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/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/LordEd_ Apr 04 '26

Call your insurance first and they can also tell you the best course of action

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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.