Délai de Carence

The Délai de carence (DDC) is a 3-month period all new immigrants and returning citizens must wait before gaining access to health care coverage by the Medicare. It also applies to temporary workers who have a work permit of at least 6 months. During this time, health care services must be paid for by the individual or by private insurance. However, both of these options are very expensive and many new immigrants will not have the means to pay.

Important exemptions to this policy are women who are pregnant or victims of conjugal violvence, and people with certain infectious diseases. They are covered by RAMQ, as long as the reason to consult is linked to one of these situations.

Patients under the DDC may have a great number of forms, pamphlets and official papers relating to their health care coverage. For example, they may have health insurance through an employer, but this may only cover things like dental and physical therpy, services normally not covered by RAMQ. Be sure to go through these with them and help them to understand all of their implications.