Legislative changes to sick notes also apply to caregiving absence for relatives
Quebec’s new law around sick notes is now in effect.
Bill 68, An Act mainly to reduce the administrative burden of physicians, amends legislation to prohibit an employer from requiring a medical note “attesting to the reasons for an absence, in particular an absence owing to sickness.”
This applies for the first three periods of absence “not exceeding three consecutive days taken over a 12-month period,” says the legislation.
In addition, no employer may require a medical certificate if an employee is absent to provide care to a child, a relative or a person for whom the employee acts as a caregiver.
In December, Newfoundland and Labrador proposed the removal of the sick notes requirement under its Labour Standards Act.
And as of October, Ontario has made changes to its medical note requirements.
Change to sick notes in Quebec cuts down administrative tasks
The Quebec government has estimated that the new law would free up 600,000 appointment slots annually, according to CBC.
However, it does not mean it would significantly increase the number of available appointments, said the province's general practitioners' federation during parliamentary committee hearings, according to the report.
Instead, the measures would help reduce doctors' workloads and allow them to better use appointment slots.
This is a welcome development for doctors, said Dr. Simon-Pierre Landry, a family physician practising in Mont-Tremblant.
"Seeing an average of 25 to 30 patients per day, the time saved by cutting certain administrative tasks could be significant. The health-care system is currently bogged down, and we won't get through this unless we improve the system's efficiency by reducing waste," he said in the CBC report.
Landry estimates that he spends about half a day each week on paperwork, and the move is a step in the right direction.
"Meanwhile, I'll be seeing patients who really need me — those with depression or possibly cancer. I'd much rather do that than fill out forms, no question," he said.
Previously, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) urged an end to the requirement for sick notes for short-term minor illnesses, arguing that the practice places unnecessary burdens on physicians and strains an already overstretched healthcare system. In a policy paper, the CMA recommended legislative action to limit sick note requirements, calling instead for more practical solutions such as self-certification and flexible leave policies.
Other rule changes in Quebec
Quebec’s new law also stipulates that doctors will decide how often to see a patient on disability leave, rather than insurers. No effectivity date has been set for that part of the law, but FMOQ notes that implementation of this measure will not occur before April 9, according to CBC.
Quebec is also ending the requirements for medical documents from insurers for reimbursing health-care services, such as psychologists, physiotherapists and massage therapists, as well as accessories like canes, crutches and orthotics, according to the report.
This rule will also not take effect before April 9.
