Private Clinic vs Family Doctor in Quebec: How to Choose (or Combine)
This isn't a competition — it's a system. Here's how a Quebec private clinic and a family doctor actually complement each other in 2026.
What a Quebec family doctor provides
A RAMQ-covered family physician provides longitudinal care at no direct cost: annual checkups, chronic disease management, referrals to specialists, some minor procedures, and coordination of your medical record over time. The system works well — when you can access it.
The catch is access. Quebec's GAMF wait lists are among the longest in Canada. West Island wait times in 2024–2025 have commonly exceeded 12–24 months, and once assigned, same-week appointments for non-emergencies remain difficult.
What a private clinic like CurAge Santé provides
Same-week appointments — usually within 1 to 5 days.
Longer visits — 30 to 60 minutes rather than 10 to 15.
Direct access to comprehensive blood work, hormone therapy, weight management, minor procedures, and consistent follow-up.
Transparent, fixed pricing with detailed receipts for private insurance.
Bilingual clinical team on-site.
The trade-off is real: services are not RAMQ-covered. Patients pay out of pocket and (usually) get partial reimbursement from private insurance.
Why many patients use both
The most common pattern we see: patients keep their family physician (if they have one) for annual RAMQ-covered check-ups and specialist referrals, and use CurAge Santé for faster access, hormone therapy, weight management, private blood work, mental health support, and questions their family doctor doesn't have time to cover.
Reports from the private clinic can be shared with the treating family physician on request, so both files stay coordinated.
Frequently asked questions
If I start with a private clinic, do I lose my GAMF spot?+
No. Using a private clinic does not affect your position on the GAMF list.