Medical Exam - Diabetes

[TonyUK 0]

Anyone know of anyone who has had the exam for spouse visa to america and is diabetic.

I have my med exam due on aug 21st and my interview at the london embassy on 11th sep.

I was to understand this is purely for contagious diseases, so why does 1 of the 8 questions involve do i have diabetes, which should in no way affect my visa application, yet i cant find anyone whos diabetic ever applying for a visa to america so im on edge the fact ive funded the entire visa fees out of my own pocket without knowing if this is a reason i can be turnd down for a visa :/

[amykathleen2005 441]

Anyone know of anyone who has had the exam for spouse visa to america and is diabetic.

I have my med exam due on aug 21st and my interview at the london embassy on 11th sep.

I was to understand this is purely for contagious diseases, so why does 1 of the 8 questions involve do i have diabetes, which should in no way affect my visa application, yet i cant find anyone whos diabetic ever applying for a visa to america so im on edge the fact ive funded the entire visa fees out of my own pocket without knowing if this is a reason i can be turnd down for a visa :/

I can't be of real help because we haven't gone through the medical yet, but my fiance is also from the UK and has diabetes. This is what the embassy site says about it:

http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/iv/medexam.html

No mention of it there.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I have type 1 diabetes as well and did when my fiance petitioned for me in 2003. It has never been an issue anywhere in the process, neither at the immigration medical, at the K-1 visa interview or in any of the process since. I was just approved for my citizenship this week. Diabetes is considered a Class B medical condition - they record it but there isn't any concern about it. You won't be turned down for a visa because of it, but you may be asked about health insurance coverage for when you get to the US.

Of more concern than any possible immigration issue with diabetes is the health insurance coverage for you when you arrive. Insulin and test strips and medications cost a lot - more than they cost for me back home in Canada - and even with health insurance there is a co-pay (my co-pay now equals what I paid out of pocket for my diabetes supplies back in Canada). Bring along proof that UK provides insurance coverage for your diabetes because many insurers here have a pre-existing clause which means you are not covered for any existing illnesses when you start your coverage with them unless you can prove you had insurance coverage immediately before their coverage starts. If you need to you might want to purchase some supplemental insurance to cover you until your spouse can add you to her insurance plan through work.

Be prepared to bring enough supplies to last you through several months. It took me nearly 4 months before I was able to get in to see an endocrinologist - 3 months to see a family physician - because those were the first appointments available. A lot will depend on where you are moving but it is best to be prepared. Bring along copies of your prescriptions as well- they won't work here but it will give your health care provider information about continuing your treatment. Also see if your current doctor will give you a copy of your medical records to bring with you so you can give your new health care provider copies.

Hope this helps. Good luck - and don't worry.

Edited August 15, 2009 by Kathryn41

[TonyUK 0]

I have type 1 diabetes as well and did when my fiance petitioned for me in 2003. It has never been an issue anywhere in the process, neither at the immigration medical, at the K-1 visa interview or in any of the process since. I was just approved for my citizenship this week. Diabetes is considered a Class B medical condition - they record it but there isn't any concern about it. You won't be turned down for a visa because of it, but you may be asked about health insurance coverage for when you get to the US.

Of more concern than any possible immigration issue with diabetes is the health insurance coverage for you when you arrive. Insulin and test strips and medications cost a lot - more than they cost for me back home in Canada - and even with health insurance there is a co-pay (my co-pay now equals what I paid out of pocket for my diabetes supplies back in Canada). Bring along proof that UK provides insurance coverage for your diabetes because many insurers here have a pre-existing clause which means you are not covered for any existing illnesses when you start your coverage with them unless you can prove you had insurance coverage immediately before their coverage starts. If you need to you might want to purchase some supplemental insurance to cover you until your spouse can add you to her insurance plan through work.

Be prepared to bring enough supplies to last you through several months. It took me nearly 4 months before I was able to get in to see an endocrinologist - 3 months to see a family physician - because those were the first appointments available. A lot will depend on where you are moving but it is best to be prepared. Bring along copies of your prescriptions as well- they won't work here but it will give your health care provider information about continuing your treatment. Also see if your current doctor will give you a copy of your medical records to bring with you so you can give your new health care provider copies.

Hope this helps. Good luck - and don't worry.

Thanks for the replies. Ill be ok on supplies i have 2 years worth of insulin, needles, test strips, i asked my doctor for 500 blood strips last week and took my prescription to the pharmacy and the staff asked me oddly "Are you SURE you want 500 strips?" as for my insulin theyve always given me more than i use so i have a nice little stock, not bothered about it being on a plane for 12hrs either as i found out recently thanks to wiki that the insulin i use has been debated that it could be better kept in room temperature rather than a fridge so atleast it doesnt go off Thanks again for your help.

[GuardianOne 0]

Make sure you pack the insulin, since airlines will probably think the liquid is for bombs.

[imaisha 1]

The most important thing that London cares about is that you have documentation regarding your condition. It seems you've got it well under control and that's great. You should get a letter from your GP stating when you were diagnosed, the course of treatment you use to manage it and that the condition is stable. You definitely won't be turned down but Knightsbridge's approval of your medical may be delayed if they have to wait for you to contact your doctor and fax over that letter. You've got some time so it's best to be prepared to bring that with you to the medical and they'll be all set.