ADHD Diagnosis & Therapy Costs in Quebec

Overview

Quebec is Canada's second most populous province, with approximately 8.8 million residents. The province operates its own universal healthcare system through RAMQ (Regie de l'assurance maladie du Quebec), which covers physician and psychiatrist visits but does not cover psychologists or social workers in private practice. Quebec's mental health landscape is distinct from the rest of Canada in several ways: healthcare services are predominantly delivered in French, the province has its own professional regulatory bodies (including the Ordre des psychologues du Quebec), and therapy costs tend to be somewhat lower than in Ontario or British Columbia.

For adults in Quebec seeking an ADHD evaluation, the public system faces some of the longest waitlists in Canada, particularly in the Montreal region. Private assessment is faster but comes at a meaningful cost that is not reimbursable through RAMQ. Bilingual (French-English) providers are available in Montreal and Gatineau but may be harder to find in other regions.

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Adult ADHD Diagnosis Costs

Private Evaluation

A comprehensive private ADHD assessment in Quebec typically costs $2,500 CAD, with a range of $1,500 to $4,000 CAD. Assessments are conducted by psychologists registered with the Ordre des psychologues du Quebec and typically include psychoeducational testing, clinical interviews, and standardized rating scales. The Ordre suggests hourly fees of $130-$250, and a full evaluation may require 6-12 hours of professional time.

Montreal commands the highest fees, while Quebec City, Sherbrooke, and Gatineau offer somewhat lower pricing.

Public / RAMQ-Covered Evaluation

RAMQ covers ADHD diagnosis when performed by a psychiatrist. The cost to the patient is $0 CAD. However, waitlists for public psychiatric evaluations in Quebec range from 12 to 24+ months, among the longest in Canada. The CLSC (Centre local de services communautaires) network serves as the primary access point for public mental health referrals.

Family physicians in Quebec can also diagnose ADHD, though many prefer specialist confirmation for adults.

Private vs. Public: Side-by-Side Comparison

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Major ADHD Clinics and Providers in Quebec

Montreal Metro

Quebec City

Gatineau / Outaouais

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Therapy Rates

Social Workers (Travailleurs sociaux)

Social workers in Quebec charge an average of $130 CAD per hour, with rates ranging from $100 to $175 CAD. Quebec's therapy rates are generally lower than Ontario and British Columbia. Services are predominantly in French, though bilingual practitioners are available in Montreal and Gatineau.

Psychologists (Psychologues)

Licensed psychologists in Quebec charge an average of $200 CAD per hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $275 CAD. The Ordre des psychologues du Quebec provides fee guidelines, though individual rates vary. Bilingual and English-only psychologists in Montreal may charge slightly higher rates due to demand.

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Insurance Landscape

Quebec's insurance environment for ADHD treatment receives an insurance friendliness score of 4 out of 10 -- among the lowest of the provinces profiled. While RAMQ provides universal access to psychiatrists and GPs, it does not cover psychologists or social workers in private practice. The province's public waitlists for psychiatric evaluation are among the longest in Canada.

Quebec requires all residents to have prescription drug coverage, either through their employer or through the RAMQ public drug plan. This ensures ADHD medication coverage, though copays and deductibles apply under the public plan.

Employer-sponsored plans through Desjardins Insurance, Sun Life, and Manulife typically provide $500 to $2,500 CAD per year for psychotherapy -- often insufficient for ongoing ADHD management.

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Tips for Low-Income Residents

1. Visit Your CLSC

Quebec's CLSC (Centre local de services communautaires) network is the front door to public mental health services. CLSCs provide free referrals to psychiatrists for ADHD evaluation and connect you to community resources. Find your CLSC at quebec.ca/en/health.

2. Ask Your Family Doctor

Many family physicians in Quebec can diagnose and manage adult ADHD. If your GP is comfortable, the entire process is covered by RAMQ at no cost. Ask specifically about an ADHD assessment.

3. Use University Training Clinics

Quebec universities offer reduced-rate assessments:

• Universite de Montreal -- Clinique de psychologie (Montreal) -- $300-$900
• Universite Laval -- Clinique de psychologie (Quebec City) -- $400-$1,000
• McGill University Psychology Clinic (Montreal, bilingual) -- $300-$800
• UQAM Services de consultation (Montreal) -- $250-$800

4. Access the RAMQ Public Drug Plan

If you do not have employer drug coverage, enroll in the RAMQ public prescription drug plan. It covers ADHD medications with a deductible and copay based on income. Maximum annual contribution is capped.

5. Explore Tel-Aide and Other Support Lines

• Tel-Aide: 514-935-1101 (Montreal, 24/7, bilingual listening service)
• Info-Social: 811 (option 2, free psychosocial support and referrals)
• 2-1-1 (community resource referrals)

6. Check Community Organizations

• AMI-Quebec offers free support groups and information for individuals with mental health conditions
• CHADD Quebec provides ADHD-specific resources and peer support

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Financial Assistance & Cost-Saving Tips

1. University Psychology Training Clinics

Quebec universities offer comprehensive ADHD assessments at reduced rates ($250-$1,000 CAD) supervised by licensed faculty.

• Universite de Montreal -- Clinique de psychologie -- $300-$900 (Montreal)
• McGill University Psychology Clinic -- $300-$800 (Montreal, bilingual)
• Universite Laval -- Clinique de psychologie -- $400-$1,000 (Quebec City)
• UQAM Services de consultation -- $250-$800 (Montreal)

2. CLSC Network (Free Public Services)

Quebec's CLSC (Centre local de services communautaires) network is the front door to free public mental health services. CLSCs provide:

• Free referrals to psychiatrists for ADHD evaluation
• Short-term psychosocial counselling
• Connection to community mental health resources
• Find your CLSC at quebec.ca/en/health

3. RAMQ-Covered GP and Psychiatrist Visits

Family doctors and psychiatrists are fully covered by RAMQ at $0 cost. Many Quebec family physicians can diagnose and treat adult ADHD. A GP assessment and treatment plan is an effective and free alternative to a full private assessment -- if your GP is comfortable with ADHD.

4. RAMQ Public Prescription Drug Plan

Quebec requires all residents to have prescription drug coverage. If you do not have employer coverage, the RAMQ public drug plan covers ADHD medications with an income-based deductible and copay. The maximum annual contribution is capped (approximately $1,100-$1,200 CAD in 2025-2026).

5. Community Organizations

• AMI-Quebec -- free support groups and information for mental health conditions
• CHADD Quebec / PANDA -- ADHD-specific resources and peer support groups
• Relief (formerly Revivre) -- free workshops and support for anxiety, depression, and related conditions

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Insurance Coverage Overview

Quebec's insurance environment for ADHD treatment receives an insurance friendliness score of 4 out of 10 -- among the lowest of the provinces profiled. While RAMQ provides universal access to psychiatrists and GPs, it does not cover psychologists or social workers in private practice.

RAMQ (Regie de l'assurance maladie du Quebec) covers all medically necessary physician services at $0 cost. This includes GP visits for ADHD assessment and treatment, as well as psychiatrist evaluations (referral typically required). RAMQ does not cover private psychological assessments.

Desjardins Insurance is a major carrier in Quebec. Employer-sponsored plans through Desjardins typically provide $500 to $2,500 CAD per year for paramedical services including psychologists.

Sun Life, Manulife, and Canada Life are other common carriers. Coverage levels vary by employer plan. Quebec has some of the lowest average employer benefit limits for psychotherapy among the provinces profiled.

RAMQ Public Drug Plan ensures that all Quebec residents have prescription medication coverage. For those without employer drug insurance, the public plan covers ADHD medications with income-based premiums, deductibles, and copays.

Key tip: Quebec's Act respecting health services and social services guarantees access to health and social services. If you are facing excessive wait times for publicly funded ADHD assessment, contact the Commissaire aux plaintes et a la qualite des services at your local CISSS/CIUSSS to file a complaint and request expedited access.

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Diagnostic Process Guide

Step 1: Visit Your Family Doctor. Quebec family physicians can screen for and diagnose adult ADHD using validated tools (ASRS, DIVA). Many GPs can prescribe ADHD medications -- all covered by RAMQ at $0 cost. If you do not have a family doctor, register at the Quebec Family Doctor Finder (GAMF) at rvsq.gouv.qc.ca.

Step 2: Visit Your CLSC. If you need a referral or do not have a family doctor, your local CLSC can connect you to public mental health services and initiate a psychiatry referral. There is no charge for CLSC services.

Step 3: Request a Psychiatry Referral (if needed). For comprehensive evaluation, your GP or CLSC can refer you to a psychiatrist through the public system. This is covered by RAMQ at $0 cost, but waitlists range from 12-24+ months depending on the region.

Step 4: Consider a Private Assessment. If you cannot wait, private assessments by registered psychologists are available at $1,800-$3,500 CAD. These can be completed within 2-6 weeks. Check whether your employer extended health plan covers a portion.

Step 5: Begin Treatment. In Quebec, family physicians, psychiatrists, and nurse practitioners (IPS) can prescribe ADHD medications. Ensure you have drug coverage through your employer or the RAMQ public drug plan. Quebec's Prescription Monitoring Program tracks controlled substance dispensing.

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Local Resources FAQ

Can my Quebec family doctor diagnose and treat adult ADHD?

Yes. Quebec family physicians are authorized to diagnose and treat adult ADHD under RAMQ at $0 cost. Many GPs use validated screening tools and can prescribe stimulant medications. However, some Quebec GPs may be less familiar with adult ADHD than those in other provinces. If your GP is uncomfortable, ask for a referral to another GP with ADHD expertise, or contact your CLSC for guidance.

Why are Quebec's wait times so long for ADHD assessment?

Quebec faces a significant shortage of psychiatrists relative to population, and adult ADHD has historically been under-recognized in the province's public mental health system. The CLSC and CISSS/CIUSSS networks prioritize severe mental illness, which can push ADHD assessments to the bottom of waiting lists. The result is waitlists of 12-24+ months for publicly funded psychiatric assessment. Private assessment ($1,800-$3,500 CAD) or GP-based diagnosis are the most common workarounds.

Are bilingual (English-French) ADHD providers available in Quebec?

Bilingual providers are concentrated in Montreal and Gatineau. In Montreal, McGill-affiliated clinics and several private practices offer services in English. Outside of these areas, French is typically the primary language of service. University training clinics at McGill offer bilingual assessments at reduced rates ($300-$800 CAD).

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Key Takeaways

• Private ADHD diagnosis in Quebec averages $2,500 CAD; public (RAMQ) is free but may require a 12-24+ month wait.
• Therapy rates range from $100/hr (social worker) to $275/hr (psychologist) in CAD -- lower than Ontario and BC.
• RAMQ covers psychiatrist and GP visits only -- psychologists and social workers are not covered.
• Quebec has the longest public waitlists among the provinces profiled (insurance score: 4/10).
• Bilingual (French-English) providers are concentrated in Montreal and Gatineau.
• The RAMQ public drug plan ensures medication coverage for all residents.