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-   -   Avoiding Additional Tests by Sending Medical Proofs to the Medical Assessor (https://britishexpats.com/forum/new-zealand-83/avoiding-additional-tests-sending-medical-proofs-medical-assessor-925554/)

alexc12 Jun 4th 2019 1:07 am

Xray Abnormality
 
I've submitted my medical and xray for my working holiday visa to NZ.

I was told by the panel physician who coordinated these tests that my xray was a bit abnormal with apex shadow on both lungs.

I have no symptoms of anything and have never been to a TB risk country, nor have I left the country or been sick more than a few times in literally a decade.

I was advised by the panel physician to submit my application and wait; that immigration nz will contact me if there is any issues in a few days.

It's been over a month now and there is no response; I've been told my application has been forwarded to the medical assessors.

What I am wondering is if seeing my family doctor to receive xrays and further tests to rule out any issues can then be presented as evidence to immigration to help my application? I want to avoid taking TB or other tests that will prolong the application process for months.

BEVS Jun 4th 2019 1:31 am

Re: Xray Abnormality
 
Having any visa application referred to an NZ Immigration medical assessor will always slow things up. There are not very many of them to handle the case load.

It would be the medical assessor that will decide whether they want further tests or not, however you have nothing to lose by trying to line your ducks up with further tests and results.
In any case , taking those results to your family doctor to discuss the unexpected xray results would be a wise move on your part.

Pollyana Jun 4th 2019 2:51 am

Re: Xray Abnormality
 

Originally Posted by alexc12 (Post 12693025)
I've submitted my medical and xray for my working holiday visa to NZ.

I was told by the panel physician who coordinated these tests that my xray was a bit abnormal with apex shadow on both lungs.

I have no symptoms of anything and have never been to a TB risk country, nor have I left the country or been sick more than a few times in literally a decade.

I was advised by the panel physician to submit my application and wait; that immigration nz will contact me if there is any issues in a few days.

It's been over a month now and there is no response; I've been told my application has been forwarded to the medical assessors.

What I am wondering is if seeing my family doctor to receive xrays and further tests to rule out any issues can then be presented as evidence to immigration to help my application? I want to avoid taking TB or other tests that will prolong the application process for months.

TB is unfortunately quite common in the UK these days, and you could have become a carrier without even showing serious symptoms. Checking with your GP might be a good idea.

alexc12 Jun 4th 2019 3:24 am

Re: Xray Abnormality
 
Do you know if seeing a GP and ruling out TB or an infection through them is actually useful though? As in can I provide those results to the medical assessor or case officer to expedite my application or alleviate their worries?

The problem is that it can take 2 months to hear back from the medical assessors, and then if they want you to take a TB test it goes on for 3 months, and then it's another while to do the application process all over again.

This turns what would have been a week-month application into 6-9 months.

But if my GP can rule out TB quicker, and I can have that evidence when the medical assessor contacts me, can I provide that as evidence to show I do not in fact have TB and don't require a lengthy sputum test on their end?

BEVS Jun 4th 2019 4:47 am

Re: Xray Abnormality
 

Originally Posted by alexc12 (Post 12693047)
Do you know if seeing a GP and ruling out TB or an infection through them is actually useful though? As in can I provide those results to the medical assessor or case officer to expedite my application or alleviate their worries?

The problem is that it can take 2 months to hear back from the medical assessors, and then if they want you to take a TB test it goes on for 3 months, and then it's another while to do the application process all over again.

This turns what would have been a week-month application into 6-9 months.

But if my GP can rule out TB quicker, and I can have that evidence when the medical assessor contacts me, can I provide that as evidence to show I do not in fact have TB and don't require a lengthy sputum test on their end?

If you have the skin/blood/sputum test to rule out TB then yes, you can submit that to your case officer.
All in all, you need to see your GP & possibly a consultant who will be able to eliminate the cause and also be able to suggest the cause.

MrsFychan Jun 4th 2019 9:40 am

Re: Xray Abnormality
 
I had an anomaly on my chest xray, only found out when we handed our application in in person back in 2011. They made a comment about the fact that the application will of course go to medical assessor because of the xray. The panel doctor had not mention to me about this even though I had requested that they do so if anything showed up.
I went straight to my GP and discussed with her, she sent me for a chest xray that day and got the results back a few days later. turned out it was just scarring from many years earlier when I had pleurisy. She wrote me up a report about it so I was ready if the medical assessor came back for further information. In my case they did not and passed it through without further investigation.
Why are you assuming its related to TB?

Pollyana Jun 4th 2019 12:31 pm

Re: Xray Abnormality
 

Originally Posted by alexc12 (Post 12693047)
Do you know if seeing a GP and ruling out TB or an infection through them is actually useful though? As in can I provide those results to the medical assessor or case officer to expedite my application or alleviate their worries?

The problem is that it can take 2 months to hear back from the medical assessors, and then if they want you to take a TB test it goes on for 3 months, and then it's another while to do the application process all over again.

This turns what would have been a week-month application into 6-9 months.

But if my GP can rule out TB quicker, and I can have that evidence when the medical assessor contacts me, can I provide that as evidence to show I do not in fact have TB and don't require a lengthy sputum test on their end?


You need to realise that there are two issues here.
The immigration side I will leave for those in the know.
But you really should see a GP to establish the facts for the sake of your own health and those around you. TB is treatable but you should catch it as soon as you can IF it is TB, It is still a serious condition and you should look into it as a completely separate issue from your visa.

Pulaski Jun 4th 2019 12:51 pm

Re: Xray Abnormality
 

Originally Posted by Pollyana (Post 12693043)
TB is unfortunately quite common in the UK these days, and you could have become a carrier without even showing serious symptoms. Checking with your GP might be a good idea.

I believe it always was, and IIRC there are seven strains of TB, two of which are so mild that you can have had it and not realize. …. Not sure about being "a carrier" though, but he could certainly have been infected and his lungs scarred by the disease. :unsure:

alexc12 Jun 4th 2019 1:00 pm

Re: Xray Abnormality
 

Originally Posted by MrsFychan (Post 12693137)
I had an anomaly on my chest xray, only found out when we handed our application in in person back in 2011. They made a comment about the fact that the application will of course go to medical assessor because of the xray. The panel doctor had not mention to me about this even though I had requested that they do so if anything showed up.
I went straight to my GP and discussed with her, she sent me for a chest xray that day and got the results back a few days later. turned out it was just scarring from many years earlier when I had pleurisy. She wrote me up a report about it so I was ready if the medical assessor came back for further information. In my case they did not and passed it through without further investigation.
Why are you assuming its related to TB?

I'm not assuming it's TB. Like I said, I don't have any symptoms. However, the shadows are in both upper lungs, which I believe is where TB can be. My worry is mostly because I assumed that immigration is incredibly cautious, and anyone who even has an abnormality that could in any way look like TB or infectious will be given a TB (sputum) test.

You also say you had scarring. That might look entirely different on an xray than shadowing and might be able to be ruled out immediately based on nothing but the xray images; shadowing might not (idk I'm not a lung specialist). Plus, you also have a history to explain why you have scarring, whereas I have a clean history and no explanation.

alexc12 Jun 4th 2019 1:08 pm

Re: Xray Abnormality
 

Originally Posted by Pollyana (Post 12693203)
You need to realise that there are two issues here.
The immigration side I will leave for those in the know.
But you really should see a GP to establish the facts for the sake of your own health and those around you. TB is treatable but you should catch it as soon as you can IF it is TB, It is still a serious condition and you should look into it as a completely separate issue from your visa.

Yea. The panel physician that coordinated the tests told me not to panic and that there is no point to see my GP because it's probably nothing and they would contact me if there was an issue and how to fix it anyway; also stating the GP can't help me with my visa because it has to be through immigration's instructions and doctors.

Although with that said, I was also wondering if immigration can look at your most recent medical records? I figured if I start panicking and going and getting xrays and tests from GP, then perhaps it look bad to a medical assessor/case officer (if they can see your medical records). Like maybe they would think I do have something if I'm going around getting all these tests; whereas if I left it alone they might just give me a pass as it's probably nothing. Idk maybe I'm just being paranoid here but I'm just trying to avoid delays. I work from home, had an xray last year that was clear, am barely around people for long, etc -- so I don't feel like I have anything.

Pulaski Jun 4th 2019 1:15 pm

Re: Xray Abnormality
 

Originally Posted by alexc12 (Post 12693214)
I'm not assuming it's TB. Like I said, I don't have any symptoms. ….

That is perfectly possible with some strains of TB. :nod:

Pollyana Jun 4th 2019 4:38 pm

Re: Xray Abnormality
 

Originally Posted by alexc12 (Post 12693218)
Yea. The panel physician that coordinated the tests told me not to panic and that there is no point to see my GP because it's probably nothing and they would contact me if there was an issue and how to fix it anyway; also stating the GP can't help me with my visa because it has to be through immigration's instructions and doctors.

Although with that said, I was also wondering if immigration can look at your most recent medical records? I figured if I start panicking and going and getting xrays and tests from GP, then perhaps it look bad to a medical assessor/case officer (if they can see your medical records). Like maybe they would think I do have something if I'm going around getting all these tests; whereas if I left it alone they might just give me a pass as it's probably nothing. Idk maybe I'm just being paranoid here but I'm just trying to avoid delays. I work from home, had an xray last year that was clear, am barely around people for long, etc -- so I don't feel like I have anything.

Immigration may request that you supply a copy of your medical records but under UK Data Protection laws they cannot access them without your permission

BEVS Jun 4th 2019 10:52 pm

Re: Xray Abnormality
 

Originally Posted by alexc12 (Post 12693218)
-- but I'm just trying to avoid delays. I work from home, had an xray last year that was clear, am barely around people for long, etc -- so I don't feel like I have anything.

I can understand your concern over a delay with the WHVisa processing time as you probably had a set travel date in mind. As I wrote there are relatively few medical assessors to deal with the referral caseloads so there will be a delay whilst they get to your application to consider it. They deal with the global case load in order of referral. At one point there were just 4 medical assessors and the timeline was around 10 weeks. I am trying to find the current info on this .

Which country are you residing in? UK? Elsewhere?

When the NZ immigration case officer received your application they will have used a check list to approve , decline or pass the application for further checking. As your xray has shown issues , it was passed to a medical assessor. Yes. The concern for them will likely be if TB is present. Your concern should be that there are shadows at all given that your last xray one year ago was clear & you have felt you had no ill health - as in bronchitis, acid reflux, pleurisy , pneumonia etc. As MrsFychan wrote, there can be many reasons for scarring and shadows on lungs . Your GP ( family doctor) can send you for an xray and review your medical history to hopefully pinpoint the cause. No. NZ immigration cannot access your medical records at all without your permission.

As it has already been a month, you could try contacting a case officer to ask how long current referrals are taking. I would again suggest you get your ducks in a row by visiting your family doctor to request further chest xrays with a thought to pinpoint the cause. Once you have this then you could submit to NZ Immigration .

Was this an online application?





Originally Posted by NZ Immigration
Immigration officers use your graded examination results to help them decide if you have an acceptable standard of health.An immigration officer may refer your results to our medical assessors if we need medical advice to decide if you have an acceptable standard of health. We may also ask you to provide more information about your health before making a decision.



alexc12 Jun 6th 2019 12:53 am

Re: Xray Abnormality
 

Originally Posted by BEVS (Post 12693454)
I can understand your concern over a delay with the WHVisa processing time as you probably had a set travel date in mind. As I wrote there are relatively few medical assessors to deal with the referral caseloads so there will be a delay whilst they get to your application to consider it. They deal with the global case load in order of referral. At one point there were just 4 medical assessors and the timeline was around 10 weeks. I am trying to find the current info on this .

Which country are you residing in? UK? Elsewhere?

When the NZ immigration case officer received your application they will have used a check list to approve , decline or pass the application for further checking. As your xray has shown issues , it was passed to a medical assessor. Yes. The concern for them will likely be if TB is present. Your concern should be that there are shadows at all given that your last xray one year ago was clear & you have felt you had no ill health - as in bronchitis, acid reflux, pleurisy , pneumonia etc. As MrsFychan wrote, there can be many reasons for scarring and shadows on lungs . Your GP ( family doctor) can send you for an xray and review your medical history to hopefully pinpoint the cause. No. NZ immigration cannot access your medical records at all without your permission.

As it has already been a month, you could try contacting a case officer to ask how long current referrals are taking. I would again suggest you get your ducks in a row by visiting your family doctor to request further chest xrays with a thought to pinpoint the cause. Once you have this then you could submit to NZ Immigration .

Was this an online application?

Yes it was an online application. Also, I am from Canada.

I went to my GP and he believes I do not have anything (given my history and that I have no symptoms); however, he didn't initiate the xray obviously.

He suggested I get another chest xray through him and then compare that to the one I also had last year, and if both are clear as the one last year was, then the xray which I did a month ago for immigration is a glitch --- especially as I couldn't be free of something like TB on an xray in a month. He then suggests I should send both the old xray and newest xray which are clear to Immigration.

I guess my question is if sending these xrays in BEFORE the medical assessor comes to a decision to give to the case officer regarding my application status is a good idea, or if I should do so after the case officer has gotten back to me with the decision of the medical assessor?

Furthermore, what evidence is needed to prove these xrays are legitimate and are actually of me? Xray reports are literally just sheets of paper with some text that could easily be reproducible/altered in something as basic as microsoft word. Now there are some unique numbers such as ACCESSION # (e.g. 1234567A) and MRN # (e.g. 123456) but I'm not sure if immigration can do anything with that. So do you know if the medical assessor would call my GP or is there another way to verify the legitimacy of the documents to him/her?

BEVS Jun 6th 2019 3:46 am

Re: Xray Abnormality
 

Originally Posted by alexc12 (Post 12693883)

He suggested I get another chest xray through him and then compare that to the one I also had last year, and if both are clear as the one last year was, then the xray which I did a month ago for immigration is a glitch ---

I'd go along with that logic.


I guess my question is if sending these xrays in BEFORE the medical assessor comes to a decision to give to the case officer regarding my application status is a good idea, or if I should do so after the case officer has gotten back to me with the decision of the medical assessor?
Do it now. Do it before.


Furthermore, what evidence is needed to prove these xrays are legitimate and are actually of me?
Confirmation & identifying letter from your doctor should do it.


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