Quebecers pay millions each year for health care in other provinces

MONTREAL — Quebec residents paid more than $10 million out of pocket to receive health care in other provinces last year.

Unlike other provinces, Quebec has opted not to adopt reciprocal billing agreements with other jurisdictions for most medical services.

That means Quebecers travelling outside the province have to pay for health care upfront and then submit their expenses to Quebec’s public health insurance board, which may not fully reimburse the costs. Residents of other provinces who need medical services while in Quebec must also pay out of pocket.

Data obtained by The Canadian Press through an access-to-information request show that in 2024, Quebecers submitted $12.6 million in expenses to the health insurance board for services provided by professionals in other Canadian provin