The waiting period corresponds to the period before the date on which you become eligible for health insurance.

Persons arriving from another country
When you register for health insurance, your coverage usually begins after a maximum of 3 months. This waiting period applies even if you are a Canadian citizen, but does not apply to children under age 18.

Since we do not reimburse health care and services received during this period, we strongly recommend that you take out private insurance as soon as you arrive in Québec.

Persons arriving from another Canadian province or territory
When you register for health insurance, your coverage usually begins after a maximum of 3 months. During this period, you remain covered under the health insurance plan in your home province or territory. The health care covered is then paid for by your home province or territory under interprovincial agreements.