Transitory measure for the reimbursement of travel, accommodation and living expenses
Considering that the Circular concerning reimbursement of residents’ travel expenses takes effect on July 1, 2019, the parties agree that the terms and conditions below shall apply from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.
On July 1, 2018, the Régie shall pay the Federation the sum of six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000) to defray the travel, accommodation and living costs of all residents who, within the framework of their training, are required to perform rotations more than fifty (50) kilometres from their home establishment.
If the amounts paid to residents by the Federation were to exceed an amount of six hundred thousand dollars ($600,000), the Minister agrees to make up the difference without delay, upon request from the Federation and upon submission of supporting documents, up to a maximum of seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000).
The aforementioned sums paid shall not include the amounts paid by the integrated health and social services centres (CISSSs) and integrated university health and social services centres (CIUSSSs) under the decentralized postgraduate education program. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the terms and conditions for reimbursement of living expenses provided for in Article 10 of the Circular concerning reimbursement of residents’ travel expenses in Appendix III of the Agreement shall take effect on July 1, 2018 for residents subject to the decentralized postgraduate education program.
The resident currently benefitting from advantages or privileges superior to those stipulated in the Collective Agreement binding the Federation and the Minister with respect to accommodation, travel and meal expenses shall continue to benefit therefrom throughout the duration of this Letter of Understanding.
Interpretation
This letter of understanding will be in effect only for expenses incurred within the framework of rotations carried out between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. From July 2019, the Circular set out in Appendix III of the Agreement will have to be referred to for the rules concerning reimbursement of travel, accommodation and living expenses.
The benefits listed below are not granted to residents who perform most of their rotations in a region other than the one in which the university where they are registered is located or in an establishment outside Quebec.
Nor do they apply to residents subject to the decentralized medical education program (see below for further information).
Who is eligible?
Residents performing one or more rotations in Quebec, in one or more establishments located 50 kilometres or more from their place of residence. The program is aimed both at residents in university centres performing a rotation in another university centre and at residents in training in a university family medicine group (GMF-U) in the regions performing a rotation in a university region. It provides for payment of the following benefits, in line with certain conditions and on the basis of available budgets: reimbursement of travel, accommodation, and living expenses.
Eligibility criteria
A mandatory rotation is a rotation required in order to obtain specialist certification from the Collège des médecins du Québec and/or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or in order to obtain certification in family medicine from the Collège des médecins du Québec and/or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). Expenses are reimbursed on the basis of available funds.
A recommended elective rotation is included in residents’ postgraduate education program or is the subject of a written recommendation from their program director. This paid rotation must appear on residents’ training card in order for expenses to be reimbursed. The recommended elective rotation must not be available in an establishment less than 50 kilometres from the main establishment. Expenses are reimbursed on the basis of available funds, once reimbursement has been made for mandatory rotations.
An elective rotation is a rotation listed on residents’ rotation card and has to be performed in Quebec. Expenses are reimbursed on the basis of available funds, after reimbursement has been made for mandatory rotations and recommended elective rotations.
Expenses eligible for reimbursement
Reimbursement of elective and recommended elective rotations will be made, as applicable, in September following the end of the academic year during which the rotation was performed, to permit the available budget for reimbursement of the different expenses to be evaluated.
- Travel expenses: one statutory return trip per 28-day period, at a maximum rate of $0.43 per km (automobile) or payment of transportation by train or bus. Air travel is reimbursed if the rotation is more than 800 km from the place of residence and the cost of the plane ticket is less than the cost of using a car. At year end, when expenses for all mandatory, recommended elective, and elective rotations have been reimbursed, additional return trips could be reimbursed upon submission of supporting documents (gas receipts, etc.), if the funds are still available in the budget allocated in Letter of Understanding #1.
- Accommodation expenses: A maximum of $580 per 28-day period is granted to residents performing one or more rotations at least 50 kilometres from their place of residence, except in the Montreal region, where the Federation or CIUSSS de la Montérégie-Centre provides accommodation. So that the available places can be managed more effectively, it is your responsibility to plan your stay in these apartments in advance, and to confirm the availability of the accommodation.
- To reserve, please get in touch with the FMRQ (logements@fmrq.qc.ca) as soon as possible (limited places).
- To reserve Charles-Lemoyne Hospital apartments, please get in touch with Suzie Brunette (suzie.brunette@rrsss16.gouv.qc.ca or 450 466-5000 ext. 4850) at least two months in advance (limited places).
- Living expenses: A maximum of $225 per 28-day period is granted, except when the establishment provides food. If the establishment provides food only partially, the allowance will be prorated to benefits received.
You must complete the original reimbursement form, have it signed by your program director, and mail it to the Federation as soon as your rotation is completed, or no later than August 31, 2019. You may claim up to six rotation periods in the same city during the same academic year.
For additional travel expenses, supporting documents must be included proving that the trips were actually made (e.g., a Montreal–Quebec City–Montreal return trip requires a gas receipt from the Quebec City area).
The original form must be mailed to:
630 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 510, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1E4
All amounts reimbursed serve to defray accommodation, living, and travel expenses with respect to rotations performed, and are not taxable.
DECENTRALIZED MEDICAL TRAINING PROGRAM
Who is the program intended for?
- This program, managed by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, pays the travel, accommodation, and living expenses for mandatory rotations performed in the regions for residents registered in basic speciality programs: psychiatry, internal medecine, general surgery, anesthesiology, pediatrics and family medecine.
- Information concerning the application of this government program is available from the establishment hosting you on rotation.
This Letter of Understanding shall take effect on July 1, 2018 and terminate on June 30, 2019.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have signed in
Gaétan Barrette
Minister
Ministry of Health and Social Services
Christopher Lemieux, m.d.
President
Fédération des médecins résidents du Québec
(FMRQ)
Christophe Cloutier Lambert, m.d.
President
Association des médecins résidents de Montréal
(AMRM)
Maxime Nadeau, m.d.
President
Association des médecins résidents de Québec
(AMReQ)
Julien Dallaire, m.d.
President
Association des médecins résidents de Sherbrooke
(AMReS)
Bayane Sabsabi, m.d.
President
Association of Residents of McGill (ARM)