Dad has mild schizophrenia -- will that disqualify him during medical exam?

[mista 8]

Hi everyone. I am a US citizen helping apply for a IR5 visa for my dad and I see that there's a medical exam he will have to go through. He has had mild schizophrenia for over 50 years and is stable and even come to visit me in the United States over a dozen times without any problem on a tourist visa before. Our questions are:

 

(a) especially since he doesn't have harmful behavior (and he's over 70 anyway) will he qualify?

(b) since he has a mild case do we need to disclose it during the medical exam to keep things simple?

 

Thank you for any thoughts or suggestions

[Crazy Cat 41,608]

(b) If asked, he must disclose it during the medical.

I don't see any issues.  However, medical care is very expensive.  He will not be able to receive Medicare for 5 years. Even that will be costly.  I wish the very best for you and your family (I am 70 years old, myself). 

[mista 8]

12 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

(b) If asked, he must disclose it during the medical.

I don't see any issues.  However, medical care is very expensive.  He will not be able to receive Medicare for 5 years. Even that will be costly.  I wish the very best for you and your family (I am 70 years old, myself). 

I noticed you phrased it as "if asked" in which case we definitely will not lie about it. So if he's not asked there's no need to voluntarily disclose it?

 

Thank you for your well wishes and I understand that medical care is expensive. Being there for and caring for my aging dad after everything he's done for me is something I very much want to do and moving to where he is to do that would be more difficult.

[JeanneAdil 6,413]

So he has been diagnose with Residual schizophrenia

 

and will need treatment

u should find out what drug(s) he is taking now and look up the costs here online or better yet ,  speak to a dr who specializes in the treatment

 

When people with schizophrenia live without adequate treatment, their mental health can worsen. Not only can the signs of schizophrenia get more severe, but they can also develop other mental health disorders, including: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)Nov 11, 2019

 

He will also need 24/ care / be prepared for this as it takes a toll on the family

 

U have my prayers to handle all that will happen/ Bless u for caring so much for your father

 

[JeanneAdil 6,413]

4 minutes ago, mista said:

I noticed you phrased it as "if asked" in which case we definitely will not lie about it. So if he's not asked there's no need to voluntarily disclose it?

 

Thank you for your well wishes and I understand that medical care is expensive. Being there for and caring for my aging dad after everything he's done for me is something I very much want to do and moving to where he is to do that would be more difficult.

It will be in  his medical exam 

[JeanneAdil 6,413]

Just now, JeanneAdil said:

It will be in  his medical exam 

For example, online prices for a 30-tablet prescription range from $190 for Seroquel to $1,415 for lurasidone. After a 30% insurance copay, your out-of-pocket might range from $57 to $424.50.

[mista 8]

21 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

So he has been diagnose with Residual schizophrenia

Can he still be approved with residual/mind schizophrenia?

 

21 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

It will be in  his medical exam 

I don't think they can diagnose him since it's mild schizophrenia with an exam. Or will there be a written questionnaire?

 

 

[nelmagriffin 147]

Greetings!

I think that you might want to read the following:

reference: Medical Examinations FAQs (state.gov)

 

Medical Conditions/History

What if the applicant has a history of harmful or violent behavior?

 

Applicants with any history of harmful or violent behavior resulting in injury to people or animals, or harm to inanimate objects must provide information that will allow the panel physician to determine if the behavior was related to a psychiatric or medical problem, or to drug or alcohol use. Harmful behavior includes attempted suicide or self-harm, no matter how minor in nature.

 

 

What if the applicant has been treated or hospitalized for psychiatric or mental illness, or alcohol or drug abuse?

 

Applicants treated or hospitalized for psychiatric or mental illness or alcohol or drug abuse must present written certification including the diagnosis, duration of treatment rendered, and prognosis.

 

 

What if the applicant is being treated for a chronic medical condition or is taking medication on a regular basis?

 

Applicants being treated for chronic medical conditions, or those taking medications on a regular basis, should be familiar with the medical conditions being treated, and the names of the medications they are taking. Applicants unsure of their diagnoses must present a certificate describing the condition(s), the current treatment, and prognosis with a list of prescribed medications.

Edited February 4, 2023 by nelmagriffin

[mista 8]

9 minutes ago, nelmagriffin said:

Greetings!

I think that you might want to read the following:

reference: Medical Examinations FAQs (state.gov)

What if the applicant has been treated or hospitalized for psychiatric or mental illness, or alcohol or drug abuse?

 

Applicants treated or hospitalized for psychiatric or mental illness or alcohol or drug abuse must present written certification including the diagnosis, duration of treatment rendered, and prognosis.

 

What if the applicant is being treated for a chronic medical condition or is taking medication on a regular basis?

 

Applicants being treated for chronic medical conditions, or those taking medications on a regular basis, should be familiar with the medical conditions being treated, and the names of the medications they are taking. Applicants unsure of their diagnoses must present a certificate describing the condition(s), the current treatment, and prognosis with a list of prescribed medications.

 

Thank you. These 2 questions (and answers) are helpful. We'll go ahead and have his doctor make a written certification of diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and list of his medications to take to the medical exam in case they ask for it.

 

Does anyone know if there will be a questionnaire (written or verbal) about mental health or (I'm hoping) it's just a physical exam with blood tests and x-rays and vaccinations.

[SalishSea 17,745]

4 minutes ago, mista said:

 

Thank you. These 2 questions (and answers) are helpful. We'll go ahead and have his doctor make a written certification of diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and list of his medications to take to the medical exam in case they ask for it.

 

Does anyone know if there will be a questionnaire (written or verbal) about mental health or (I'm hoping) it's just a physical exam with blood tests and x-rays and vaccinations.

There are absolutely questions about mental health history for the immigration medical exam.   

[JeanneAdil 6,413]

27 minutes ago, mista said:

Can he still be approved with residual/mind schizophrenia?

 

I don't think they can diagnose him since it's mild schizophrenia with an exam. Or will there be a written questionnaire?

 

 

he can be approved or not / up to CO

 

it has to be disclosed as it is a psychiatric illness and he needs to take the info from the doctor who is treating him according to immigration site below

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-10-prepare-for-the-interview/medical-examination-faqs.html

 

Applicants treated or hospitalized for psychiatric or mental illness or alcohol or drug abuse must present written certification including the diagnosis, duration of treatment rendered, and prognosis.

[nelmagriffin 147]

Hello!

Read On page 9 of 14 of the form itself. 

reference: Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (uscis.gov)

[mista 8]

8 minutes ago, nelmagriffin said:

Hello!

Read On page 9 of 14 of the form itself. 

reference: Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (uscis.gov)

Oh this is helpful, thank you! This is the first time I've seen Form I-693 and I see that part 1 and 2 is to be filled out by the applicant -- is this something we need to print and fill out before the exam or will it be provided during the exam? I'm glad to know about this -- there's no way my dad would know his "Alien Registration Number (A-Number)" or his "USCIS Online Account Number" off the top of his head.

 

Parts 5 through 10 are to filled out by the "civil surgeon" so maybe we can bring the form with parts 1 and 2 filled out to the exam?

[nelmagriffin 147]

Greetings!

Back in my country, during my medical, I never have to fill any of this form, so I think that panel will be the one to fill this form. So, relax and let the medical panel team do their work.  What you needed to do at this time, is to research about your dad's maintenance pills and find a way to get a better discount as without insurance it is very expensive and with mental disorder it is very crucial not to miss a dose. I mean to have him covered with medications you must search for a better and affordable insurance; I remembered the lowest quotation that I was given back in 2009 for my mom was $549 monthly without any medical condition. So, research ahead.

[DaryaDel 2]

Hi Mista, i had my mom's medical exams few week ago and the Dr. did ask if she has any mental issues which we answered no. Otherwise he just took some blood tests and chest listening and told us if the blood test results comes back , we may have to go for an x-ray or he will have a chat with us. Once again, the mental question was a quick one but he kind of looked very intensive and long at my mom when she answered. Anyway, her GC got approved just after 2 weeks. 

I really wish you and your dad good luck through this process and hope the best happens for you both.  

 

*Forgot to mention, they require 5-6 vaccine records which we did not have for a 87 years old women during her move to U.S. So she had to take them all again. Make sure that you get those from his Dr. too

Edited February 7, 2023 by DaryaDel