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Colitis - will it be a problem passing medical for PR?


Guest ChiltzandTig

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Guest ChiltzandTig

Hi all

 

Yesterday I was shocked to be diagnosed with colitis.

I dont think I have it badly, as feel well in myself etc and am still at work/at the gym etc.

 

My OH has just passed his Vetassess practical in carpentry, and we were planning to apply for a 175/176 visa on 1 July.

 

My question to anyone out there is whether my condition will stop our migration plan in its tracks. Dont want to waste 5k on applying, if it is known that they wont accept me, but equally dont want to fall at the first hurdle. Having only had this disease for a coupla months, I guess its difficult to say how the condition will effect me long-term, so am worried about how to prove anything to the medics.

 

That said, the rate visas are getting processed, it could concievably be 2 years before my meds are requested, right. By which time, more would be known about my condition, I guess.

 

Any advice gratefully received!

 

Many thanks...:embarrassed:

 

Tig

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Hi ChiltzandTig,

 

It is really hard to say whether you would fail the health requirement or not as obviously every case is different. Some people with I.B.D. fail it and some don't, and from what I can glean it depends what severity the M.O.C. assesses you at (mild, moderate, or severe), whether you've been hospitalised recently, what meds you are on, etc.

 

I'm an Australian citizen and my husband has ulcerative colitis. We applied for a spouse visa and it was refused based on my husband failing the health requirement. The M.O.C. assessed him with moderate I.B.D. and costed him at $100,000 over a lifetime (the magic number you need to be below is $21,000). Unfortunately the assessment from the M.O.C. does not state how they came to the $100,000 figure. It's also important to note, that that figure is based on a hypothetical person with moderate I.B.D. who will be using all possible health and community services available to them - they don't look at individual factors.

 

In my husband's case, even though he's in remission and is active and works full time, I believe the cost estimate was high because he is on remicade, a very expensive drug, and he was hospitalised approximately a year ago for a couple of days. If you've never been hospitalised and you basically are asymptomatic, and not taking meds or taking less expensive meds then your costing will probably be much lower. I've seen others in these forums who've had I.B.D. and have passed the health requirement OK. I would suggest, when you are asked for a specialist's report, that you have the specialist emphasise that your condition is very mild, you can work, etc.

 

Also, given that you are applying for a 457 visa which is a temporary visa, I believe you must take out private insurance and you're responsible for all health costs while in Australia, which works in your favour. Also, because it's not a permanent residency visa, your health costs won't be assessed over a lifetime which also works in your favour. Based on all these things, I'm inclined to think that you'd get through it all OK.

 

Best of luck!

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Guest ChiltzandTig

Thanks for your helpful post.

I think (and hope) I have a very mild form, but having just had the diagnosis I dont know what the future holds.

That said, I am well and working...

I think I will discuss with the consultant. Maybe he can write in my notes that it is a very mild case or something and give me a copy to send.

One thing I did wonder about tho...we will be applying for a 175/176 permenant visa. I have private health insurance here, which I think I could carry over to Oz. Meaning that it would be at no expense to the Ox government. Would this work in my favour?

 

Many thanks again.

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Thanks for your helpful post.

I think (and hope) I have a very mild form, but having just had the diagnosis I dont know what the future holds.

That said, I am well and working...

I think I will discuss with the consultant. Maybe he can write in my notes that it is a very mild case or something and give me a copy to send.

One thing I did wonder about tho...we will be applying for a 175/176 permenant visa. I have private health insurance here, which I think I could carry over to Oz. Meaning that it would be at no expense to the Ox government. Would this work in my favour?

 

Many thanks again.

I assume it would help but I don't really know enough about the 457 visa. It does appear that for temporary visas it's a lot easier to get through the health assessment than for permanent visas because of the condition that temporary visa holders must have their own health insurance.

 

It'd be so helpful if they provided a list up front of the conditions and severity of condition that might result in failing the health requirement, wouldn't it!

 

best wishes

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Guest nicandbren

Hi - I've had UC for 10 years, I'm on daily meds and I've just been granted a 457. Each case is obviously different though and it was a stressful time waiting to hear (that doesn't help the UC!). One hurdle cleared but another down the line if we want to apply for PR where they seem to be harder on any chronic condition. Best of luck

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  • 7 months later...
Guest milliebooboo

Hi nicandbren, please can you tell me what meds your on for ulcerative colitis. My OH has recently been started on ayzathioprin. We are currently in the middle of applying but dont want to risk losing visa money if its a no go. Thanks Millie x

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Guest Sarah Johnson

Hey

 

I have colitis and am working on a temporary visa in Australia at the moment. I am about to lodge a spouse visa and have a full medical. I have been informed that it will not make a difference. They are looking more for TB and chest related issues. I know several people who have gone through the process in the UK prior to coming out here and said the same. You will need private health cover though here as the medical system is not as good as the NHS. I would not let your illness stop you from fulfilling your dreams. Good luck

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Guest nicandbren
Hi nicandbren, please can you tell me what meds your on for ulcerative colitis. My OH has recently been started on ayzathioprin. We are currently in the middle of applying but dont want to risk losing visa money if its a no go. Thanks Millie x

 

Hi

 

I'm on 50mg azathioprine and 4g Asacol / mezzalazine a day. Made sure I included a letter from my consultant with the medical stuff about my prognosis. The prescription cost for me here in Oz is about $120 a year. Good luck and try not to stress! I've not had a flare up (touch wood!) since getting here 8 months ago

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest milliebooboo
Hi

 

I'm on 50mg azathioprine and 4g Asacol / mezzalazine a day. Made sure I included a letter from my consultant with the medical stuff about my prognosis. The prescription cost for me here in Oz is about $120 a year. Good luck and try not to stress! I've not had a flare up (touch wood!) since getting here 8 months ago

 

Thanks for that, Billy has been prescribed azathioprine and is currently on asacol. He hasnt started the azathioprine yet as we are waiting for his baseline bloods to come back. Im hoping once he starts that he will be ok.

Did they not bother at all that you had colitis ?? Im so worried as Australia is our dream and i know he will be better if we live in a warm sunny climate.

Thanks so much for your reply, youve made me feel so much better about it. :biggrin:

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  • 8 months later...
Guest milliebooboo
Would you be able to tell more about what steps you took to ensure that you come through PR medicals okay? I am currently on 457 and am applying for ENS PR but have been diagnosed with Chron's - on mesalazine daily for maintaining remission. I am concerned as to whether I shall be able to pass the medicals at all.

 

Hi.... I was worried sick about failing the medicals but im sure you will be fine. Its only if you are on very expensive drugs like infliximab that you get rejected. As long as you are under control on a cheap drug which mesalazine is, you will be fine. :biggrin:

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Guest milliebooboo

Hey no probs.... I know how you feel, its a worry. Its my OH that has the colitis. We went to see his consultant (privately) and he wrote a letter to the dr who performed the medicals in Manchester. We had to wait about a month untill we had word we had passed the medicals and got a visa. I know someone who is applying at the moment and has latent TB and has been advised she should be ok, so im sure you will be fine. good luck x

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  • 4 months later...

Hello all.

 

I know this is an old thread, but wondered if anyone had been in a similar position to me.

 

I take Remicade (infliximab) for Crohn's, which is an expensive medication - but am going through the 457 process (temporary visa, so i will have to pay for my own medication).

 

Does anyone know what position this will put me in? From reading other posts, it seems as though they are likely to refuse me for entry if i were to apply for a permanent visa, but not sure about a temporary one?

 

I have a medical next week and am stressing about it!

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  • 1 year later...

Hi Hoons,

 

I am aware this was posted sometome ago .... how did you get on with your medicals ?

 

We are in the same situation and my husband has Ulcerative Colitis. He has never been hospitalised however he takes medication every day to control his condition (azathioprine tablets).

 

We are applying for PR visa and at the stage where we have to attend our medicals very soon - really starting to worry now! We are going to take a letter from the hospital consultant along to our medical, explaing about my husbands prognosis.

 

I would be keen to hear how you got on!

 

Thanks,

 

Hello all.

 

I know this is an old thread, but wondered if anyone had been in a similar position to me.

 

I take Remicade (infliximab) for Crohn's, which is an expensive medication - but am going through the 457 process (temporary visa, so i will have to pay for my own medication).

 

Does anyone know what position this will put me in? From reading other posts, it seems as though they are likely to refuse me for entry if i were to apply for a permanent visa, but not sure about a temporary one?

 

I have a medical next week and am stressing about it!

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  • 4 years later...
1 hour ago, Daman said:

Hi I am Daman. I am patient of Ulcerative colitis and getting infleximap infusion every 8 week that cost $1820 . I am going to apply visa 190. Can my medical condition be reason to get refusal

my advice would be to get urgent advice from a good agent. George Lombard is an agent that specializes in visa medical issues

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  • 5 years later...
On 31/07/2013 at 12:21, GOwen said:

Hi Hoons,

 

I am aware this was posted sometome ago .... how did you get on with your medicals ?

 

We are in the same situation and my husband has Ulcerative Colitis. He has never been hospitalised however he takes medication every day to control his condition (azathioprine tablets).

 

We are applying for PR visa and at the stage where we have to attend our medicals very soon - really starting to worry now! We are going to take a letter from the hospital consultant along to our medical, explaing about my husbands prognosis.

 

I would be keen to hear how you got on!

 

Thanks,

 

Hi I know this was a long time ago now but I wanted to know if you were granted your PR as we are in the same situation. Thanks x

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