I-693 medical: This is how I did!

[Tako_Octopus 0]

I would like to share my experience at civil surgeon (I-693) on 7/8/09.

First, I called civil surgeon to find out what kind of shots/blood tests I need to have. I was told that I should go to local health department to complete all required shots/blood tests and bring all records to the appointment at the civil surgeon. By doing this, they charge me only $79.

So, I went to local health department to complete the following shots/tests:

Tetna ($10)

Polio ($10)

TB ($10)

MMR ($10)

HIV (Free)

Syphilis ($13)

A few days later, I went back to health department to let them check my TB result.

It was “10mm Positive” -- I explained them I had BCG shot when I was a child in Japan.

They sent me to different hospital to have “Chest X-ray”

It cost me $385, but my insurance covered the full amount and the result was negative.

At health department, I was told that I still need to take pills for “positive TB” although my chest X-ray result is negative. So, I went to different health department, where accurate TB blood test, QuantiFERON, is available. (The cost was $106; my insurance did not cover this) Note that this blood test is NOT required. The only reason why I did is because I do not want to take any pills for TB. The blood test result was negative.

I put together all my shots/blood tests/TB test (chest X-ray & QuantiFERON result) and went to civil surgeon. I was very nervous, but all he did was to sign I-693 form and returned back to me “Sealed envelope.” Other than signing on the form, he checked my heart beat and asked me if I am sick or taking any medications.

That is all.

I heard that some civil surgeon charge lots of money. The best and cheapest way to complete I-693 is to call civil surgeon first to find out the requirements and then go to local health department as I did.

My total cost for I-693 is less than $150.

Good luck!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Good post with lots of good advice. Thanks

[christera22 8]

U did the best way ... we did the same. Thanks for posting.

[Deryck and Miho 0]

Thank you for the info!! Something I would not have thought of at all. Reading through the forums I notice that many folks from Japan have done the same thing. I don't recall seeing this when reading through them before, but this should be appended to the guides if it is not in there already.

Regards,

Deryck

[furiousng 2]

I would like to share my experience at civil surgeon (I-693) on 7/8/09.

First, I called civil surgeon to find out what kind of shots/blood tests I need to have. I was told that I should go to local health department to complete all required shots/blood tests and bring all records to the appointment at the civil surgeon. By doing this, they charge me only $79.

So, I went to local health department to complete the following shots/tests:

Tetna ($10)

Polio ($10)

TB ($10)

MMR ($10)

HIV (Free)

Syphilis ($13)

A few days later, I went back to health department to let them check my TB result.

It was “10mm Positive” -- I explained them I had BCG shot when I was a child in Japan.

They sent me to different hospital to have “Chest X-ray”

It cost me $385, but my insurance covered the full amount and the result was negative.

At health department, I was told that I still need to take pills for “positive TB” although my chest X-ray result is negative. So, I went to different health department, where accurate TB blood test, QuantiFERON, is available. (The cost was $106; my insurance did not cover this) Note that this blood test is NOT required. The only reason why I did is because I do not want to take any pills for TB. The blood test result was negative.

I put together all my shots/blood tests/TB test (chest X-ray & QuantiFERON result) and went to civil surgeon. I was very nervous, but all he did was to sign I-693 form and returned back to me “Sealed envelope.” Other than signing on the form, he checked my heart beat and asked me if I am sick or taking any medications.

That is all.

I heard that some civil surgeon charge lots of money. The best and cheapest way to complete I-693 is to call civil surgeon first to find out the requirements and then go to local health department as I did.

My total cost for I-693 is less than $150.

Good luck!

Thanks for that informative post!

[Tako_Octopus 0]

All-

Thanks for replies

Deryck and miho-

Portland Oregon!

That is my second home town! I was there as a student several years ago..

Nana