DOS Instructions on Appointing Physicians for K-3s

P 142133Z SEP 01
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS PRIORITY
SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM
POUCH
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
POUCH FREETOWN
POUCH DUSHANBE
POUCH PRISTINA
POUCH NDJAMENA

UNCLAS STATE 159440

VISAS -- INFORM CONSULS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS, CMGT
SUBJECT: K3/4 VISA PROCESSING AND REQUIREMENT FOR PANEL PHYSICIANS

REFTELS: A) STATE 57338 A) 9 FAM SECTION 42.66 N4. B) 97
STATE 240218

1. An ALDAC will be coming out shortly to provide an
update on K visa processing. Because K3 visas must be
issued in the same foreign state in which the marriage
occurred, many posts that do not issue IVs will be
required to issue K3s and K4s and will need panel
physicians equipped to perform the standard IV medical
exam.

2. Any post that does not have a panel physician should
appoint one as soon as possible. Consular officers have
the authority to appoint panel physicians without prior
approval from the Department. The United States Public
Health Service (USPHS) recommends that consular officers,
in selecting panel physicians, seek the advice of the
local medical community, medical associations in the area,
and any U.S. Government physicians who may be available
locally. RMOs may provide advice when there are no
medical resources at Post.

3. Basic criteria include the physicians satisfactory
completion of medical education and possession of a
medical degree from an accredited medical school. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend
that the consular officer should request and verify two
professional references from the physician. A hospital
facility may be used, if appropriate, if one or two
physicians are designated as responsible and accountable
for the medical examinations of all the visa applicants.
Medical examination forms must be completed in English so
the physican should write and speak English. USPHS
recommends that the physician have special competence in
the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with
tuberculosis and venereal disesases and should be able to
recognize mental illness. The physician should have
reliable X-ray facilities or access to such facilities and
should be able to make arrangements for laboratory work to
be performed by a laboratory of recognized competence.
The panel physician should sign an agreement with the
consular officer to provide services for one year.

4. The consular office should monitor the services and
facilities provided by the panel physician. (Again, the
RMO may be able to assist with monitoring.) CDC teams
visit selected posts periodically to evaluate panel
physicians. RMOs and consular officers are welcome to
join them. As a monitoring device, some posts are
conducting periodic exit interviews regarding procedures
used in the medical exam. When applicants come to pick up
their immigrant visas, officers pose a series of questions
about the exam that CDC developed.

5. Consular officers who are not familiar with the IV
medical exam requirements and forms should review the
steps outlined in 9 FAM 42.66 N4 and the procedural notes
for 42.66. 97 State 240218 discusses working with M/MED
on panel physician selection and monitoring. In addition
to the current FAM notes, CDC and VO have drafted a more
detailed guide to selecting panel physicians that includes
a detailed checklist for monitoring the Medical Exam for
Immigrant Visas. This document, entitled "How to Select
a Panel Physician and Monitor the Medical Examination for
Immigrant Visas," will be circulated via the next Consular
E-Zine and added as a FAM Exhibit.

6. Posts with questions may contact CA/VO/F/P (Laurie
Trost) by e-mail, phone (202-663-1498) or fax (202-663-
3897) for more information regarding establishing and
monitoring a panel physician program.
POWELL