Hello i need help about my medical, any ideas please let me know

[CheDan 4]

Good day to everyone. I just finished my 60 days sputum culture. 8 weeks waiting is the longest 8 weeks of my life. A 60 days nightmare.

Looking back, when i had my first day of medical i had a mild cough. I never thought that a simple mild cough will delay my visa application.

Lesson learned. Be prepared physically. Make sure to be physically fit when you go for a medical. Any suspicious thing in the CHest xray is a sure slot in the SPUTUM section.

SLEC is just doing thier work and following the US-CDC guidelines.

[CheDan 4]

Don't rely on outside medical report still SLEC has the last say.. Don't be confident with your ownself but pray I think that was I learned I has granuloMA and was expecting to have sputum test but God is good got immunization on the 2nd day and now got approved for my visa...

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Hi Hank,

It's just rumors and speculations offered by others who were utterly surprised by the recent changes or policies regarding the Sputum testing requirements.

We do know they are not charging the applicants any more than already paid to them but the ramifications of this new action to all affected are pretty far reaching...

We certainly understand the importance of proper testing but the question is "What has changed or caused this new scatter gun approach"???

I emailed SLEC concerning what you had heard. According to their reply the information you have is not the prevailing procedure.

This is the text of my email to SLEC.

Within the past few days I am getting a report that SLEC/USEM is requiring most to undergo the sputum tests whether their x-ray shows any "suspicion" for TB. Can you confirm for me if this is your new policy. We are making plans for an upcoming visit to have a K-1 medical prior to my fiance's interview and this new ruling will have an impact on our travel plans. Thank you

Here is SLEC official word in return.

Dear Mr. Greenbaum

Visa medical screening is done following the CDC immigration requirements: Technical Instructions for Tuberculosis Screening and Treatment which states that all visa applicants with abnormal chest x-ray findings suggestive of a possible tuberculosis infection has to be screened with sputum exams. This has been in practice since 1991 with recent revisions in 2007 and 2009 and is being used by all panel sites screening for US visa applicants.

Thank you.

St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic

1177 J. Bocobo Street, Ermita

Manila, Philippines

Tel. Nos. (+632) 521-0020 or 523-8248

Fax. No. (+632) 526-0208 or 523-8248

Edited June 26, 2015 by Greenbaum

[ChrisnKris 6]

I emailed SLEC concerning what you had heard. According to their reply the information you have is not the prevailing procedure.

This is the text of my email to SLEC.

Within the past few days I am getting a report that SLEC/USEM is requiring most to undergo the sputum tests whether their x-ray shows any "suspicion" for TB. Can you confirm for me if this is your new policy. We are making plans for an upcoming visit to have a K-1 medical prior to my fiance's interview and this new ruling will have an impact on our travel plans. Thank you

Here is SLEC official word in return.

Dear Mr. Greenbaum

Visa medical screening is done following the CDC immigration requirements: Technical Instructions for Tuberculosis Screening and Treatment which states that all visa applicants with abnormal chest x-ray findings suggestive of a possible tuberculosis infection has to be screened with sputum exams. This has been in practice since 1991 with recent revisions in 2007 and 2009 and is being used by all panel sites screening for US visa applicants.

Thank you.

St. Luke's Medical Center Extension Clinic

1177 J. Bocobo Street, Ermita

Manila, Philippines

Tel. Nos. (+632) 521-0020 or 523-8248

Fax. No. (+632) 526-0208 or 523-8248

Hi...

Thanks for posting what you have researched. After contacting SLEC by phone we were told basically the same canned response from them.

They actually did not answer the crux of your question. "are they requiring most to submit to the Sputum testing"??.

What we learned from one of the SLEC staff on the day of my fiance' Kris' appointment is that 18 out of each 20 were subject to testing. USEM also stated they too expected most to be tested.

My fiance' was only told that the x-ray was kind of blurry. Others whom she spoke with that had the exam on the same day told the same story.

Yes, the SLEC is mandated by the US CDC to follow specific guidelines but they are only contracted by the US for this. Well, who regulates or monitors their equipment or x-ray procedures etc?? Kris was rushed into the machine and never even told to hold still. If this is the standard then it only makes sense most would appear to have abnormal chest x-rays!

We are now obviously skeptical and suspicious of their abilities and professionalism.

We will keep trying to find more answers but in the meantime let's just hope they are not just condemning all to unwarranted delays and heartaches...

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Hi...

Thanks for posting what you have researched. After contacting SLEC by phone we were told basically the same canned response from them.

They actually did not answer the crux of your question. "are they requiring most to submit to the Sputum testing"??.

What we learned from one of the SLEC staff on the day of my fiance' Kris' appointment is that 18 out of each 20 were subject to testing. USEM also stated they too expected most to be tested.

My fiance' was only told that the x-ray was kind of blurry. Others whom she spoke with that had the exam on the same day told the same story.

Yes, the SLEC is mandated by the US CDC to follow specific guidelines but they are only contracted by the US for this. Well, who regulates or monitors their equipment or x-ray procedures etc?? Kris was rushed into the machine and never even told to hold still. If this is the standard then it only makes sense most would appear to have abnormal chest x-rays!

We are now obviously skeptical and suspicious of their abilities and professionalism.

We will keep trying to find more answers but in the meantime let's just hope they are not just condemning all to unwarranted delays and heartaches...

I don't think this is a battle that you want to concern yourself with. Unless, you want to spend years trying to change protocol mandated by USCIS. They right now have the GOLD and can make the RULES, such as they are. At this point you may want to just move on as I know you are not going to have an impact on changing what their procedure is at this time.

It's not an easy pill to swallow but you need to do what will get the two of you together at the soonest. Good Luck.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I don't think this is a battle that you want to concern yourself with. Unless, you want to spend years trying to change protocol mandated by USCIS. They right now have the GOLD and can make the RULES, such as they are. At this point you may want to just move on as I know you are not going to have an impact on changing what their procedure is at this time.

It's not an easy pill to swallow but you need to do what will get the two of you together at the soonest. Good Luck.

USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) has no connection with the embassy or policy and procedures there, that is DOS (Department Of State) One thing is certain, one government agency for sure does not talk to the other....

[Greenbaum 12,259]

USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) has no connection with the embassy or policy and procedures there, that is DOS (Department Of State) One thing is certain, one government agency for sure does not talk to the other....