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Sask. family facing $250K medical bill

Feb 20, 2018 | 4:00 PM

The family of Alicia Garlock, a young Melfort woman who died in China, has been dealt another blow less than a week after her passing. 

The family was informed by the Chinese hospital where she was staying that they must pay $250,000 before the body can be returned to Canada.

Garlock’s brother Travis told northeastNOW his sister had insurance through the school she was teaching at but the family isn’t clear on the coverage.

“It’s still a little foggy as to what the insurance is, from my understanding it’s not going to cover everything,” Travis said.

Alicia moved to China last year to teach but was hospitalized in January after getting very sick from a mysterious illness. The family launched a GoFundMe page to help cover medical costs while she was there, and to date have raised nearly $27,000. Travis said the school showed interest in assisting with the medical bill but have since pulled back the offer.

“The gentlemen said he was going to help take care of the hospital bill which is actually part of their school. He kind of backed out so that left us in a tight spot,” he said.
 
The Garlock family is in contact with the province. The government will contribute some funding back to the family but the costs need to be covered up front. Travis said his sister could have followed through with more research on her coverage and said the family hopes others learn from their tragic situation.

“We can’t help my sister anymore but we can let anyone else know that if they are going overseas to work or anything triple check your coverage. If you need more, get more,” Garlock said.

northeastNOW reached out to Global Affairs for comment, but so far our calls have not been returned.

 

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