Immigration Medical Exam

[CitizenUS 0]

$260 US cash for the "civil surgeon" and another $750 US to the lab for tests.

What a racket !!!

[raymaga 25]

I don't remember anyone having to pay "lab" costs. I know neither myself (K-1) nor my daugher (K-2) did.

Where are you having your medical exam.

[sasaqlain 24]

HUH!!!! That is TOOO much! I paid $160 to the Doctor, cash ofcourse, which he pocketed, tax free, ofcourse. In my case, I had to undergo the full vaccination course, since i didn't have records from my country. I don't think Lab tests are supposed to cost that much, if ever needed.

Edited May 28, 2009 by saspak

[Aloe 10]

WOW!! I really hope you did NOT pay that much!

I paid $160 for the CS also and I had my blood drawn at a clinic for free! It's so important to call around to as many CS as possible even if it means you are going to have to go for an hour drive to get there when there is one 5 minutes away. The prices vary SOOOO much I was quoted for $300 for the civil surgeon and then an additional $360 on top of that for blood work. I called several that were similar prices or more. I then called the one that I went to and they suggested that I went elsewhere to get my blood test AND gave me a list of places that did it for free. They also gave me suggestions of where I would get the HPV vaccine for free however, I ended up not having to get that as I got a letter from a doctor stating I was allergic. Then their fee was $160 for the TB test and the two visits.

[lechatnoir 0]

WOW!! I really hope you did NOT pay that much!

I paid $160 for the CS also and I had my blood drawn at a clinic for free! It's so important to call around to as many CS as possible even if it means you are going to have to go for an hour drive to get there when there is one 5 minutes away. The prices vary SOOOO much I was quoted for $300 for the civil surgeon and then an additional $360 on top of that for blood work. I called several that were similar prices or more. I then called the one that I went to and they suggested that I went elsewhere to get my blood test AND gave me a list of places that did it for free. They also gave me suggestions of where I would get the HPV vaccine for free however, I ended up not having to get that as I got a letter from a doctor stating I was allergic. Then their fee was $160 for the TB test and the two visits.

If you are able to add your spouse to your health plan after marriage (which I am) can you use health insurance benefits at the civil surgeon or do you have to pay out of pocket?

[CitizenUS 0]

HUH!!!! That is TOOO much! I paid $160 to the Doctor, cash ofcourse, which he pocketed, tax free, ofcourse. In my case, I had to undergo the full vaccination course, since i didn't have records from my country. I don't think Lab tests are supposed to cost that much, if ever needed.

That was the cost for us here in Wisconsin, USA for my Canadian husband. We looked online for a CS and used the one that was the less expensive......$260 vs $310.

The doctor ordered a myriad of tests and we just got the bill. Zoster, HIV, Mumps, Rubella, etc, etc, etc. She ordered tests that she didn't even report on the I-693 !!! Some Civil Surgeon !!!

I am steaming angry. The "lab" is going to get their money $50 a month and not a penny more.

What a racket is all I can say.

I am going to attach the bill from the lab to the sealed envelope from the surgeon just so immigration knows what we paid for "tests".

Edited May 28, 2009 by CitizenUS

[CitizenUS 0]

WOW!! I really hope you did NOT pay that much!

I paid $160 for the CS also and I had my blood drawn at a clinic for free! It's so important to call around to as many CS as possible even if it means you are going to have to go for an hour drive to get there when there is one 5 minutes away. The prices vary SOOOO much I was quoted for $300 for the civil surgeon and then an additional $360 on top of that for blood work. I called several that were similar prices or more. I then called the one that I went to and they suggested that I went elsewhere to get my blood test AND gave me a list of places that did it for free. They also gave me suggestions of where I would get the HPV vaccine for free however, I ended up not having to get that as I got a letter from a doctor stating I was allergic. Then their fee was $160 for the TB test and the two visits.

If you are able to add your spouse to your health plan after marriage (which I am) can you use health insurance benefits at the civil surgeon or do you have to pay out of pocket?

How can I get insurance to pay for something that happened BEFORE signing up for insurance?

[CitizenUS 0]

Oh by the way I forgot to mention that my husband had his entire immunization record with him at the exam time. It was complete and up to date.

Yet the cost to process the I-693 was $1000.00 US !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a racket !!!!!!!!!!!

[lechatnoir 0]

Not sure what you mean but I was asking in general if the civil surgeon accepts insurance. Technically you do not go to the civil surgeon until after your married and in my case my company's insurance will be effective for my spouse the day of our marriage.

[naksah 1]

Not sure what you mean but I was asking in general if the civil surgeon accepts insurance. Technically you do not go to the civil surgeon until after your married and in my case my company's insurance will be effective for my spouse the day of our marriage.

They do not accept any insurance for the immigration exam but you can do 2 things to reduce the cost. First talk to the civil surgeon and find out which shots u need [they vary from age to gender] then,

1- go to your public health department and get all the shots u need.......they are so much cheaper over there....and take your shot card with u to the civil surgeon.

2- use your family doctor who accepts your health insurance to get the shots, and some of the blood work done. Then take this documentation to the civil surgeon

Also make sure you call as many surgeons as you can to compare pricing....even if it means driving to a different town or city. [the one in my town costs $250 and the one in next town costs $150]

[lechatnoir 0]

Gotchya thanks!

[CitizenUS 0]

Not sure what you mean but I was asking in general if the civil surgeon accepts insurance. Technically you do not go to the civil surgeon until after your married and in my case my company's insurance will be effective for my spouse the day of our marriage.

They do not accept any insurance for the immigration exam but you can do 2 things to reduce the cost. First talk to the civil surgeon and find out which shots u need [they vary from age to gender] then,

1- go to your public health department and get all the shots u need.......they are so much cheaper over there....and take your shot card with u to the civil surgeon.

2- use your family doctor who accepts your health insurance to get the shots, and some of the blood work done. Then take this documentation to the civil surgeon

Also make sure you call as many surgeons as you can to compare pricing....even if it means driving to a different town or city. [the one in my town costs $250 and the one in next town costs $150]

I don't know what you mean when you talk about shots. My husband did not get any shots. His immunizations are up to date and he has proof. He did get a TB test and he did have to go back for a check of that test so it's not necessarily a good idea to drive a distance to see a "cheaper" doctor.

He also had to go back and give another vial of blood because the lab didn't have enough to do all the tests the doctor ordered.....can you imagine that ?!!

Anyway, I'm just ranting. This process is bad enough with all the forms, fees and items you need to submit. Then you get your bill from the lab and your blood pressure rises again.

Thanks for listening. Do you think USCIS is listening ?