Houston Doctors recommend ER for something that is NOT an emergency. How can I prevent this from happening again?

This happened a few months back, but I’m now racking up the bills.

So, I had a virtual/video physicians visit with an unnamed physician with a clinic here in Houston because I was experiencing pain similar to the likes of a UTI/bladder infection. The visit was virtual because I was unable to find a physician in Houston that would see me in person due to COVID and such. I described the symptoms in depth with the assumption that he would prescribe me some antibiotics, which is what I know I needed, and carry on with the day. Well, he basically said he could not diagnose me or prescribe antibiotics based on the symptoms and told me I needed to go to the Emergency Room. I said that is not an option because my insurance wont cover much. He then said that “he has no other suggestions”. I then scheduled a second virtual visit with another physician in Houston. This physician told me the same thing verbatim; that I needed to go to the Emergency Room because I could not be diagnosed.

By the time I was done with these virtual visits, I was in a lot of pain and could not wait around any longer. I needed antibiotics now!

I went to the nearest ER (MTHDST in the medical district) and waited NINE HOURS just for them to tell me that it was in fact a bladder infection. They prescribed me antibiotics and I was on my way.

So because clinics were closed for in-person visits, the GP’s refused to diagnose or prescribe medication and I was forced to go to the emergency room just to get antibiotics. This could have easily been solved at a GP’s office. Instead, I’m sitting here with a $30,000 ($40,000 total/$6,000 out of pocket) bill over something very miniscule.

Has this ever happened to anyone here in Houston? How could I prevent this from happening again? I should NOT have to go to the ER over something so small. The ER is for emergencies, not a stomach infection. What if I have a gap in my insurance and something like this happens again? I would go in debt trying to visit the ER without insurance. Sorry angry rant. I’m done now.

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Edit: The total bill was around $40,000. I'm paying $6,000 out of pocket.