answer like a pro

“No need for health insurance for my kids — the government takes good care of sick children.”

Write your awesome label here.
“‘The government already covers sick children.’ Here’s how to respond to that misleading impression.”

Yes, the public system covers a lot… but not everything.

It’s true that Quebec’s public health system provides universal and free access to essential medical care for children.

Consultations, hospitalizations, surgeries — all of that is covered by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).

But believing that this means no critical illness insurance for children is needed confuses free medical care with financial security in the event of a serious illness.

1. Critical illness insurance doesn’t replace the public system — it complements it

Critical illness insurance for a child isn’t meant to cover medical expenses (treatments, surgery, hospital medications), which are already covered by the RAMQ.

It’s designed to protect parents financially by providing them with a tax-free lump-sum payment (e.g., $25,000, $50,000, or more) if their child is diagnosed with a serious illness:
  • leukemia,
  • brain tumor,
  • paralysis,
  • organ transplant,
  • type 1 diabetes (in some policies),
  • or any other illness covered under the policy (often more than 20 conditions).
This amount can be used however you choose: unpaid leave, transportation costs, accommodation away from home, alternative treatments, home modifications, or simply to take time together.

2. The public system doesn’t cover time off work

When a child is seriously ill, one parent (often the mother) usually has to stop working temporarily — sometimes for several months.

Yes, there are certain benefits such as:
  • the Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) — only for newborns;
  • the Employment Insurance caregiver benefits — often limited to 35 weeks and less generous than regular income.
But these benefits are often:
  • temporary,
  • taxable,
  • and insufficient to replace a real household income.
Child critical illness insurance allows parents to choose to slow down or temporarily stop working without going broke.

3. Indirect costs are numerous — and not covered

Here are examples of real costs faced by Quebec families:
  • hospital parking: $17/day for 3 months = $1,500;
  • gas for frequent round trips: $1,200;
  • accommodation in Montreal for parents from out of town: $2,500;
  • food, specialized toys, childcare for other children;
  • loss of family income: $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the duration.
The government doesn’t cover these expenses. Families have to face them on their own.

4. Critical illness is rare… but not that rare

According to the Charles-Bruneau Foundation and CHU Sainte-Justine statistics:

  • About 1 in 400 children is diagnosed with cancer before the age of 15.
  • More than 1,000 children in Quebec each year suffer from an illness requiring prolonged intensive treatment.
  • And many more develop chronic conditions that have a lasting impact on their daily lives.

Having protection even a modest one helps absorb the shock without compromising the family’s financial stability.

5. The cost is small, but the peace of mind is great

Child critical illness insurance policies are among the least expensive on the market.

Example:

A $25,000 coverage for a 2-year-old child costs about $6 to $10 per month, depending on the insurer.

Some policies even offer:

- 20-year payment terms (coverage then lasts for life);
- a refund of premiums if no illness is ever claimed (optional).

You’re essentially turning a small monthly cost into a huge safety net.

In conclusion

The Quebec health care system does a lot for our children.

But it doesn’t replace lost income, cover additional expenses, or remove the financial stress that comes with a serious illness.

Child critical illness insurance is less an expense than a thoughtful act of love.

You’re not just insuring a sick child 
you’re insuring your ability to be fully present for them… without financial worry.

Sources :

  • Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ), *Covered care for children*, 2023
  • Charles-Bruneau Foundation, Pediatric Cancer Statistics, 2023
  • CHU Sainte-Justine, *Specialized services and average treatment duration*, 2022
  • **Finances Québec, Caregiver Benefits Guide, 2023**
  • **Statistics Canada, Chronic Childhood Diseases in Canada, 2021**
  • **Sun Life, Canada Life, Humania — Critical Illness Insurance Premium Comparators, 2024**