Lawyer recommendations for medical inadmissibility?

[Zoide]

What lawyers do people recommend for medical inadmissibility, and what would be the approximate costs?

I have Crohn's Disease and, while it is fully under control, I would like to be prepared in case my PR application gets rejected because of that.

The CanadaVisa.com folks recommened that I contact the Bellissimo Law Group, so I wrote to them to ask about their services and fees. Unfortunately, they said that I needed to pay $300 for a consultation to get more information. It's kind of hard to compare options when you have to pay so much just to get an approximate quote

Furthermore, I read the following in another thread which doesn't bode well:

I recently had an interaction with Bellissimo (potential employer paid for a consult re: work visa with them). RUN FAR AWAY fro Bellissimo. They:
Wanted far too much money ($3500 vs $1000-$1200 for a visa from similar lawyers)
Were slow to get back to me
Were evasive on what services were actually being supplied for the fee, to the point I believe they were trying to mislead me

I contacted for my brother's h$c process with bellissimo group n they told me the charges of $6500

[http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/complicated-case-looking-for-the-best-lawyer/-t399601.0.html]

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[lifein360]

Unfortunately, most lawyers in Toronto charge such fees. You will be hard pressed to find one who will charge less than $2000.

 

[Zoide]

Unfortunately, most lawyers in Toronto charge such fees. You will be hard pressed to find one who will charge less than $2000.

$2000 is one thing, but the people I quoted above mentioned fees of $3500 and even $6500

 

[slw]

I am not an expert but I don't think you would get rejected because of Chron's diseases.

Here is more information:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/medic/admiss/index.asp

Instead of going to a lawyer I would go directly to a panel physician and ask them the question. Also if you do your medical you can get a copy of the results and you will see what they submit to CIC. If you are worry you can also get a letter from your family doctor and add it to the letter of explanation that it is under control and wont involve an excessive demand on health services.
This is my opinion so hopefully a senior/expert can confirm this.

 

[xpressentry]

As long as you stay away from gluten you should be fine

 

[Zoide]

Thanks, but in my case diet is not a sufficient treatment. In fact, I was misdiagnosed with Celiac Disease and did a gluten-free diet for 3 years, with no improvement.

It was only after I was correctly diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and prescribed biologics (first Remicade, and now Humira), that I went into remission.

The thing is that biologics are quite pricey, and IRCC sets limits on people's monetary burden to the health system. I'm half expecting them to initially reject me, but then accept me if I present a good remediation plan (e.g., keep paying for my insurance in Costa Rica and go there every so often to get my medication).

I'm pretty positive about my chances, but I don't want to blow my chance of the "Canadian dream" by some silly mistake if a professional can advice me. Provided the cost is reasonable

How much time do people get to respond in case of medical inadmissibility? Would it be OK to hold off on getting a lawyer until (*if*) I get rejected? Or should I proactively start preparing for it?

My medical evaluation appointment is tomorrow morning. I'll follow people's advice and be upfront with the doctor to get his opinion.

Thanks

 

[tormentor]

If it is just prescription drugs that is the concern, then you shouldn't worry too much. Since they are not covered by insurance anyway, that value should not be added when assessing against the threshold. At least that's what my understanding says. People who are rejected on medical grounds usually have issues beyond just prescription drugs.

 

[grapehair]

I'm not a physician but a dentist. Crohn's disease is very prevalent, much like hypertension or hypercholesterolemia (increased cholesterol). The treatment itself isn't expensive as long as you keep up with the docs visit for follow-ups. It surely won't be a burden for the healthcare system over there

 

[ozlis]

As long as you stay away from gluten you should be fine

Wow, really? This is not the place for medical advice, particularly based on next to no information from the OP.

Lets keep the advice to immigration.

 

[ozlis]

Thanks, but in my case diet is not a sufficient treatment. In fact, I was misdiagnosed with Celiac Disease and did a gluten-free diet for 3 years, with no improvement.

It was only after I was correctly diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and prescribed biologics (first Remicade, and now Humira), that I went into remission.

The thing is that biologics are quite pricey, and IRCC sets limits on people's monetary burden to the health system. I'm half expecting them to initially reject me, but then accept me if I present a good remediation plan (e.g., keep paying for my insurance in Costa Rica and go there every so often to get my medication).

I'm pretty positive about my chances, but I don't want to blow my chance of the "Canadian dream" by some silly mistake if a professional can advice me. Provided the cost is reasonable

How much time do people get to respond in case of medical inadmissibility? Would it be OK to hold off on getting a lawyer until (*if*) I get rejected? Or should I proactively start preparing for it?

My medical evaluation appointment is tomorrow morning. I'll follow people's advice and be upfront with the doctor to get his opinion.

Thanks

Here is an outline of the process, you get opportunities to have your input and also appeal if need be. I would hold off on the lawyer until you need it.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/medic/admiss/process.asp

 

[kumar30]

What lawyers do people recommend for medical inadmissibility, and what would be the approximate costs?

I have Crohn's Disease and, while it is fully under control, I would like to be prepared in case my PR application gets rejected because of that.

The CanadaVisa.com folks recommened that I contact the Bellissimo Law Group, so I wrote to them to ask about their services and fees. Unfortunately, they said that I needed to pay $300 for a consultation to get more information. It's kind of hard to compare options when you have to pay so much just to get an approximate quote

Furthermore, I read the following in another thread which doesn't bode well:

[http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/complicated-case-looking-for-the-best-lawyer/-t399601.0.html]

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I dont think Crohn's Disease will show up in your Medical since they mainly check for TB and AIDS and other deadly viruses.... I think you would pass the Medical...

 

[kryt0n]

That's not how it works.

You're asked if you have any on going conditions which this is.

The Dr will then list the prescription medicines. The officer will then calculate the cost of these drugs. If it's over the yearly threshold, $6550, the applicant may be inadmissable and will be asked to justify/fairness letter.

 

[Zoide]

That's not how it works.

You're asked if you have any on going conditions which this is.

The Dr will then list the prescription medicines. The officer will then calculate the cost of these drugs. If it's over the yearly threshold, $6550, the applicant may be inadmissable and will be asked to justify/fairness letter.

A year's treatment of Humira is way over that (~$20,000)...

I'm confused though, as you're saying that it's factored in buy someone else said they don't count medications.

 

[DelPiero07]

A year's treatment of Humira is way over that (~$20,000)...

I'm confused though, as you're saying that it's factored in buy someone else said they don't count medications.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/medic/admiss/excessive.asp

Read "instructions for medical officers"

 

[Zoide]

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/medic/admiss/excessive.asp

Read "instructions for medical officers"

Thanks! Very interesting:

Since most health services are publicly funded, without any cost-recovery mechanism, the courts have held that an applicant’s willingness or ability to pay is not a relevant factor. In Deol v. Canada (M.C.I.), 2002 FCA 271, the Federal Court of Appeal said:

“The Minister has no power to admit a person as a permanent resident on the condition that the person either does not make a claim on the health insurance plans in the provinces or promises to reimburse the costs of any services required.”

However, in Companioni v. Canada (M.C.I.), 2009 FC 1315 and later cases, the Federal Court allowed some flexibility in assessing the applicant’s ability to defray the costs of outpatient medication, such as HIV antiretroviral therapy. Therefore, medical officers have to make an individualized assessment of the medical file, the required outpatient medication, the availability of private insurance and the ability to opt out of publicly funded drug plans in the province or territory where the applicant intends to reside."