How to consult a Doctor in Quebec without a RAMQ card?
Online consultation
Price: $159,99
Wait times: < 24 hours
Consultation duration: 15 to 20 minutes
An online consultation is the easiest and quickest way to talk to a Doctor or Nurse practitioner in Quebec. You will save a trip to the clinic and be able to have a consultation lasting between 15 and 20 minutes from the comfort of your home or hotel.
The Doctor can prescribe medications during the consultation.
There are limitations to online consultations. If your condition is ineligible for an online condition, you will be redirect to an in-clinic appointment.
Consult in a Clinic
Price: $220
Wait times: < 24 hours
Consultation duration: 10 to 15 minutes
Consultations in a clinic that has partnered with Doctr is the second easiest option. You can book an appointment for the same day or next day.
The consultation will cost $220 and will last between 10 and 15 minutes.
You will be able to discuss one medical issue.
In Quebec, you will find 2 types of clinics: Walk-in clinics and private clinics.
Walk-in clinics are free for Canadians and each consultation should last between 5 and 10 minutes. People without a provincial health card must pay and there is not standard pricing.
Private clinics offer paid consultations outside of the public healthcare system. Consultations vary between $300 and $400 and sometimes require a yearly fee of $50 to $200. Consultations last 10 to 15 minutes.
Chat with a Nurse
Price: $7.95$/mo + 34.95$ activation fee
Wait times: < 1 hour
Consultation duration: unlimited
Not sure if you need to see a doctor? Nurses can assess your symptoms and recommend if you should self treat at home, monitor the condition or seek a consultation.
Super-clinics
Price: 200 – 300$
Wait times: 24 to 72 hours
Consultation duration: < 10 minutes
Super-clinics are clinics in Quebec that are open 7/7.
If you don’t have a RAMQ card, it is recommend you call the clinic to request an appointment. Be sure to start the call by mentioning you don’t have a RAMQ card or they may redirect you to another service.
Expect the consultation to last less than 10 minutes and you will be able to discuss only one health issue.
Prices may vary from one clinic to another. If you live in Montreal, consider booking an appointment via our Expat program.
Emergency Room
Price: At least $1000
Wait times: Based on priority. 7 to 14 hours for non-urgent conditions.
Consultation duration: less than 5 minutes if you don’t have an urgent condition
If your condition is not life-threatening, it is not recommended to go to the ER.
When you arrive at the ER, you will have to register at the counter. You may be asked to pay for your consultation in advance if you don’t have a RAMQ card or another provincial health card. Expect to pay at least $1000 for a consultation.
A nurse will assess your condition within 30 minutes to 1 hour after registration. She will assign you a priority on a scale of 1 to 5:
- Priority 1 to 2, you will not wait.
- Priority 3, you will probably wait less than 2 hours.
- Priority of 4 to 5, you will wait from 7 to 14 hours.
Nurses will not share with you your priority level and they will not share wait times.
If your priority level is 4 or 5 then expect to spend less than 5 minutes with a Doctor.
An ambulance will cost you $125 + $1.75 per kilometer. Once in the emergency room, you will also have to pay for emergency room consultation fees.
Call 911 to request an ambulance.
Level 1 – Resuscitation
The patient’s life is in immediate danger. There’s a direct and imminent threat to their survival.
Examples: Cardiac arrest, major trauma.
Level 2 – Very Urgent
The patient’s life is potentially threatened. Their condition could rapidly worsen.
Examples: Severe altered consciousness, intense respiratory distress.
Level 3 – Urgent
The patient’s condition is serious and could become life-threatening if not treated. This involves an acute and potentially severe illness.
Examples: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, open fracture.
Level 4 – Less Urgent
The patient’s condition is acute but not life-threatening. While requiring care, the risk to their survival is low.
Examples: Minor burn, phlebitis.
Level 5 – Non-Urgent
The patient’s condition is minor or chronic and presents no risk of rapid deterioration. There’s no immediate danger to their health.
Examples: Common cold, moderate fever, chronic back pain, ingrown toenail, constipation.
Pharmacist
Price: FREE
Wait times: few minutes
Consultation duration: < 5 minutes
Pharmacist are easily accessible in Quebec. You can walk into a pharmacy and request a consultation with a Pharmacist. They will suggest medication that you can use to manage your symptoms while you wait for a consultation.
We recommend you pick a small pharmacy as large pharmacies can be very busy.
Expect to wait 10 minutes before the pharmacist come talk to you.
Pharmacists will not be able to prescribe medication for you.
Free phone help lines
Here are the most popular free phone help lines in Quebec:
- 811 - Speak with a nurse.
- 866-277-3553 - Suicide prevention line.
- 800-463-5060 - Quebec Poison Center.