iAtoday

Act mainly to reduce the administrative burden of physicians (Bill 68) | Impact on group insurance plans

Group Insurance December 11, 2025
Print

On October 8, 2024, the Government of Quebec passed Bill 68, aimed primarily at reducing the administrative burden on physicians.

A draft regulation (in French only), which has been open for public consultation since November 12, is expected to lead to the adoption and entry into force in 2026 of regulations on the medical services that an insurer or employee benefit plan administrator may require.

 

What do this Act and regulation provide for?

1. Technical aids and health care professionals

 

 

Our position

Insurers and group insurance plan administrators cannot require an insured person to receive a medical service (e.g., a consultation or prescription) to:

 
  1. Obtain reimbursement or coverage for the cost of services provided from a service provider in the field of health or social services (e.g., physiotherapist, psychologist, chiropractor, etc.).

 

Since 2024, we no longer require medical referrals for paramedical services for the majority of our group insurance clients.

 
  1. Obtain reimbursement or coverage of the cost of a technical aid.

 

We will apply this rule, except in cases provided for in the regulation, upon its publication.

 

2. Disability management

In order to maintain the payment of a disability benefit, insurers and group insurance plan administrators cannot require an insured person to receive medical services at a predetermined frequency that differs from that deemed appropriate by their physician.

We will amend contracts that require updating in 2026.


Single form for first applications for disability benefits

 

On October 1, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) published a standardized form for first applications for disability benefits.

Although we have a streamlined process that does not require any forms from group insurance plan members, we readily accept this form when it is submitted to us.

We encourage these initiatives, which aim to reduce the administrative burden on physicians, simplify people's daily lives and support the total wellbeing of group insurance plan members and their dependents.

Stay tuned for our upcoming communications for full details on these legislative changes and their impact on our clients.

We will send a communiqué to group insurance plan administrators on December 15.

See the French version of the communiqué.

We help you get ahead by supporting total wellbeing, evolving with your needs and fostering a simplified, personal group insurance experience.

 

 

Back to current issue