
Renewals
Immediately notify the RAMQ of any change of address.
If you are registered for the last term of your program and are studying part time, you are still eligible for public health insurance with the RAMQ.
New Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)
If you have received your new CAQ: Your RAMQ enrolment must be renewed. You must proceed in the same way as when you first registered.
In the course of the school year, was your schedule irregular (e.g. part-time studies, a break in your studies)?
If you become ineligible
Not having valid medical insurance in Quebec is risky. If you find yourself in this situation, please email the Registrar’s Office admission.document@hec.ca. You will need to take out insurance with Cowan.