HIV positive and applying for express entry

[expressin19]

Hi, My CRS score is 470 and I am waiting in the pool for the next draw. Historical trends suggest I should be getting ITA soon.
The problematic part is - I am HIV+ for almost 3 years now. I have always maintained an undetected viral load and have no other co-infections. I am taking a generic formulation of Atripla available here in India under the brand name "Viraday".
Recent posts by various members of this forum suggest that under extended threshold limits for excessive demand which kicked in from April 2018, most of the HIV cases involving the taking of Atripla have been approved.
My question is -
1) Since the cocktail combination I take is not available in Canada under the brand name Viraday, would it create a problem in my case if I mention it on my documentation? Can I take the liberty to write Atripla instead (my prescription only mentions Viraday)?
2) Would any good soul be kind enough to explain in detail the process of health exam in cases like mine? What documents should I be ready with to produce before a panel physician?

Thanks.

 

[expressin19]

@express2020 Can I request you to post a reply?

 

[kdb2018]

First of all congrats for your score and I admire the positivism showed by you. I have researched a lot about medical health and Express Entry. The medical screening is not a clear one. There are lot of reports mentioned in CIC's health reports however the entire decision lies with the doctor. As per my understanding your country's healthcare system also has an effect. The good news is you cannot be rejected just be cause you are HIV+ however your application might be delayed from 3-6 months just to clear the medicals because CIC might recommend new tests for you. Having said that my suggestion would be to go visit panel physician with all the necessary docs and be openly transparent. I am sure you will get through.

 

[express2020]

1) Pls always Mention that you are taking "Viraday". you can include it as "VIRADAY - generic version of ATRIPLA" in your medical exam questionnaire, Letter of Explanation. while you are filling the application form of EE profile.

you have to extremely careful than a guy with no medical history. never give them a chance to find any misrepresentation.

 

[express2020]

2) You will be first put through the following exams on ur Initial Visit

i) 501 Medical Examination
ii) 502 Chest X-ray Examination
iii) 707 HIV test
iv) 712 Syphilis Test (VDRL or RPR)
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Your 707 will be Reactive (Positive) as expected. They will either call u another day for


Your Panelist Doctor will then ask you to sign a "POST TEST COUNSELLING FORM" and then refer you to an Internal Medicine Specialist for 722 HIV Specialist report (or he may take the case ahead if he is qualified)......dono how things work in Indian hospital for CIC exams ( For me, my own doctor in US whom I am seeing for treatment was Qualified enough to be HIV Specialist and he wrote a report for me and send it directly to CIC Panelist doctor at his request)
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When you are going to Initial health exam, take your health history records from the day you were diagnosed three years ago to recent most labs. and most importantly ask for your doctor to write a brief medical history with your name, passport number, Nadir CD4 & VL, current CD4 and VL status and medicine name ( ask him to mention as Viraday - Indian generic version of ATRIPLA) in his official letterhead.

 

[express2020]

v) 722 HIV Specialist report:
A recent report from an infectious disease specialist is required.
Please provide information about the applicant's HIV status including
viral load and CD4, AIDS-defining conditions, likely need for ARVs
and when, and prognosis.

Either CIC Panelist Doctor or the Specialist he recommended will then sit with you and discuss your treatment history. if you have all the records from the day you got diagnosed it would be better. else he will ask another round of CD4 and VL testing at his hospital to verify your records. He will then submit it to CIC Panelist doctor, who will then submit the entire medical report with all 5 reports to CIC.

Additional Tests may be asked by CIC in the future with related your medical report.

if I were you I will check myself for Syphilis, HEP A/B if sexually active in the past three months (and gets the necessary treatment if reactive) before I walk into the medical exam. Your file will move quickly if you have been treated or in treatment. if something pops up for the very first time during CIC exam then you will miss the 6 month Express Entry timeline.

Feel free to ask if you have any more questions. Good Luck

 

[canuck78]

Canada doesn't have national pharmacare program so finding a job with benefits will be important. You can only bring a 90 day supply of medication with you. It can also take a while to find a doctor.

 

[express2020]

Unless you are a refugee / Physically challenged there is no point in relying on the 5 Federal drug assistance programs. But there are many states which provide you ARV drugs for free regardless of your age and income limit. if you smartly choose the province that you want to settle you can easily manage it.

It is relatively very easy to find an Internal medicine doctor in any big city. All states have HIV Assistance hotlines.

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These 8 provinces offer universal coverage of antiretrovirals for all of their residents living with HIV (no income limit ) and provide free antiretrovirals (ARV) drugs at no cost to their residents, though these provinces do not provide universal coverage of prescriptions not related to HIV.

British Columbia - $0 Premium, $0 Deductible, $0 Co-Pay

under the British Columbia Centre for Excellence HIV Drug Treatment Program for HIV-positive BC residents and Residents with coverage from another jurisdiction awaiting BC medical coverage.

Alberta - $0 Premium, $0 Deductible, $0 Co-Pay

under Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, Specialize High-Cost Drug Program for Alberta Registered residents.

Prince Edward Island - $0 Premium, $0 Deductible, $0 Co-Pay

under PEI Pharmacare for all PEI registered residents.

New Brunswick - $0 Premium, $0 Deductible, $0 Co-Pay

In New Brunswick, because premiums and co-payments were waived and not collected, the
New Brunswick Prescription Drug
Program & HIV/AIDS
Plan
functions as a universal one f
or all registered New Brunswick residents not receiving private insurance. Patients living in New Brunswick were not eligible for free antiretrovirals from the government if they received any benefits from a private plan,

whether the plan was full or partial

Saskatchewan - $0 Premium, $0 Deductible, $0 Co-Pay

On Apr. 10, 2018, the government of Saskatchewan announced a change in its reimbursement policy to provide universal coverage for HIV medication to all registered residents. The old Saskatchewan Drug Plan / Special Support Plan is undergoing changes and the SK registered residents who earlier paid a premium if their ARV drug costs greater than 3.4% of their taxable income, currently doesn't pay any premium or deductible.

Nova Scotia - $0 Premium, $0 Deductible, Co-Pay (4 copayments of $11.25 dispensing fee for each 90-day prescription totaling $45 annually )

All HIV +ve residents of Nova Scotia are covered under the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness — Provincial High-Cost Drug Program.

Northwest Territories (NWT) - $0 Premium, $0 Deductible, $0 Co-Pay

All Non-Indigenous registered NWT residents are covered under "Extended Health Benefits for Specified Disease Conditions Program"

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The following States have had either a co-payment or a deductible, or both, for antiretrovirals.

Ontario - $0 Premium, Deductible (~4% of net household income; prorated and payable quarterly), Co-Pay ($2 per prescription)

For all Registered Ontario residents enrolled in the Trillium Drug Program who have high drug costs relative to their income

Quebec - $0-$667 Premium, Deductible based on the price of Rx, 34.5% Co-Pay
Quebec collected a yearly income-based premium of $0 to $667 from noninsured people whether they purchased ARV drugs or not. If one purchased ARV drugs from Quebec drug formulary, he has a monthly deductible of Rx (eg . $19.45 for Atripla) × 34.5% co-pay (up to a maximum of $88.83/mo ($1066/yr))


Manitoba - $0 Premium, $0 Co-Pay
Deductible for All Manitoba residents: 3.05%–6.9% of adjusted family income**; not prorated; minimum $100/yr . “total adjusted family income” is the total taxable income minus $3000 for each dependent under the age of 18 years.

New Foundland & Labrador - $0 Premium, $0 Deductible
Residents with eligible drug costs that exceed 5% of net income < $40 000
Copayment rate = income × 5% / total drug expenditure
Residents with eligible drug costs that exceed 7.5% of net income between $40 000 and $74 999
Copayment rate = income ×7.5% / total drug expenditure
Residents with eligible drug costs that exceed 10% of net income $75 000 to < $149 999
Copayment rate =income ×10% / total drug expenditure

Yukon - $0 Premium, Deductible - First $250 of eligible costs per year ($500 per family), $0 Co-pay
Under the Chronic Disease and Disability Benefits Program for registered Yukon residents.

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Private or employment Insurance does come in handy if you live in the states with a complicated Healthcare system. Do note that Coordination of benefits with private insurers was allowed in all programs sharing antiretroviral costs except Quebec

 

[canuck78]

Anticipate that these programs can change at any time. Most of these programs are geared to populations that are often homeless, drug addicted or unemployed in order to try and prevent the spread of disease. That is why there is a huge program in BC. Like many things in Canada, if you have means you are often expected to pay even though it may be on a sliding scale. As healthcare budgets increases you will likely see higher co-pays for those who can afford it. Anticipate if you have private insurance the government will expect that you use your private insurance first and government benefits second. It can also take a few months to get accepted into special drug cost programs you could have to pay upfront and then have to try and recuperate your costs.

You also need to read up on the residency requirements needed to qualify for healthcare. A valid card doesn't mean you qualify. It is especially important if you land and then move provinces. You should move to the province you anticipate settling in.

Canada has provinces and territories not States.

 

[express2020]

It changes when it changes and It happens when it happens......Anticipation and Hallucination doesn't help anyone

Residency requirements have been well read and researched. You don't have to be a homeless, drug addict or unemployed to get into these special ARV drug programs. The state (provinces) health website has all the information regarding the programs.. Let the HIV + people read them and discuss them and decide what's the best for them.

 

[expressin19]

It changes when it changes and It happens when it happens......Anticipation and Hallucination doesn't help

Residency requirements have been well read and researched. You don't have to be a homeless, drug addict or unemployed to get into these special ARV drug programs. The state (provinces) health website has all the information regarding the programs.. Let the HIV + people read them and discuss them and decide what's the best for them.

Thank you for providing optimism. I understand there are many on this forum who lack a complete understanding of the full picture and yet shoot their mouths off. Grateful you could take out time to reply.

 

[canuck78]

It changes when it changes and It happens when it happens......Anticipation and Hallucination doesn't help

Residency requirements have been well read and researched. You don't have to be a homeless, drug addict or unemployed to get into these special ARV drug programs. The state (provinces) health website has all the information regarding the programs.. Let the HIV + people read them and discuss them and decide what's the best for them.

Pointing out why some provinces have free access to HIV medication and some don't. BC had to create programs due to the skyrocketing rates of hep C and HIV due to the concentration of IV drug users. If you are an economic immigrant and are able to be employed you should be planning on seeking out a job with extended health benefits to pay for your HIV medication like anyone else with a chronic condition.

 

[expressin19]

Hi folks, I am applying for EE and my AOR is 18 April. I am HIV positive and on Atripla. At the time of my initial IME, I submitted 722(HIV Expert Report) and other tests. Now My medical center informed me that there are further requirements and two new popups on my application- 1)Consent Form and 2)Province and Duration of stay. Is it normal? which province should I mention for fastest processing of my application

 

[express2020]

Hi folks, I am applying for EE and my AOR is 18 April. I am HIV positive and on Atripla. At the time of my initial IME, I submitted 722(HIV Expert Report) and other tests. Now My medical center informed me that there are further requirements and two new popups on my application- 1)Consent Form and 2)Province and Duration of stay. Is it normal? which province should I mention for fastest processing of my application

There is nothing like the fastest processing by choosing the right province. The timeline will be regular ... currently for someone with medical history is somewhere between 7-9 months from AOR date.


1 ) if ur applying with a married partner then, a Consent form is normal...but sign it anyway even if you are single

2) There must be an issue...they are not supposed to ask you province and duration of stay .... it's a PR....why they would ask you the duration of stay?.. doesn't make sense

Dint you choose your intended province while applying? give that province name for safer side

 

[Zolti]

Hi, My CRS score is 470 and I am waiting in the pool for the next draw. Historical trends suggest I should be getting ITA soon.
The problematic part is - I am HIV+ for almost 3 years now. I have always maintained an undetected viral load and have no other co-infections. I am taking a generic formulation of Atripla available here in India under the brand name "Viraday".
Recent posts by various members of this forum suggest that under extended threshold limits for excessive demand which kicked in from April 2018, most of the HIV cases involving the taking of Atripla have been approved.
My question is -
1) Since the cocktail combination I take is not available in Canada under the brand name Viraday, would it create a problem in my case if I mention it on my documentation? Can I take the liberty to write Atripla instead (my prescription only mentions Viraday)?
2) Would any good soul be kind enough to explain in detail the process of health exam in cases like mine? What documents should I be ready with to produce before a panel physician?

Thanks.

Hi!! Did you get the PR?