What is the Rand formula?

It is a provision of the health insurance agreement between the MSSS (Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux) and the ACDQ (organization recognized by the government to represent Quebec dentists) under which the RAMQ (Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec) is authorized to deduct an amount equal to 35% of the payments made to dentists until their annual membership fee has been fully paid to the ACDQ:

“6.03 The Régie withholds at source the membership dues or an amount equal to such dues. The Régie deducts from each payment made to dentists an amount equal to thirty-five percent (35%) of the amounts paid, up to the amount stipulated in 6.01. Dentists who pay their annual membership fee directly to their Association are excluded from withholding at source; for that purpose, the Association sends to the Régie on or before December 15 of every year, the list of dentists excluded from withholding at source. The Association may send an amended list to the Régie; it must do so on or before February 1 of every year.” [Our translation]

Accordingly, when you bill the RAMQ for insured care that you provide to patients insured by the RAMQ or you receive compensation on the basis of the hourly rate or the set fees stipulated under the agreement between the ACDQ and the MSSS, the RAMQ will deduct 35% of the amounts owed to you until the total amount of your ACDQ annual membership fee has been covered.