I got RFE on medical for my wife's case. To paraphrase what my lawyer said,
"They are asking her to go back to the doctor who performed the medical
exam and have him/her properly complete the Form I-693 as related to the tuberculosis test. They say it was not properly documented."
She also added,
"That is the only language presented by CIS."
This is because my wife got a false positive on TB skin test from the BCG shot she took when she was a kid. The doctor insisted that a chest X-ray was not necessary even after I repeatedly asked for it. Now I know that TB test section was not properly documented but I'm not sure if I have enough information for the doctor to properly complete the form. Would the doctor know what to do differently this time?
Here's what I want to say. All the evidences could have been filed all at once in the first place. Is there any USCIS rules or regulations that discourage a civil surgeon from providing a chest x-ray result to prove that the positive TB skin test result is from BCG vaccination? I wonder if he did this intentionally so that I make a second trip for his profit. A friend of mine went to the same doctor a few years ahead of me and she got RFE on medical for a similar if not the same reason--the form not properly documented--I don't know if it was about the TB skin test. I will find out if he charges again for a whole medical exam.
Of course, I don't want to pick a fight with him now. But, once I get the approval and if I can find out he is doing this intentionally, I think I should do something for future aos applicants.
I'm going to make a call to the doctor's office tomorrow but I'd appreciate your thoughts and advice before I do that.
Yes got the original medical form back from USCIS. All I had to do was to ask the doctor to fill in the missed sections and the doc gave me a new test results form in a sealed envelope. Did not take any new tests.
Ask you lawyer for a copy of the RFE. You would need that when you go to your doc.
COOWBOY,
I see you responded your medical RFE on 7/20.
I am also in same boat I responeded for Medical Sking test RFE on the same day. The FedEX online says they received the papers on Jul 20th. Surpisingly there is no LUD on my case status. DO you had any LUD after submitting medicals (after RFE). Looks like TSC is slow in updating servers or they are overloaded with incoming mails. Any input?
My wife's case is more or less similar to everyone else's on this thread, whilst my 485 got approved back in January '07, my wife's case remains pending. We responded to an RFE issued by NSC on the 12th of April (RFE issued in January for +ve reaction to TB skin test due to BCG) with the Chest X ray results confirming -ve TB (couldn't have an X Ray earlier due to pregnancy) and the entire Medicals that we redid from the same USCIS certified Surgeon.
Since then she has neither received an update on her status nor a single LUD; her case status has (as below). We touched base with the Center sicne this message has past 60 days and the agent has no new updates:
I assume spouse's case (if an RFE is issued) goes into low priority, any thoughts?
Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS
Current Status: Response to request for evidence received, and case processing has resumed.
On April 12, 2007, we received your response to our request for evidence. We will notify you by mail when we make a decision or if we need something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. You should expect to receive a written decision or written update within 60 days of the date we received your response unless fingerprint processing or an interview are standard parts of case processing and have not yet been completed, in which case you can use our processing dates to estimate when this case will be done. This case is at our NEBRASKA SERVICE CENTER location. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.
My wife's details:
EB1 - C
I 485/AP/EAD: (RD) 09/13/06; (ND) 10/18/06
LUD: 01/23/07 (RFE issued); 04/13/07 (RFE update)
FP: 11/18/06
AD: awaiting...
My wife and I went to the doctor's office last week. It was another unpleasant experience. I had a 10 o'clock appointment and I was asked to come back at 2 because the assistant was too busy to get my wife's chart from their record room. Isn't it part of her job? What's the point of making an appointment? It's a horrible place but let's not side track too much.
Anyway, at the end of the second visit to check the result of the TB skin test, I asked for a copy of the first medical exam form since they didn't give me one two years ago. I was shocked. It turned out that the doctor completely screwed up the original medical form. I don't know what he is smoking. He checked a box for a TB patient although crossed out the word "active", which is false--my wife has never had a TB. He checked a box for TB skin test not done, which is also false--my wife and I both vividly remember her having done the skin test. No wonder she got the RFE. As far as the immigration officer can see, she is a TB patient without any record of treatment.
She had to have another skin test and it was negative. Yes.. I asked for a copy of the medical record before it was put into the envelope and double checked. Hopefully my wife and I never have to see the doctor again. ever.
By the way, the RFE letter from USCIS had a URL for a clarification on the TB skin test issue, which is http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/updates.htm
It seems to me that the rules are quite clear whether you like them or not. I hope the information helps those who are preparing the medical exam or those who got medical RFE on TB skin test. In a nutshell, you will need a TB skin test if you haven't had one in the US. Those who had BCG vaccination will most likely need both a TB skin test and a chest x-ray. Your doctor might say with a chest x-ray you don't need a tb skin test. That may be true from medical perspective but probably doesn't mean anything to an immigration officer as USCIS goes by the CDC rules.
My wife and I went to the doctor's office last week. It was another unpleasant experience. I had a 10 o'clock appointment and I was asked to come back at 2 because the assistant was too busy to get my wife's chart from their record room. Isn't it part of her job? What's the point of making an appointment? It's a horrible place but let's not side track too much.
Anyway, at the end of the second visit to check the result of the TB skin test, I asked for a copy of the first medical exam form since they didn't give me one two years ago. I was shocked. It turned out that the doctor completely screwed up the original medical form. I don't know what he is smoking. He checked a box for a TB patient although crossed out the word "active", which is false--my wife has never had a TB. He checked a box for TB skin test not done, which is also false--my wife and I both vividly remember her having done the skin test. No wonder she got the RFE. As far as the immigration officer can see, she is a TB patient without any record of treatment.
She had to have another skin test and it was negative. Yes.. I asked for a copy of the medical record before it was put into the envelope and double checked. Hopefully my wife and I never have to see the doctor again. ever.
By the way, the RFE letter from USCIS had a URL for a clarification on the TB skin test issue, which is http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/updates.htm
It seems to me that the rules are quite clear whether you like them or not. I hope the information helps those who are preparing the medical exam or those who got medical RFE on TB skin test. In a nutshell, you will need a TB skin test if you haven't had one in the US. Those who had BCG vaccination will most likely need both a TB skin test and a chest x-ray. Your doctor might say with a chest x-ray you don't need a tb skin test. That may be true from medical perspective but probably doesn't mean anything to an immigration officer as USCIS goes by the CDC rules.
Sooo... it turned out that the doc was an idiot as I said. Sorry about that. How come we have to deal with a bunch of idiots... life is tough.
Anyway, good thing your wife's skin test was negative. Hope the rest of the processing will go smoothly for her.
JustMyKarma,
Did you received RFE notice or attorney of record ? I am also in same kind of situation, I know my wife couldn't complete her TB test because of pregnancy. If I understand right, your case is approved and wife case is still pending ?.
Could please answer me..
Thanks in advance.
Probably, this is their way of making more money. I am sure you paid for your two visits skin tests.