(Quebec) As of next Saturday, the contribution parameters for insured persons registered with the Quebec public drug insurance plan will be modified and the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) reports that a reduction in co-insurance will lessen the burden people’s finances when buying drugs.
In a press release published on Tuesday, the RAMQ adds, however, that the premium, the deductible and the maximum monthly contribution will increase slightly. The maximum annual premium to be paid to Revenu Québec when filing the income tax return will increase from $710 to $731; it varies according to income.
As for the pharmacy contribution, the monthly deductible will increase from $22.25 to $22.90.
The reduction in coinsurance will be 2%, or 35% to 33% of the cost of the prescription.
The Régie asserts that the inclusion of generic and biosimilar drugs on the List of Medications has largely moderated the increase in rates, despite the increase in the number of insured persons and drug consumption.
The new rates will be in effect until June 30, 2024.
The public prescription drug insurance plan covers more than 3.9 million people in Quebec. Of this number, approximately 33% pay no annual premium and 21% benefit from completely free medication, according to the RAMQ.
A year ago, the authorities announced a freeze on the maximum amount of the annual premium for the public plan.