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How to Renew Your Quebec Health Insurance Card (RAMQ)

The RAMQ mails a renewal notice about 3 months before your Health Insurance Card expires. Book an appointment at a SAAQ service outlet, bring the notice and have your photo taken. If your card has been expired more than 6 months, renewal costs $25 plus the photo.

By Fact-checked by Samuel Athur

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Renew your driver's licence at the same time

Your Health Insurance Card usually expires at the same time as your driver's licence, so you can often renew both in one SAAQ visit.

If your card has expired

  • You must pay for covered health services yourself, then ask the RAMQ to reimburse you once the card is renewed.
  • If it has been expired more than 6 months, renewal costs $25, plus the cost of the photo.
  • Some expired cards must be renewed at a CLSC; your notice will say so.

Outside Quebec?

The RAMQ has a separate procedure for renewing from outside Quebec. See its official page.

Step by step

  1. Watch for your renewal notice.

    It usually arrives about 3 months before the card expires. Depending on your situation, you may not get one: check the date on your card.

  2. Book an appointment at a SAAQ service outlet.

    Bring your renewal notice.

  3. Have your photo taken and sign.

    People aged 14 to 74 usually have a photo and signature on the card. If you are 75 or older, they are optional.

  4. Receive your new card by mail.

Related

Quebec Health Card, Licence and Benefits A plain-language guide to the main Quebec services: renewing your Quebec Health Insurance Card (RAMQ), renewing your driver's licence, and the provincial benefits paid with your federal benefits. Quebec Driver's Licence Renewal: Annual Fees and New Photo In Quebec you pay your driver's licence fees and insurance contribution every year, using the payment notice the SAAQ mails before your birthday. You can pay through your bank or SAAQclic. Every few years you also renew the card itself in person at a SAAQ outlet, with a new photo. Provincial Services in Canada: Health Cards, Licences, Benefits Plain-language guides to renewing your health card and driver's licence in each of Canada's 10 provinces, and the provincial benefits paid along with your federal benefits.

Frequently asked questions

Is it free to renew a RAMQ card?

Yes, if it has not been expired for more than 6 months. After that, there is a $25 fee plus the photo cost.

Where do I renew my Quebec health card?

Usually at a SAAQ service outlet, by appointment, with your renewal notice.

Sources

North Help Desk is an independent guide, not a government website. Rules, amounts and phone hours can change; always confirm on the official page before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.