Spousal Sponsorship - Medical (Kidney Disease)

[ariellesoler]

Hi all! Looong post ahead, sorry about that lol. I like to be as concise as possible.

I am new to this site and am looking for some advice. I am currently in the process of sponsoring my American husband (inland application). About 2 weeks ago, they sent the request for him to go for his medical and that we had 30 days to do so. We promptly booked the appointment with Panel Physician North York, and attended a couple days later and completed the exam.

My husband was diagnosed with kidney disease at 15 years old, and underwent treatment for that. His doctor in the U.S discontinued the treatment and he has been (mostly) problem-free since and is now 26 years old. We know the kidney disease is still there, he just hasn't been having issues or needed treatment.

He disclosed all of this to the doctor, and provided her with the names of medications he was taking. Of course the results showed up in his urine test, and he was sent for further blood tests. He complied, got the tests done the same day and then returned home.

Now, the doctor has reviewed his results and left a message on our phone that abnormal findings were found within his blood tests, which I'm almost 99.9% positive are related to his kidney disease, and he would need to come back and see the doctor.

I have been searching online to find out what this could mean that he would have to return, and that they simply did not mail off the results to CIC. We have been checking the number they gave us and they have not submitted anything to CIC.

I have read that he will have to go do more tests, or be referred to a specialist. I have also read that, being in the spouse category of immigration, he is exempt from being declined his permanent residency due to "being excessive demand". The Immigrations website, as a matter of fact, says, "Although such individuals must undertake a full immigration medical examination, they are not assessed for excessive demand."

Does this mean he is exempt from further investigation into is kidney disease? He disclosed it from the jump, and the tests they have run confirm this. We are worried because we have until the 10th to have the medical submitted. If he does need to see a specialist, I'm sure most of my Canadian friends can laugh at that because there's no way with our healthcare system that he will be able to get in within 10 days time.

I know I am jumping the gun and should wait to hear what they have to say, but I like to know what to expect and read about anyone who may have had similar experiences. Makes my anxiety go crazy not knowing if all this time and money we have invested into this will go down the drain Thanks for any advice!

 

[Rob_TO]

Hi all! Looong post ahead, sorry about that lol. I like to be as concise as possible.

I am new to this site and am looking for some advice. I am currently in the process of sponsoring my American husband (inland application). About 2 weeks ago, they sent the request for him to go for his medical and that we had 30 days to do so. We promptly booked the appointment with Panel Physician North York, and attended a couple days later and completed the exam.

My husband was diagnosed with kidney disease at 15 years old, and underwent treatment for that. His doctor in the U.S discontinued the treatment and he has been (mostly) problem-free since and is now 26 years old. We know the kidney disease is still there, he just hasn't been having issues or needed treatment.

He disclosed all of this to the doctor, and provided her with the names of medications he was taking. Of course the results showed up in his urine test, and he was sent for further blood tests. He complied, got the tests done the same day and then returned home.

Now, the doctor has reviewed his results and left a message on our phone that abnormal findings were found within his blood tests, which I'm almost 99.9% positive are related to his kidney disease, and he would need to come back and see the doctor.

I have been searching online to find out what this could mean that he would have to return, and that they simply did not mail off the results to CIC. We have been checking the number they gave us and they have not submitted anything to CIC.

I have read that he will have to go do more tests, or be referred to a specialist. I have also read that, being in the spouse category of immigration, he is exempt from being declined his permanent residency due to "being excessive demand". The Immigrations website, as a matter of fact, says, "Although such individuals must undertake a full immigration medical examination, they are not assessed for excessive demand."

Does this mean he is exempt from further investigation into is kidney disease? He disclosed it from the jump, and the tests they have run confirm this. We are worried because we have until the 10th to have the medical submitted. If he does need to see a specialist, I'm sure most of my Canadian friends can laugh at that because there's no way with our healthcare system that he will be able to get in within 10 days time.

I know I am jumping the gun and should wait to hear what they have to say, but I like to know what to expect and read about anyone who may have had similar experiences. Makes my anxiety go crazy not knowing if all this time and money we have invested into this will go down the drain Thanks for any advice!

The doctors job as IRCC panel physician, is to send the medical results to IRCC and that's it. They do not have authority to request additional tests on their own above and beyond what is required by IRCC, only IRCC doctors/visa officers after reviewing the results of mandated tests can request additional tests be done. Perhaps in cases where test results are unreadable due to contamination or something like that, there would be a reason.

Since spouses are excessive demand exempt, the condition should be irrelevant to the PR app.

So make sure you specifically ask the doctor exactly who is asking for the tests, them or IRCC. Ask them if they already sent the results to IRCC, and if not why they are unable to do so without the re-test being asked for. Outside of IRCC mandating the test, the doctor can of course request you come in for additional tests simply based on their recommendation for his condition, but this would be separate from the medical for PR app and entirely up to your husband if he wanted to do it.

 

[Rob_TO]

Here is some more info that explains the role of panel physician: http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/resources/publications/dmp-handbook/

In particular, note this section:
4.6 Medical History (IMM 5419)
The following table lists additional requirements when the answers to medical history questions show abnormality, whether the IME is completed in eMedical or on paper. Refer to the IMEIs for additional details.
Kidney or bladder disease
Renal disease IMEI
EDE and non-EDE clients
Urinalysis, serum creatinine (eGFR if abnormal) regardless of age

Since you mentioned you already were upfront with the doctor regarding the kidney issue, the required tests should have already been ordered for your medical. Do you know if these tests were already done? If doctor didn't order the correct tests, this may be the reason they are asking for additional ones. Again you just need to ensure you find out if what the doctor is asking is specifically required by IRCC, or if they are doing above and beyond immigration requirements for his well being.

 

[ariellesoler]

Hey there! He called today and spoke with the doctor. She had said that the case was done and submitted (contrary to what we were told from her secretary and on their site with the code we were given). She told him that the test was requested extra by CIC on top of what was done in the medical. I guess they want to stage his disease and see where he's at with it. Hopefully this will be the last of what they ask for and will allow progress in our case.

It's so strange they pursue all this even though he would exempt because he's a spouse, but I guess it's just the price we pay to bring our loved ones to Canada. Thank you for all your help!

 

[carolbb23]

Hey there! He called today and spoke with the doctor. She had said that the case was done and submitted (contrary to what we were told from her secretary and on their site with the code we were given). She told him that the test was requested extra by CIC on top of what was done in the medical. I guess they want to stage his disease and see where he's at with it. Hopefully this will be the last of what they ask for and will allow progress in our case.

It's so strange they pursue all this even though he would exempt because he's a spouse, but I guess it's just the price we pay to bring our loved ones to Canada. Thank you for all your help!

You must understand the Dr is doing her job and you must understand ircc and cic is requesting it and you have to do what they say. Right now cic is the ultimate judge

 

[ariellesoler]

You must understand the Dr is doing her job and you must understand ircc and cic is requesting it and you have to do what they say. Right now cic is the ultimate judge

Yup most definitely. We were just concerned about what was necessary and what was being asked as extra. We weren't 100% familiar with the practices as I have never sponsored someone before and he has never been sponsored, so were confused when al these extra tests etc were coming up.

I have total faith in our immigration system that they make the right choices! Thanks!

 

[carolbb23]

Yup most definitely. We were just concerned about what was necessary and what was being asked as extra. We weren't 100% familiar with the practices as I have never sponsored someone before and he has never been sponsored, so were confused when al these extra tests etc were coming up.

I have total faith in our immigration system that they make the right choices! Thanks!

they will you gotta have hope faith and paintence

 

[omnishu]

Yup most definitely. We were just concerned about what was necessary and what was being asked as extra. We weren't 100% familiar with the practices as I have never sponsored someone before and he has never been sponsored, so were confused when al these extra tests etc were coming up.

I have total faith in our immigration system that they make the right choices! Thanks!

Hi, did you make it through ?
Please share your experience, we need to know and understand. Or if there is anything you cannot share online after you get a PR ?