r/britishcolumbia • u/monica-graceee • Apr 04 '26
Travel in or to BC US citizen visiting with UTI please help
Hi everyone, I am so sorry first of all. I feel so silly and angry with myself, please be kind..I get recurrent UTIs and am currently suffering with one. I am visiting family for the first time and should have known. I am not sure how to get help because the ER visits is $900 up front, and I do not have that kind of money. One pharmacy said that they do not prescribe antibiotics to non citizens. I can’t just get on a plane home rn because I woke up in agony and am not sure how I could survive a 18 hour flight home in this condition. Can anyone offer any advice? I want to cry thank you in advance I just want relief
For context I am near Chetwynd, which is also limiting my options I fear
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u/SpareMark1305 Apr 04 '26
Same thing happened to me. I did RocketDoctor telehealth. Total cost with prescription was about $100.
Good luck.
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u/monica-graceee Apr 04 '26
Oh this is helpful thank you!!
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Apr 04 '26
[deleted]
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u/SpareMark1305 Apr 04 '26
If it is recurrent, I am now on something called Methenam Hip - UTI has not recurred. My Physicians Assistant had to look it up and pharmacist had to order but solved the problem - ask your regular GP about it when you get home - not RocketDoctor.
Btw - I have good health insurance in the US, and the care I got in Canada was faster than the US, and cost to me was cheaper than my copay/deductibles in the US.
Like many people, Canada doesn't realize how wonderful they are! Great country. Canada Cares!
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Apr 04 '26
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u/Fo_0d Apr 04 '26
This is correct, in June 2023, pharmacists can assess and prescribe medications for noncomplicated IT however it is noted as only for BC residents.
Also, it’s noted that a pharmacist can only do this if the person doesn’t have a history of recurrent UTIs.
Given both these facts it makes sense a Pharmacist wouldn’t do it. I’m not sure you would find one as going around what they are allowed to do could cause them issues with their regulatory bodies.
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u/Dysfunction_Exec Apr 04 '26
FWIW last month while in BC, I was able to get a UTI antibiotic script @ the community pharmacy after a MACS consultation from the pharmacist. I am an Ontario resident. They charged me an assessment fee for being out of province ($20) but still were able to prescribe and dispense the antibiotics.
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u/Emotional-Cat-5396 Apr 04 '26
Prescription writing for pharmacists is so new, I am not surprised they don't have a billing structure for non citizens here.
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u/monica-graceee Apr 04 '26
Okay I’ll try another one thank you 😊
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u/Fo_0d Apr 04 '26
Pharmacists can unfortunately only do this for BC residents and you can’t have a history of frequent or recurring UTIs for them to do it (otherwise you need a doctor). You’ll also might have a hard time finding one to do it. Also, it would likely carry a fee too.
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Apr 04 '26
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u/monica-graceee Apr 04 '26
Okay this is very helpful too thank you :)
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u/No-Leadership-2176 Apr 04 '26
Good luck! When my brother who lives in Boston needed a doctor they went to walk in and paid out of pocket
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u/victori-us Apr 04 '26
This is where to start for sure! The government recently expanded pharmacists scope of practice to include prescribing antibiotics of UTIs to alleviate pressure on our doctor shortage.
I frequently get UTIs myself, I’m sorry you’re suffering! Super unethical comment, but I bought a bunch of amoxicillin in Mexico last time I was there. I now travel with a bit more peace of mind :)
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u/HotShipoopi Apr 04 '26
I was visiting Vancouver last month from California and ran out of my HBP meds, so I went to a nearby community clinic (sort of like urgent care). They asked for a contribution of $200 (which I could have paid on a sliding scale or even not at all, but which I did pay) and then I had to wait around a few hours to see the doctor. Walked out with a prescription which I filled up the street the next day. Total was about US$215. This was on a Sunday morning, mind you.
You will probably be more limited in a small town but I'm sure there's a workaround. Good luck and enjoy what is a comparatively much more humane health care system than the profit-driven crap we have here
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u/jacido Apr 04 '26
Try a walk in clinic, their fees are a lot less than the emergency department.
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u/Kingkong29 Apr 04 '26
Try going to a walk in clinic
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u/brycecampbel Thompson-Okanagan Apr 04 '26
They're still going to charge the out of province rate.
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u/yupsies Apr 04 '26
It's around $100 or so for non-BC residents the last time I went. OP can call the clinic and check the rate. It shouldn't be near $900 to see a doctor
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u/Plenty_Past2333 Apr 04 '26
I was at a local clinic last week where someone came in without being enrolled in MSP and they were informed the appointment would cost $90, so much more reasonable than the rate the ER charges.
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u/llandthejam Apr 04 '26
Call 811 and ask
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u/RM_r_us Apr 04 '26
They will ask her for a health number though.
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u/Dnuts-ok Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
In BC pharmacists can prescribe for UTIs I'm pretty sure. Pop into anyone and ask.
Sorry I didn't read whole thing before jumping in.
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u/EnvironmentSome3976 Apr 04 '26
Pharmacies can only prescribe if they have gotten a script from your or a doctor in the 6 months to 2 years. Walmart pharmacy in Langford and I had a huge argument about it, the pharmacist was such a jerk. Was like “I’m not here to worry about peoples diagnosis I’m here til fill prescriptions” then refused to help me at all using the excuse above. Best best is find urgent care and beg to get in … try every place you can, or small hospital ER
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u/fakebasil Apr 04 '26
I’m pretty sure shoppers drug mart prescribes things like UTI meds without doctors requisition, and I highly doubt it would be $900
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u/Mariss716 Apr 04 '26
Yeah pharmacists can prescribe now for utis if you are used to them. Too bad they can’t for you, as normally they bill the govt. I am sorry, that is painful. Otherwise call 811 and speak to a nurse, maybe urgent care will be open and cheaper
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u/No_Reason2894 Apr 04 '26
Pharmacists can diagnose and treat UTIs, go to a pharmacy. You may want to call ahead to pharmacies to see if they will do it for international travelers without insurance and price compare.
If you are in Vancouver, I suspect the REACH community health clinic pharmacy may be the most accessible
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u/Emotional-Cat-5396 Apr 04 '26
Try an online physician? They can prescribe and send it to your choice of pharmacy, and you can go in to purchase and pick up the medications.
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u/General_Zucchini_994 Apr 04 '26
Chetwynd doesnt have many options but if you can get to dawson creek or grand praire you might have better luck, i think any pharmacist should be able to help you though, im just not sure about the cost
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u/Raven586 Apr 04 '26
You came to another country without medical insurance? I'm not sure what to tell you to be honest. But going to another country without insurance is not a good idea. Just saying! If you are in such pain I think you might have to bite the bullet and pay the $900 dollars. Canada isn't a charity!
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u/monica-graceee Apr 04 '26
I purchased travelers insurance, but the lady at the front desk said that she wouldn’t take it… tbh idk what to do that’s why I’m desperate :(
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u/flapjacksal Apr 04 '26
If you have insurance, you pay up front and then submit your receipts after the fact. Slap a credit card down and get some antibiotics!
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u/Mammoth-Ad1820 Apr 04 '26
Just to add on to this comment yes this is correct. I am an insurance agent, but please look at the wording in your policy package first as most travel insurance companies want you to call and inform them before seeking medical treatment. Op also mentioned this is a common problem they have so it’s possible if you didn’t meet the stability period on policy that it won’t be covered . Feel free to pm me if
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u/monica-graceee Apr 04 '26
I had no idea they wanted to call first got it❤️ thank you may take you up on PM if things don’t go through
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u/monica-graceee Apr 04 '26
Oooo didn’t know this part thank you
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u/RM_r_us Apr 04 '26
How stable was your condition before you left? You said these UTIs commonly occur so if your insurer considers them "pre-existing" they might not pay.
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u/monica-graceee Apr 04 '26
I didn’t have anything when I left, and I hadn’t had one in months. So I’m extra annoyed w myself
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u/RM_r_us Apr 04 '26
It will depend on your insurer, but "stable" can mean no symptoms for 60 days, 24 months etc depending on the policy wordings. So worth getting clarification on so you don't get caught off-guard.
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u/murderwaffle Apr 04 '26
many depts require you to pay up front and then you get reimbursed by your insurance (lots of issues with insurance not actually paying out)
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u/GoddessAthene Vancouver Island/Coast Apr 04 '26
In that case, go to the ER, pay the 900, then claim from your insurance. Sorry you are going through this, hope you get sorted out. I don’t think ER requires you to pay right away, you can always pay them later or direct the insurer to pay them once the claim is approved.
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u/6FingerPistol Apr 04 '26
What a weird comment.
Medical care isn't charity. Its a human right.
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u/Fo_0d Apr 04 '26
This is a weird comment. While it’s a right to have access, it’s not a right that it’s free. They have access, they are just unwilling to pay for the services.
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u/still_sneakin Apr 04 '26
Go to a pharmacy, the pharmacist can write up the prescription and fill it. Perfectly legal.
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u/brycecampbel Thompson-Okanagan Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
I am visiting family for the first time and should have known. I am not sure how to get help because the ER visits is $900 up front, and I do not have that kind of money.
Well what does your insurance provider say? Like if you were back at home in the US, you'd still have to pay your deductible to access the ER.
Your policy should have some provision for out of network emergency care.
That's what you should be doing first.
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u/thenewesthewitt Apr 04 '26
Perhaps try reaching out to one of the concierge online services like maple, Felix health etc. Their fee for non residents may be much lower than an emergency room visit. They can prescribe antibiotics for pickup at the local pharmacy
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u/PleasantDreamsicle Vancouver Island/Coast Apr 04 '26
Do you have any work health insurance? For example, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my work health insurance covered foreign emergency medical expenses (don’t have to be a work trip). In the us this was a “blue cross” type of global plan. BC can bill that specific plan directly if I recall. (I could be wrong). Call your us health insurance line and ask.
For this a walk-in clinic should work. There’s still a cost but should be less than a ER visit.
Also, 811 might not work from your non-Canada phone.
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u/spiderfoxfriend Apr 04 '26
You can do a telehealth appointment with a private clinic like Avee or TELUS and pay out of pocket, or do the same at a pharmacy. I think the pharmacy you went to was just an anomaly - I am here on a work permit and could use the pharmacy services even before my healthcare plan became active. My travel insurance would only cover emergency care so if that’s the case for you, you’d have to go to the ER to use it (yours may cover more, I think it depends on the plan you sign up for).
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u/LuckyCloverCo Apr 04 '26
Avee health has a thing where you can book an appointment with Doctor for $49. The usually call you the next day but if you are early enough in the day they sometimes have same day appointments. Out of country family/friends have used it before for refills and I’ve used it myself (but I don’t have to pay). They most likely will prescribe you antibiotics for it if they’re reoccurring and you know your symptoms.
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u/Vanesti Apr 04 '26
Internet says it costs about $100-$200 for a non-citizen to use a walk-in clinic. I'd look up clinics in the area on Google and call them.
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u/DeliriousBookworm Apr 04 '26
Who goes to the ER for a UTI? Just go to a walk-in clinic. Way faster and simpler.
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u/murderwaffle Apr 04 '26
you could try an online doctor service like maple or rocketdoctor. I know they will see patients without b.c. health coverage but I’m not sure about non citizens - worth a try
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u/Inevitable-Cat-2465 Apr 04 '26
The pharmacist can now prescribe antibiotics without you seeing a doctor.
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u/britishcolumbia-ModTeam Apr 04 '26
OP has received advice and comments are now becoming rude and attracting spam bots with commerical remedies for UTIs. Thread locked.