Dossier CPMDQ c. SSQ

When SSQ refuses to reimburse a claim for services rendered by a member by alleging a lack of response or follow-up by the CPMDQ to its 2013 questionnaire, this is in fact a misrepresentation of the facts.

In the fall of 2013, for the first time since 1991, SSQ conducted an evaluation of the recognition standards for service providers who are members of the various Quebec alternative medicine associations.

However, even before completing its assessment, SSQ suddenly removed members of some 80 professional associations from its list of providers, believing that in the absence of regulation of the various alternative medicine approaches, these service providers lacked competence and did not meet SSQ’s standards and criteria.

As part of its assessment, SSQ requested a list of addresses and telephone numbers of CPMDQ members. However, since the CPMDQ attaches great importance to protecting and respecting the confidentiality of information collected from its members, it objected.

Because we refused to provide our members’ addresses and telephone numbers, SSQ suddenly refused, for the first time since 1991, to reimburse the costs of services provided by CPMDQ members.

This is why the CPMDQ took the matter to the Superior Court. Although the Court’s decision was favourable to the CPMDQ’s interests, as demonstrated by the testimony we received from an SSQ insured, SSQ continues to disadvantage its insureds by refusing to reimburse them for services provided under their contract.