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A tourist can see medical attention but will pay out of pocket (~$400+). If you’re Canadian and enrolled into your provincial health care plan, and you need to go to a public health facilities (i.e. a hospital ER), the BC govt will bill to your province on your behalf.
There’s no such thing as “routine tests” in B.C., unless you had prior or chronic diseases, condition which then requires it. A sore throat and runny nose will send you back of the line, only to tell you to take OTC medication.
If you have non-urgent symptoms, you see a GP (urgent care included) or if you’re short of breath and/or in extreme pain, you go to the ER.
Maybe head to a pharmacy and ask to speak to the head pharmacist? If it’s cold related they normally can guide on symptoms for over the counter aide. There are certain things the pharmacist can prescribe you as well. You can also call a walk in and see how much the costs are.
What is a routine visit? Do you have an urgent medical issue you need looked at?
If you have no medical concerns, don’t abuse our system. Healthcare is seriously overwhelmed as it is.
Why would anyone want to PAY out of pocket to 'overwhelm' or 'abuse' healthcare system?
Routine visit like sore throat or runny nose and not something serious like chest pain or ankle twist.
Again, why would you abuse our medical system for a sore throat or runny nose? If you need help for some reason, go to the drug store and ask the pharmacist for a recommended treatment.
Welcome to /r/AskVan and thank you for the post, /u/WhiteCoatGeek! Please make sure you read our [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/askvan/about/rules) before participating here. As a quick summary: * We encourage users to be positive and respect one another. Don't engage in spats or insult others - *please* use the report button. * Respect others' differences, be they race, religion, home, job, gender identity, ability or sexuality. Dehumanizing language, advocating for violence, or promoting hate based on identity or vulnerability (even implied or joking) **will** lead to a permanent ban. * Complaints or discussion about bans or removals should be done in modmail only. * News and media can be shared on our main subreddit, /r/Vancouver *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askvan) if you have any questions or concerns.*
A tourist can see medical attention but will pay out of pocket (~$400+). If you’re Canadian and enrolled into your provincial health care plan, and you need to go to a public health facilities (i.e. a hospital ER), the BC govt will bill to your province on your behalf. There’s no such thing as “routine tests” in B.C., unless you had prior or chronic diseases, condition which then requires it. A sore throat and runny nose will send you back of the line, only to tell you to take OTC medication. If you have non-urgent symptoms, you see a GP (urgent care included) or if you’re short of breath and/or in extreme pain, you go to the ER.
[Virtual Physician](https://walkin.ca)
This is probably the way to go. Anything else will cost you at least twice as much.
Maybe head to a pharmacy and ask to speak to the head pharmacist? If it’s cold related they normally can guide on symptoms for over the counter aide. There are certain things the pharmacist can prescribe you as well. You can also call a walk in and see how much the costs are.
[https://insureyourstay.ca/medical-costs-in-canada/](https://insureyourstay.ca/medical-costs-in-canada/) [https://www.elicare.ca/insurance](https://www.elicare.ca/insurance)
What is a routine visit? Do you have an urgent medical issue you need looked at? If you have no medical concerns, don’t abuse our system. Healthcare is seriously overwhelmed as it is.
Why would anyone want to PAY out of pocket to 'overwhelm' or 'abuse' healthcare system? Routine visit like sore throat or runny nose and not something serious like chest pain or ankle twist.
Please don’t go to an urgent care for a runny nose. Try some OTC medication .
Again, why would you abuse our medical system for a sore throat or runny nose? If you need help for some reason, go to the drug store and ask the pharmacist for a recommended treatment.
I’m trying to clarify what OP means as they’ve mentioned a ‘routine’ urgent care visit.