Montreal temporary resident ineligible for RAMQ facing over $100K in medical bills

The new normal for Alvin John Reyes is using a wheelchair and a walker and needing help just to get out of bed.

Reyes, a temporary resident in Montreal, developed multiple spinal stenosis, a condition where spaces between his spinal canal have narrowed and compressed. It’s led to gradual immobility.

“Wasn’t able to walk properly and everything. I don’t have sensation from my tummy down,” Reyes said.

“The worry that I have there is that I’m the breadwinner. Who will take care of my family if something happens to me?”

Reyes noticed weakening of his feet back in August, a pinching sensation he thought was not too concerning. But as weeks went by, it progressed to numbness.

That’s when medical professionals advised he go for emergency surgery at the Montreal General Hospital.

“The surgery involved six discs from T4 to T9, and all of that were compressed. Right now I have 12 titanium rod or pieces at my back. So that’s why it’s a little bit harder for me to recover right away,” he said.

Despite this life-changing experience, he’s thankful his surgical doctor waived the fees. He only needed to pay for the anaesthesia that cost more than $8,000.

But the medical expenses keep rising.

With hospitalization and a maxed-out private medical insurance, Reyes is now facing over $100,000 in medical bills.

“We’re pulling in debts from our credit cards,” said Allan Reyes, Alvin’s brother. “I gifted my mum back then a house, up north of Montreal, and unfortunately we have to sell that property in order for us to pay some of these expenses.”

Alvin Reyes has been working in Quebec for three years and paying taxes. But with an open work permit tied to his spouse’s student visa, he is not eligible for provincial health coverage under Quebec’s rules.

A statement from RAMQ spokesperson Caroline Dupont says, “the RAMQ has no discretionary power to deviate from the legal provisions. The law provides for an administrative review when an application for eligibility is denied. However, when a person has exhausted his or her recourse and does not meet the eligibility criteria set out in the applicable regulatory framework, he or she must assume the costs of medical services received, or take out private medical insurance depending on the level of protection sought.”

“Medical insurance is really, really important,” said Reyes. “For me, it was a mistake for me to just get something that is enough. You don’t know what kind of situation you’ll get yourself into, right? An accident or anything from there.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover medical expenses and the hospital bill he still owes. A little over $13,000 has been raised so far.

The Reyes family has also reached out to the Philippine Embassy, which says it’s prepared to offer repatriation assistance for his rehabilitation in the Philippines, where he could receive physical therapy and hopefully stand on his own feet again.