by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 9:10 AM ET, Fri September 12, 2025
A British Columbia woman is warning other travellers to scrutinize their health insurance policies after a vacation in Florida turned into a financial nightmare.
RoseAnne Timbrell told Global News that she believed she was fully covered by her employer’s extended health plan when she fell ill during a trip earlier this year. Instead, she returned home to a staggering bill.
“Just absolutely shocking. I just wished I had got on the plane and come home,” Timbrell said.
In February, Timbrell and her husband travelled to Walt Disney World in Orlando. Before departing, she says she experienced flu-like symptoms but didn’t think they were serious.
After consulting her family doctor and undergoing a blood test, there was no indication of a serious health issue. “I’m still able to go to work. So if I’m able to go to work, I think I’m able to go on this vacation.”
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Once in Florida, her condition worsened. Severe stomach pain led her to an urgent care centre, where doctors recommended further screening. Before heading to the emergency room, Timbrell says she called her insurer to confirm she was covered.
“The agent said ‘Yes you are covered. When you go to the hospital, they are going to fax us something. They’re going to fax us something back and you do have extended health for out of country’ and I said ok because if not, I’m jumping on the next plane,” she told Global News.
At the hospital, doctors diagnosed her with ovarian cancer, and she remained hospitalized for five days while undergoing additional tests.
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Months later, she learned her insurer had denied the claim. The company cited a “stability clause,” arguing that her illness was linked to a pre-existing condition that had not been stable for 90 days prior to her trip.
Timbrell is sharing her story to encourage others to carefully review their travel coverage before leaving the country.
Visit travel.gc.ca/travel for information on what to look for when purchasing travel insurance.
A GoFundMe page has been launched to help her cover the outstanding costs.
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