'I feel like a little bird': Quebec mom overjoyed after family gets health coverage back

Nearly three weeks after a Blainvillefamily's medicare cards were abruptly cancelled by Quebec's health insurance board (RAMQ), the government has reinstated thefamily'scoverage.

The health insurance boardhas also apologized to the family, saying it would work "better" on its approach.

• More on this story:Quebec family of 4 with baby on the way shocked after government revokes health insurance

When Sandra Tomb got the call fromRAMQtoday, herrelief was immediate.

"I feel like a little bird, I can fly," said Tomb.

Pregnant with her third child, Tomb says all hermedical appointments were on hold while she and her familywaited for the results of an appeal they filed withRAMQ.

Typically, once aRAMQdecision is appealed, the boardhas up to 90 days to respond.

Card renewal triggered problems

Tomb's problems withRAMQstarted when she sent in a renewal form for her medicare card, which was set to expire last November.

At the end of January, Tomb received four letters fromRAMQ, saying it did not have the necessary information it needed to maintainher coverage, along with the rest ofher family.

Her husband, Mark Hoyek, as well as her two young sons Alexander, 3, and Christopher, 2 also lost their coverage, effective immediately.

RAMQdid not believe the family lived in Quebec. The boys were both born in Quebec, in the West Island.

Worse,RAMQsaid the family wouldhave to pay back any medical care or prescriptions they received, dating back to 2013.

RAMQsaid if there are questions about a person's eligibility, they are contacted by phone or bymail, or an investigation is launched.

Tomb said she never received such a call.

Proof of residence sent

Bewildered, Tomb appealed the decision.

She and her husband faxed hundreds of pages of personal and financial documents to prove they do indeed live in the province.

Reached by phone,RAMQtold them their file was considered a priority. But two and half weeks later, they still hadn't heard anything.

Finally, this morning,RAMQtold her everything was in order.

"We did an evaluation and realized you are actually eligible for the card," Tomb saidthe agent told her.

Tomb's children and husband's cards still hadn't expired, so the cards were reactivated.

As for Tomb,RAMQfaxed her a temporary card until her new card arrivesin the mail.

"Do you know the amount of stress this has given me?" Tomb says she told theRAMQagent, who couldn't give her an explanation about why the cards were cancelled in the first place.

She said the man apologized for the delay and the situation.

No longer in limbo

Tomb says she no longer feels her life and those of her family are on hold.

"I felt like a rock was removed from my stomach," said Tomb.

While their medical coverage was in limbo, even a simple outing to go skating or skiing seemed too risky.

• Pregnant mom surprised to find out she's not eligible for Quebec health insurance

As forRAMQ, Tomb says reviews of people's eligibility have to be done faster.

"Don't take that long," said Tomb. "Not only did you make a mistake, but it took you two and a half weeks to correct it."

"If I am a priority and it takes that long, how long does it take for someone that's not a priority?"

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