Sick husband, needs emergency surgery. How do I expedite his case?

[Ashleyyyy 3]

I’m a us citizen and my husband is sick, in constant pain and he needs an emergency surgery. He case was approved / all required documents today (feb 2 2019). I know it’s getting close but the surgery can not wait and needs to be done ASAP. The medical care in his home country is very bad and they can’t perform surgery. How can I expedite this ?

[K & R 343]

Is your case at the NVC? I think you would need a NVC case number to be able to submit an expedite now and I’m not sure how that works once the case is transferred to the embassy. You can certainly try to expedite it under an emergency situation circumstance with proof that he cannot receive the care he needs in his country. Is it possible for him to travel to another country for the procedure? That might be the quickest way to get him the care he needs. Best wishes to you! 

[C90 376]

Just now, Camarasaran said:

I’m a us citizen and my husband is sick, in constant pain and he needs an emergency surgery. He case was approved / all required documents today (feb 2 2019). I know it’s getting close but the surgery can not wait and needs to be done ASAP. The medical care in his home country is very bad and they can’t perform surgery. How can I expedite this ?

To be honest I don't know if they expedite a case based on the beneficiary needing surgery. Where is your case now? Still at USCIS or at NVC already? The first step would be to call the 'location' where the petition is right now to find out if your situation would be applicable to expedite. They usually can tell you after that what you need to do to put in an expedite request.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

  Expedite can only speed things up so much ,  he would still need medical and an interview.   How long can he put things off and do you have proof of his diagnosis ? 

 

[K & R 343]

20 minutes ago, NigeriaorBust said:

  Expedite can only speed things up so much ,  he would still need medical and an interview.   How long can he put things off and do you have proof of his diagnosis ? 

 

Yeah I agree with this it’s kinda tough now. You can expedite at the NVC stage but that stage is only a few weeks long anyway. By the time you did you probably would have your case forwarded to the embassy already and from there it just a waiting game for open interviews and a medical. Make sure you get everything ready for the medical and interview ASAP and seriously look into a possible third country option for the surgery. 

[Ashleyyyy 3]

1 hour ago, K & R said:

Is your case at the NVC? I think you would need a NVC case number to be able to submit an expedite now and I’m not sure how that works once the case is transferred to the embassy. You can certainly try to expedite it under an emergency situation circumstance with proof that he cannot receive the care he needs in his country. Is it possible for him to travel to another country for the procedure? That might be the quickest way to get him the care he needs. Best wishes to you! 

Yes it’s currently At the NVC. Yes possible for him to go to another country but it’s very expensive. 

[Ashleyyyy 3]

1 hour ago, C90 said:

To be honest I don't know if they expedite a case based on the beneficiary needing surgery. Where is your case now? Still at USCIS or at NVC already? The first step would be to call the 'location' where the petition is right now to find out if your situation would be applicable to expedite. They usually can tell you after that what you need to do to put in an expedite request.

It’s currently at the NVC . Waiting for an interview. 

[Ashleyyyy 3]

1 hour ago, K & R said:

Yeah I agree with this it’s kinda tough now. You can expedite at the NVC stage but that stage is only a few weeks long anyway. By the time you did you probably would have your case forwarded to the embassy already and from there it just a waiting game for open interviews and a medical. Make sure you get everything ready for the medical and interview ASAP and seriously look into a possible third country option for the surgery. 

Money is just currently tight right now . 

[Boiler 45,558]

How would you afford it in the US?

[Ashleyyyy 3]

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

How would you afford it in the US?

Insurance 

[Lemonslice 4,859]

1 minute ago, Camarasaran said:

Insurance 

I was covered by my husband's insurance as soon as we were married, and covered for care all over the world. Might be worth it to contact your insurance.

[nastra30 2,287]

20 minutes ago, Boiler said:

How would you afford it in the US?

I obtained a ITIN for my spouse last year and added her to my insurance this year so covered as soon she touches down in the US. Deductibles will still have to be met and that in itself is not cheap. I have a high deductible insurance so I have saved a lot (the max allowed per year) in my HSA account for the past 8 years for emergencies like surgeries. I don't know what her situation is but I'm assuming she probably already started preparing for the husband's care in the US.

Edited February 3, 2019 by nastra30

[geowrian 22,337]

Might raise some public charge issues as well if there is a pending medical issue with emergency surgery needed and money is already too tight to do it in a nearby country.

Keep in mind costs if things don't go as planned.

 

Not suggesting it will be an issue...just something to consider.

 

No harm in requesting an expedite.

 

I wish you both the best.

Edited February 3, 2019 by geowrian

[SalishSea 17,844]

Expedite is more about the USC's needs.  And if it is expedited, it could take a month.   "Emergency surgery" is usually of a more immediate nature.

[Mieka91 27]

Please don’t listen to any of these people. I waited so long before requesting expedited for my case, that I could’ve been in serious medical danger. I was expedited at both USCIS and NVC. Please feel free to message me. And don’t feel discouraged!