|
|
 Canadian
Medical Association Journal
Home |
|
Quebec may tighten medicare eligibility
Almost no one knows about it, but there may soon be tighter regulations governing eligibility for health insurance in Quebec. Under the new rules, all people settling in the province, returning after an absence of 6 months or more or visiting temporarily will have to pay their own medical expenses. Mimi Pontbriand, director of insured services at Régie d'assurance maladie du Québec, says the province's insurance plan is becoming more restrictive in order to "harmonize the system with other provinces and ensure better management of the program." Ontario, British Columbia and New Brunswick have already adopted similar exclusionary rules. According to the draft legislation, temporary workers will need a permit stating that they will be working in the province for more than 6 months in order to qualify for health benefits; their spouses must also meet the same criteria. Before, they qualified automatically. Immigrants or people returning to the province after an extended absence — even if they were elsewhere in Canada — will have to wait 3 months before receiving coverage. A 3-month wait for Quebecers who are absent from the province for more than 6 months would have an immediate impact on professors on sabbatical leave and medical residents seeking training outside the province, as well as their spouses. Refugees, people receiving social assistance and senior citizens such as those who spend several months each year in the southern US will not be affected by any of these changes. Health Minister Pauline Marois says the government will decide whether to adopt the legislation after consulting with key groups. — Susan Pinker, Montreal
Copyright 2001 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors |
