Medical inadmissibility

[Willani]

Hello I am currently applying for a Residence permit, I haven’t done medicals yet, I have metabolic syndrome and I’m currently using about eight medications overall, I had a stroke incident a few years back , fortunately for me I was not disabled or affected by it and I hardly have to visit the hospital except for prescription for medications I am worried that my drugs will render me inadmissible as they are plenty. Advice please?

 

[GandiBaat]

Hello I am currently applying for a Residence permit, I haven’t done medicals yet, I have metabolic syndrome and I’m currently using about eight medications overall, I had a stroke incident a few years back , fortunately for me I was not disabled or affected by it and I hardly have to visit the hospital except for prescription for medications I am worried that my drugs will render me inadmissible as they are plenty. Advice please?

You need to work with your physician and specialist (who are treating you right now) to get a note about the extent of damage from stroke. They can provide details as why the stroke was not as damaging, is it NOT expected to reoccur say in a period of 5 years or may be maximum 10 years. May be based on your steps that have been taken, may be based on meds, may be based on your age, gender, vitals etc. This will help the medical panel to conclude that your condition is stable and is not expected to deterioate in coming 5-10 years. It is important to know the word "expected". Why? Because it is different than the word "vulnerable".

For instance, a smoker is more vulnerable than normal population to lung cancer for sure but unless there are some specific medical findings it is not possible to conclude that he is EXPECTED to have lung cancer in 5-10 years. A person on dialysis might be expected to deteriorate and require a transplant in say 5-10 years BUT a diabetic with controlled diabetes and no evidence of kidney failure is NOT expected to require a transplant or dialysis in coming 5-10 years. Even though s/he is more vulnerable to such a condition than average population. You will need your doctors to state what is EXPECTED in your case and corroborate with the medical findings.

For meds, you need to generic name of drugs and figure out the total cost per year. Hopefully this is under 3 times average Canadian cost criteria together with physician visits or specialist visits.

Another factor will be what kind of specialist consultation you may require. And how often. For instance, cardiologist or neurologist or another specialist. Canada has a dearth of certain specialist. Will you need them? If you will, can you prepare a plan so that you won't be a burden on Canadian health system?

With this kind of work you might just be able to get a medical clear. Good luck!

 

[Willani]

You need to work with your physician and specialist (who are treating you right now) to get a note about the extent of damage from stroke. They can provide details as why the stroke was not as damaging, is it NOT expected to reoccur say in a period of 5 years or may be maximum 10 years. May be based on your steps that have been taken, may be based on meds, may be based on your age, gender, vitals etc. This will help the medical panel to conclude that your condition is stable and is not expected to deterioate in coming 5-10 years. It is important to know the word "expected". Why? Because it is different than the word "vulnerable".

For instance, a smoker is more vulnerable than normal population to lung cancer for sure but unless there are some specific medical findings it is not possible to conclude that he is EXPECTED to have lung cancer in 5-10 years. A person on dialysis might be expected to deteriorate and require a transplant in say 5-10 years BUT a diabetic with controlled diabetes and no evidence of kidney failure is NOT expected to require a transplant or dialysis in coming 5-10 years. Even though s/he is more vulnerable to such a condition than average population. You will need your doctors to state what is EXPECTED in your case and corroborate with the medical findings.

For meds, you need to generic name of drugs and figure out the total cost per year. Hopefully this is under 3 times average Canadian cost criteria together with physician visits or specialist visits.

Another factor will be what kind of specialist consultation you may require. And how often. For instance, cardiologist or neurologist or another specialist. Canada has a dearth of certain specialist. Will you need them? If you will, can you prepare a plan so that you won't be a burden on Canadian health system?

With this kind of work you might just be able to get a medical clear. Good luck!

Thank you very much for this response I said I suffered no ill effects because the doctors said there was no damage back then and the condition that caused the stroke has disappeared as for other things, I do occasionally have to see the cardiologist and endocrinologist and do some bloodwork every few months. I’d also like to add that my conditions are being well managed confirmed by the tests i took recently. can I prepare a plan along with my application? Or do i have to wait to get a rejection letter first?

 

[dd23]

If your body functions are normal at the time of your medical exam, no need to worry as the blood work will be OK.

 

[canuck78]

If your body functions are normal at the time of your medical exam, no need to worry as the blood work will be OK.

Lying can lead to you being banned and not the correct advice to be providing,

 

[canuck78]

Thank you very much for this response I said I suffered no ill effects because the doctors said there was no damage back then and the condition that caused the stroke has disappeared as for other things, I do occasionally have to see the cardiologist and endocrinologist and do some bloodwork every few months. can I prepare a plan along with my application? Or do i have to wait to get a rejection letter first?

You should prepare a list of your medications. Given that there seems to be cardiac involvement in your metabolic disorder you may be required to do a cardiac check-up. Will depend on the cost of your medications in Canada, the standard treatment for your disease and your prognosis.

 

[Willani]

You should prepare a list of your medications. Given that there seems to be cardiac involvement in your metabolic disorder you may be required to do a cardiac check-up. Will depend on the cost of your medications in Canada, the standard treatment for your disease and your prognosis.

Thank you very much for your response I was wondering if I could submit a plan along with my application as I am already used to paying for my medication I don’t mind continuing to pay for it if it will alleviate my costs

 

[GandiBaat]

Thank you very much for this response I said I suffered no ill effects because the doctors said there was no damage back then and the condition that caused the stroke has disappeared as for other things, I do occasionally have to see the cardiologist and endocrinologist and do some bloodwork every few months. I’d also like to add that my conditions are being well managed confirmed by the tests i took recently. can I prepare a plan along with my application? Or do i have to wait to get a rejection letter first?

Getting a note from your own doctors and specialist corroborated by tests will help a lot. This should go in your medical exam, together with a list of your meds.

Cost part, specialist needed may be required if you get a "Procedural Fairness Letter". Just know that in advance so you don't have to scram when it happens.

Might want to also work with a immigration lawyer or a consultant to ensure right information is presented at right time. My observations were a general guideline.

 

[GandiBaat]

If your body functions are normal at the time of your medical exam, no need to worry as the blood work will be OK.

Yes and no. Yes because that gives a picture of what your state is today. No because your history will suggest further investigation.

As someone said, "Lying is not an option.", if found out you will face misrepresentation ban hammer.

 

[legalfalcon]

Hello I am currently applying for a Residence permit, I haven’t done medicals yet, I have metabolic syndrome and I’m currently using about eight medications overall, I had a stroke incident a few years back , fortunately for me I was not disabled or affected by it and I hardly have to visit the hospital except for prescription for medications I am worried that my drugs will render me inadmissible as they are plenty. Advice please?

To read on medical inadmissibility see https://bit.ly/2Q1n16d

The determination of medical admissibility is done by IRCC. The panel physician or your own doctors have no role in it. The panel physician only transmits the medicals as per IRCC protocols.

 

[GandiBaat]

The determination of medical admissibility is done by IRCC. The panel physician or your own doctors have no role in it. The panel physician only transmits the medicals as per IRCC protocols.

I will caution against the notion that "The panel physician or your own doctors have no role in it". IRCC does not take a decision in the vacuum. They are informed by the findings and notes of both panel physician (your current state during exam) and the doctors who are treating you (your medical history). Both of them provide valuable inputs which lead to the decision.

 

[legalfalcon]

I will caution against the notion that "The panel physician or your own doctors have no role in it". IRCC does not take a decision in the vacuum. They are informed by the findings and notes of both panel physician (your current state during exam) and the doctors who are treating you (your medical history). Both of them provide valuable inputs which lead to the decision.

Please read the law.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/medical-requirements/refusals-inadmissibility/excessive-demand-on-health-social-services.html

The panel physician merely conducts the medical examination as specified by IRCC manual , and submits the report. It is the Migration Health Branch (MHB) that makes a determination on the inadmissibility of an applicant and not the panel physician.

Any doctor who is not a panel physician has no role. His opinion does not count. However, as per the manual, if a panel physician finds an abnormal report or finding, he has an obligation to refer the applicant to a specialist. However, it may or may not be related to the immigration examination.

 

[GandiBaat]

Please read the law.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/medical-requirements/refusals-inadmissibility/excessive-demand-on-health-social-services.html

The panel physician merely conducts the medical examination as specified by IRCC manual , and submits the report. It is the Migration Health Branch (MHB) that makes a determination on the inadmissibility of an applicant and not the panel physician.

Any doctor who is not a panel physician has no role. His opinion does not count. However, as per the manual, if a panel physician finds an abnormal report or finding, he has an obligation to refer the applicant to a specialist. However, it may or may not be related to the immigration examination.

Please read the manual that you have yourself linked to, specifically this part

General information about the IME
The IME consists of a medical history, physical examination, age-specific laboratory tests and age-specific chest x-ray.

Usually, routine, age-specific laboratory and radiologic tests include:

• urinalysis – applicants age 5 and older
• chest x-ray (posterior-anterior view) – applicants age 11 and older
• syphilis – applicants age 15 and older
• HIV – applicants age 15 and older
• serum creatinine – applicants age 15 and older

A medical examination includes any or all of the following:

• physical examination
• mental examination
• review of past medical history
• laboratory test
• diagnostic test
• medical assessment of records respecting the applicant
• urinalysis – applicants age 5 and older
• chest x-ray (posterior-anterior view) – applicants age 11 and older
• syphilis – applicants age 15 and older
• HIV – applicants age 15 and older

Pray tell me how will any panel physician review past medical history without consulting findings of the patients own doctors, specialists, their prescribed tests and medicines?
And by extension, pray tell me how will IRCC form an opinion without the findings of panel physician?

 

[legalfalcon]

Please read the manual that you have yourself linked to, specifically this part


Pray tell me how will any panel physician review past medical history without consulting findings of the patients own doctors, specialists, their prescribed tests and medicines?
And by extension, pray tell me how will IRCC form an opinion without the findings of panel physician?

Pray tell me how will any panel physician review past medical history without consulting findings of the patients own doctors, specialists, their prescribed tests and medicines?

The medical history is self declared and is asked for only the following as specifically stated in the manual:



There is no criteria to seek or ask for any prior medical report, and neither does the manual state so.

If an applicant has a report or prescriptions, and if declared by the applicant, they will be verified by the panel physician, only to the extent of the self declared history.

Opinions of other doctors DOES NOT count. Also, the panel physician will conduct the examination as per the manual and submit the report.

Medical inadmissibility is the sole prerogative of IRCC. Based on the assessment fo the Migration Health Branch (MHB) the Officer who has the carriage of the file will make an assessment of inadmissibility as stipulated in the manual.

Only when there is a finding of an abnormality in the report, and as stipulated by the manual, the panel physician may refer the applicant to a specialist for specific reports or tests. And even when a referral is made, the manual specifically states:

"All consultants and specialists must send reports directly to the applicant’s panel physician. They must not send reports to panel physicians through the applicant. Consultants, specialists and facilities that provide supplemental tests need to understand that the request for additional information is for a medical evaluation for Canadian immigration purposes – and not intended for therapeutic purposes or to establish medical fitness to fly."

The report of the specialist, to whom the applicant was referred, will be transmitted to IRCC for assessment, and IRCC will make a determination on inadmissibility.

Read my original response:

"The determination of medical admissibility is done by IRCC. The panel physician or your own doctors have no role in it. The panel physician only transmits the medicals as per IRCC protocols."

If you have any further views, feel free to propagate!!

 

[GandiBaat]

The medical history is self declared and is asked for only the following as specifically stated in the manual:

The information in the form is not enough.
Here are instructions given by IRCC to Clients :
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/medical-exams/requirements-permanent-residents.html#bring

• proper identification – at least 1 government-issued document with your photograph and signature, such as a passport or national identity card
  • You may also use a Canadian driver’s license, but only in Canada
• eye glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them
• any medical reports or test results that you have for any previous or existing medical conditions
• a list of your current medications
• the Medical Report form (IMM 1017E), if you don’t get an upfront medical exam
  • We’ll send you this form

Why will they need past medical reports or test results if entire history was based on self-declaration?

Also there are anecdotal incidences like this : https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/ee-medical-epilepsy.472610/post-8785303

Here, IRCC specifically asked the client's own specialist about their "dependence" due to epilepsy.

An involved and complicated case history like OP's will warrent past tests and opinion of OP's own doctors to factor into the understanding of IRCC.