provincial · Quebec

RAMQ premium waiver (exonération)

Most Quebec adults pay a yearly premium for the public prescription drug insurance plan. The premium is based on income and can be as high as $789. It drops to $0 for residents with low income. People who receive last-resort help — social assistance, social solidarity, or basic income — pay nothing and are signed up automatically.

Check if I qualify

Verified Aug 22, 2026
provincial program · Quebec

Health costs

At a glance

Worth:: public drug premium FREE
Who:: You live in Quebec. You do not have a similar private plan (for example, through work or your spouse's job).
Apply:: Official program page

What it could be worth

Amount

public drug premium FREE

Premium range: $0 to $789 per person per year. Your net family income sets the amount. Rates change every July 1.
Free coverage (no premium) for people who receive last-resort help: Programme d'aide sociale (the Social Assistance Program), Programme de solidarité sociale (the Social Solidarity Program), and revenu de base (basic income). It is also free for children under 18 of public-plan members, and for students 18–25 who live with a parent, study full time, and have no spouse or private plan.
Pharmacy costs July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026: a $22 monthly deductible plus 30% co-insurance (your share of the drug cost), capped at $102.64/month ($1,232/year). For people 65+ who receive less than 94% of the maximum GIS (Guaranteed Income Supplement, a federal benefit for low-income seniors), the cap is $57.29/month ($687/year).

Example: A single adult on the Social Solidarity Program holds a RAMQ carnet de réclamation. Her public-plan premium is $0. RAMQ signs her up automatically when her help begins. At the pharmacy, she pays the $22 deductible plus 30% of the drug cost. She never pays more than $102.64 in one month.

How it benefits you

The premium is based on income. When your family income is low, it drops to $0. The amount is set from your tax return.
People who receive last-resort financial help are signed up for the public plan automatically. They pay no premium at all. RAMQ signs you up when your help begins.
At the pharmacy, recipients show the claim booklet (carnet de réclamation) and their health-insurance card. They pay the public plan's rates.
Children under 18 of public-plan members are covered free. Full-time students 18–25 who live with a parent are covered free too.
The premium is collected through your income tax return. You do not need a separate form for a waiver or a $0 premium. You just file your taxes.

What you need to qualify or apply

Eligibility

You live in Quebec. You do not have a similar private plan (for example, through work or your spouse's job).
You get full free coverage when you receive last-resort financial help. RAMQ signs you up for the public drug plan automatically. Coverage ends when the help ends.
Your premium can still be $0 through the income-based calculation when your net family income is low. This applies even if you are not in one of the help programs.
If you are 65 or older: the public plan covers your basic drug coverage, even if you also have a private plan. At 65+, a private plan can only add extras on top. You must still pay the public-plan premium for the basic coverage.

How to apply

If you receive last-resort help, you do not need to apply. RAMQ signs you up for the public plan automatically. Show your claim booklet and health card at the pharmacy.
If you are not on that help, file your Quebec income tax return. Your net family income sets the premium, or brings it down to $0.
If you lose access to a private plan during the year, tell RAMQ. Public-plan coverage applies for each full month you have no private coverage.

Documents you may need

Your Quebec health-insurance card.
The claim booklet (carnet de réclamation), if you receive last-resort help.
Your filed income tax return. It sets the income-based premium.