Quebec Long-Term Care Insurance 2026: CHSLDs and Home Support

Long-term care costs between $2,200 and $6,500 per month in Quebec — whether in public CHSLDs, private seniors’ residences or through home services. The public plan covers only a fraction, and waiting lists often exceed 18 months. Long-term care insurance pays a tax-free monthly pension as soon as you lose your independence, to guarantee you the quality care you want, where you want. Assur360 compares the best contracts via our AMF-certified brokers — free quote in 3 minutes.

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55+

Ideal age to subscribe

$5,500/month

Average premium private CHSLD

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Non-taxable at reception

Quebec seniors who are independent in their home — long-term care insurance

At a glance

Preserving one’s autonomy after the age of 65

Long-term care insurance pays a monthly benefit when you lose your independence (inability to perform 2 of the 6 daily activities). Covers care at home, in a residence or in a private CHSLD.

Our partner firms compare offers from Sun Life, Manulife, RBC and iA — Assur360 remains an independent comparison site at no cost to the client.

What is long-term care insurance?

Long-term care (LTC) insurance is a contract that pays a monthly pension when you lose your independence to perform at least two of the six daily activities (bathing, dressing, feeding, moving, using the toilet, continence) or in the event of diagnosed cognitive disorders (Alzheimer’s, dementia). The money is non-taxable and can be used freely: CHSLDs, private residences, caregivers, home adaptations, professional services.

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Home care

Covers home help, nurse, attendant, meals delivered, remote assistance and adaptation of the home (ramp, adapted shower).

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Residence and CHSLD

Completes the difference between the public plan and the actual cost of a private RPP or a private CHSLD under agreement — on average $3,500 to $6,500 per month.

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Cognitive impairment

Triggers payment upon diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, dementia, advanced Parkinson’s, or any documented neurocognitive disease.

How much does long-term care really cost in Quebec?

Costs vary greatly depending on the type of accommodation and the level of care. Here are the indicative rates for 2026 — before the insurance contribution.

Type of care	Average monthly cost	Wait time
Public CHSLD (max contribution)	$2,202/month	12 to 24 months
Seniors’ Home (MDA)	$2,202/month	18 to 36 months
Private seniors’ residence (PSR) — with care	3,500 to $5,500/month	1 to 6 months
Private CHSLD under agreement	$2,500 to $4,500/month	3 to 12 months
Private CHSLD not under agreement	$5,500 to $9,500/month	Immediate to 3 months
Home Services 8 hrs/day	$4,000 to $7,500/month	Immediate
Specialized Nursing Care at Home	$6,000 to $12,000/month	1 to 2 weeks

*Tarifs indicatifs 2026 selon MSSS Québec et FADOQ. Obtenez votre prix exact en 3 minutes.

Who should take out this protection?

The younger you subscribe, the lower and more stable the premium. The optimal age is between 50 and 60 years old, before the appearance of pre-existing conditions that could lead to a disqualification or additional premium.

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Single 50-65 years old

No children available for care. LTC insurance replaces absent family breadwinners and avoids dependence on social assistance.

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Owner couple

So as not to deplete the savings of one spouse if the other loses his or her autonomy. Protects the legacy and quality of life of the healthy spouse.

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Net assets> $500,000

Too many assets for government assistance but not enough to absorb $6,000/month for 5 to 10 years. LTC insurance preserves assets.

How does a benefit application work?

Documented loss of autonomy

A doctor or occupational therapist assesses your inability to perform at least 2 of the 6 daily activities (ADLs) or diagnoses a cognitive impairment.

Reporting to the Insurer

You (or a caregiver/proxy) send the benefit form with the medical reports. Most contracts require a waiting period of 30 to 90 days.

Validation and confirmation

The insurer validates the file — sometimes via an in-home evaluation by a mandated nurse. Average delay: 30 to 45 days.

Tax-free monthly payment

The agreed upon amount (e.g., $3,000/month) is paid directly into your account. You use the money however you want — no receipts to provide.

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Combine LTC and life insurance

Many newer policies allow you to combine long-term care and permanent life insurance in one policy — if you don’t use LTC benefit, the intact death benefit is paid out to your heirs. Very advantageous premium-to-value ratio after age 55.

Monthly premium according to the age of subscription

Example for a benefit of $3,000/month for life, 90-day waiting period, healthy non-smoker:

Age at Purchase	Female	Male	Couple (2 policies)
50 years	$110/month	$95/month	$185/month
55 years	old $155/month	$135/month	$265/month
60 years	old $225/month	$195/month	$385/month
65 years old	$335/month	$290/month	$580/month
70 years	old $510/month	$450/month	$895/month
75 years old	$825/month	$735/month	$1,440/month

*Primes indicatives 2026 selon Canada Vie, Manuvie, Sun Life, Desjardins et RBC. Obtenez votre prix exact personnalisé.

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Pre-existing conditions cause the premium to skyrocket

If you wait until you have diabetes, heart disease or a history of stroke before applying, expect a 50% to 200% surcharge — or even a complete refusal after age 65. Take out a healthy policy, ideally before age 60.

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The 3 main contract structures

🔁 Pension repaid if not used

If you die without having activated the benefit, your heirs recover 100% of the premiums paid. Higher premium but zero risk of “losing” your investment.

📆 Lifetime benefit vs. limited time

Some contracts pay as long as you are losing autonomy (for life), others limit it to 5 or 10 years. The lifetime annuity costs 20-30% more but protects against long stays.

💊 With or without a palliative care component

Option that doubles the benefit for the last 6 months of life if there is a terminal prognosis. Modest cost (~5-8% of premium) for a significant end-of-life gain.

💵 Leveled Premium vs. T100 Premium

The level premium remains fixed for life. The T100 premium is payable until age 100 or until death. Prioritize leveled if you are under 65 years old.

3 ways to reduce your premium

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Extending the waiting period

Going from 30 to 90 days reduces the premium by 15-25%. If you have 3 months of savings available, the calculation is advantageous.

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Applying for health insurance before age 60

Premium 50-70% cheaper at age 55 than at age 65. Every year counts a lot after the age of 55.

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Joint contract

Some insurers offer a 10-15% discount when two spouses purchase the same policy together.

LTC Insurance in Quebec: Where We Serve

Our Assur360 brokers support Quebecers throughout the province. We particularly serve Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Saguenay and Thetford Mines, as well as all regions — Montérégie, Lanaudière, Laurentides, Estrie, Mauricie, Chaudière-Appalaches and Côte-Nord. Whether you live in an urban centre or in a rural area, we compare the same national insurers — Canada Life, Manulife, Sun Life, Desjardins, Empire Life, RBC, iA Financial Group — and apply the most competitive rates on the market.

Frequently asked questions — Long-term care insurance

Est-ce que la RAMQ ou le régime public couvre les soins de longue durée ?

Partiellement. Le régime public couvre les CHSLD publics et les maisons des aînés (MDA), mais les listes d’attente dépassent souvent 18 à 24 mois et vous ne choisissez ni l’établissement ni la chambre. Les services à domicile publics (CLSC) se limitent généralement à 1-3 heures par semaine. Pour tout service privé — RPA avec soins, aide à domicile complète, CHSLD privé — vous payez de votre poche. L’assurance SLD comble cette différence.

À quel âge devrais-je souscrire ?

Idéalement entre 50 et 60 ans. Plus tôt, la prime est basse mais vous payez pendant plus longtemps. Plus tard, la prime explose et les conditions préexistantes peuvent causer des exclusions ou un refus. À 55 ans, en santé, non-fumeur, vous paierez environ 130-160 $/mois pour 3 000 $/mois à vie. À 65 ans, le même contrat coûte 290-340 $/mois.

Quelle est la différence entre l’assurance SLD et l’assurance invalidité ?

L’assurance invalidité remplace votre revenu d’emploi si vous ne pouvez pas travailler — elle se termine généralement à 65 ans. L’assurance soins de longue durée paie votre hébergement et vos soins lorsque vous perdez l’autonomie (souvent après 70 ans). Ce sont deux produits complémentaires, pas substituables.

Est-ce que la prestation est imposable ?

Non. Les versements d’une assurance soins de longue durée au Canada sont non imposables, puisque les primes sont payées avec de l’argent après impôt et que la prestation est considérée comme une indemnisation, pas un revenu.

Quels sont les critères de déclenchement d’une prestation ?

Deux principaux critères. Critère AVQ : incapacité à accomplir seul au moins 2 des 6 activités quotidiennes (se laver, s’habiller, se nourrir, se déplacer, utiliser les toilettes, continence). Critère cognitif : diagnostic médical d’une maladie neurocognitive (Alzheimer, démence vasculaire, Parkinson avancé) causant une supervision constante.

Puis-je utiliser la prestation pour payer un proche aidant ?

Oui, dans la plupart des contrats récents. Vous recevez la rente mensuelle sans justificatif et pouvez rémunérer un proche aidant, un membre de la famille, ou engager une aide professionnelle. Vérifiez cependant les implications fiscales pour le proche rémunéré.

Que se passe-t-il si je décède sans jamais utiliser la prestation ?

Selon le type de contrat : soit les primes sont remboursées à vos héritiers (option garantie de retour de prime), soit elles sont conservées par l’assureur (option sans retour, moins chère). L’option avec retour coûte environ 20-30 % plus cher mais élimine le risque de « rien avoir en retour ».

Puis-je combiner assurance SLD avec assurance vie ?

Oui. Plusieurs assureurs offrent des contrats hybrides avec un capital décès garanti et une prestation SLD intégrée. Si vous n’utilisez pas la portion SLD, vos bénéficiaires reçoivent le capital complet au décès. Très avantageux fiscalement et financièrement après 55 ans.

Mes cotisations peuvent-elles augmenter avec le temps ?

Cela dépend du contrat. Les primes nivelées restent identiques à vie, garanties contractuellement. Les primes dites renouvelables peuvent augmenter à chaque renouvellement (5 ou 10 ans). Privilégiez toujours le nivelé si votre budget le permet.

Ai-je besoin d’un examen médical pour souscrire ?

Généralement oui, surtout après 50 ans. L’examen comprend un questionnaire détaillé, des analyses sanguines et parfois un test cognitif (MoCA). Pour les personnes ayant des antécédents médicaux, il existe des produits sans examen médical, mais les primes sont plus élevées et les plafonds de prestation plus bas.

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Last updated: May 22, 2026