TB Skin Test

[HOPE11 0]

Hello VJ users: I came here thru K1 Visa. Had my papers done at HK. I am now trying my best to file my AOS.

I am about to see the CS next week . My medical is still valid with these results: (vdrl -non reactive)/ (HIV-negative)/(Chest X ray- Normal). ..But how come the CS insisted that i need to have tb skin test...i thought that the chest x ray result was done to detect tb...I would like to ask anyone's advice regarding this case..Sould I go ahead and take the tb skin test?

[Zen Den 18]

Hello VJ users: I came here thru K1 Visa. Had my papers done at HK. I am now trying my best to file my AOS.

I am about to see the CS next week . My medical is still valid with these results: (vdrl -non reactive)/ (HIV-negative)/(Chest X ray- Normal). ..But how come the CS insisted that i need to have tb skin test...i thought that the chest x ray result was done to detect tb...I would like to ask anyone's advice regarding this case..Sould I go ahead and take the tb skin test?

check your ds3025 if there are any notation from st. lukes suggesting this.

if there is none, ask the cs why he is suggesting to you to do it and tell him too that your medical exam is still w/in the 1 yr limit and that per uscis it's still accepatable for your AOS.

if he still insists, try looking for a different Cs, hehe

good luck and god bless!

[sjr09 155]

Hello VJ users: I came here thru K1 Visa. Had my papers done at HK. I am now trying my best to file my AOS.

I am about to see the CS next week . My medical is still valid with these results: (vdrl -non reactive)/ (HIV-negative)/(Chest X ray- Normal). ..But how come the CS insisted that i need to have tb skin test...i thought that the chest x ray result was done to detect tb...I would like to ask anyone's advice regarding this case..Sould I go ahead and take the tb skin test?

The chest x-ray will only show active TB and not Latent TB.

[sjr09 155]

The chest x-ray will only show active TB and not Latent TB.

EDIT:

EDIT: The x-ray will only show the ‘possibility’ of active TB, further testing will need to be done for a more clear and definite answer.

[Tina&Roland 4]

Short story is: Go to another CS. As I had said in another thread, some civil surgeons have no idea what you need. The one that I initially went does only full medicals and wanted me to get the TB test and the full medical for $130. I argued with him for about half an hour before I took all my paperwork to another CS who knew what I was talking about and charged me $50 for transcription. Of course, he also suggested that I get a third Td, Tdap shot (because he has had experience with INS/USCIS coming back to him stating that the applicant did not have that). So if you have only had one or two Tdp's, then perhaps getting one more would be needed. I think it's $25 per vaccine.

Hope this helps.

Tina

[darkchilde794 5]

I would go as far as to say it is illegal for CS's to demand that you take a TB test (which will likely require a full medical), when your medical has been approved for K1 immigration. The US Embassy in the Philippines would not have granted you your K1 visa if you had TB or showed symptoms/results of any of the illnesses they check for.

I have spoken to a CS who told me that USCIS gives them specific instructions to accept medicals that were performed by US certified CS's, and not insist on a new medical or any further testing from a K1 visa holder, unless of course if said medical has been completed for more than a year. Such instructions are also on paper: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00045f3d6a1RCRD -- second to last or last page of the instructions document.

Before making any commitments with your CS doctor, tell him that you do not need a new medical or TB test, and just need a vaccination transcription. If he insists on a new medical or test, show him the instructions form... and if he still does it, find a new doctor. Im not sure if there is a place to report CS who take advantage of you... there should be one, really.

The AOS forum has also started to compile a list of CS who will transcribe vaccinations at a reasonable price. Its still a short list but it might help:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=231026

Goodluck!

[Allie 5]

From my timeline:

Civil Surgeon wouldn't sign I693A vaccination supplement unless I had a TB skin test. July 27 supplement signed finally cost $25.

When I went to the CS to have my I-693A signed she refused unless I had a TB test. I showed her the X-ray taken for the CS in Canada and explained it showed no TB.

She didn't care about that X-ray and flat out told me no test, no signature. So I went to a physician here and explained I needed a TB test.

She asked why and when I told her the story she said" more than likely getting this test is going to show positive because you were vaccinated when younger".

I got the test and sure enough it showed positive which then called for another X-ray even though the one I had a few months before showed nothing. They took the X-ray and it came out the same as what I had in Canada.

She then gave me a report of the X-ray to give the CS stating no signs of TB.

After $215, a needless TB test and a needless X-ray she signed off on the I-693. She did try telling me I may need another medical for AOS but I had printed the regulation from USCIS regarding K-1 medicals for visa and showed her it. Then she signed my I-693A

The CS holds the ace card if they say you need the TB test before they sign there's not much we can do about it other than go get it, I went to 3 different CS and it was the same for em all.

I strongly believe these doctors know they have us over a barrel and take full advantage of it to make some extra money

[darkchilde794 5]

From my timeline:

Civil Surgeon wouldn't sign I693A vaccination supplement unless I had a TB skin test. July 27 supplement signed finally cost $25.

When I went to the CS to have my I-693A signed she refused unless I had a TB test. I showed her the X-ray taken for the CS in Canada and explained it showed no TB.

She didn't care about that X-ray and flat out told me no test, no signature. So I went to a physician here and explained I needed a TB test.

She asked why and when I told her the story she said" more than likely getting this test is going to show positive because you were vaccinated when younger".

I got the test and sure enough it showed positive which then called for another X-ray even though the one I had a few months before showed nothing. They took the X-ray and it came out the same as what I had in Canada.

She then gave me a report of the X-ray to give the CS stating no signs of TB.

After $215, a needless TB test and a needless X-ray she signed off on the I-693. She did try telling me I may need another medical for AOS but I had printed the regulation from USCIS regarding K-1 medicals for visa and showed her it. Then she signed my I-693A

The CS holds the ace card if they say you need the TB test before they sign there's not much we can do about it other than go get it, I went to 3 different CS and it was the same for em all.

I strongly believe these doctors know they have us over a barrel and take full advantage of it to make some extra money

Allie, that is sooo terrible. The other test that they give you for TB (skin test or something) often shows false positive results, thats why they do the x-ray to begin with. And you really shouldnt have more than 1 x-ray a year! I am so sorry to hear that that CS took advantage of you.

[Tina&Roland 4]

Actually what happened to me was that I asked the receptionist whether I was to go through the full medical. She was really and said no. Later after having argued with the doc for 30 minutes, I found out that she thought that I had asked her whether I'd have the full medical with pelvic exams. I'm not sure how many people have been screwed up by this doctor!

[F & J 21]

Hello VJ users: I came here thru K1 Visa. Had my papers done at HK. I am now trying my best to file my AOS.

I am about to see the CS next week . My medical is still valid with these results: (vdrl -non reactive)/ (HIV-negative)/(Chest X ray- Normal). ..But how come the CS insisted that i need to have tb skin test...i thought that the chest x ray result was done to detect tb...I would like to ask anyone's advice regarding this case..Sould I go ahead and take the tb skin test?

I had a normal chest x-ray from St. Luke's too but the CS we went to insisted that we get the Tuberculin Skin Test done - it was only $13 anyway so we had it done. The reason behind this is that the guidelines say that it's required - you can't skip it (according to CDC guidelines). The chest x-ray is done depending on the results of the TB skin test (negative = no x-ray required).

I really wish they'd update the St. Luke's procedures. Do the skin test first and then the x-ray if the skin test comes up positive.

I believe some people have gotten approvals without the skin test though. Not sure if they're really strict on following that now. The overseas medical shows you're clear anyway. We had it done just to be safe.

Edited January 29, 2010 by Fatima and Jim

[Allie 5]

I had a normal chest x-ray from St. Luke's too but the CS we went to insisted that we get the Tuberculin Skin Test done - it was only $13 anyway so we had it done. The reason behind this is that the guidelines say that it's required - you can't skip it (according to CDC guidelines). The chest x-ray is done depending on the results of the TB skin test (negative = no x-ray required).

I really wish they'd update the St. Luke's procedures. Do the skin test first and then the x-ray if the skin test comes up positive.

I believe some people have gotten approvals without the skin test though. Not sure if they're really strict on following that now. The overseas medical shows you're clear anyway. We had it done just to be safe.

If a person was vaccinated for TB then more than likely the skin test now is going to show false positive. The immune system is going to react to the skin test because of the vaccination from yrs ago and show a positive for TB result.

Chest X-rays were already taken when I went to the CS in Canada for my K-1 immigration medical. Even though those X-rays proved negative TB, I pretty much was forced by the CS signing off on the I-693 A into getting the skin test and another needless X-ray to show the exact same result from the X-ray done in Canada.

The whole immigration process is just a huge money grab from beginning to end and it seems they all want a piece of the action

[Krikit 1,164]

Moving from the Canada forum to the AOS forum.

[Nik+Heather 121]

I noticed a couple of things here:

I-693A is NOT a valid form. Use the I-693 and fill out the appropriate sections!

We (apparently) are OK without the skin test, but as someone else said, if it's just $13, maybe it's not worth making waves about it.

[Allie 5]

I noticed a couple of things here:

I-693A is NOT a valid form. Use the I-693 and fill out the appropriate sections!

We (apparently) are OK without the skin test, but as someone else said, if it's just $13, maybe it's not worth making waves about it.

The I-693 is filled out by the CS doing your original medical. The I-693A is a supplement form to I-693. It's filled out by the CS here in the US when one files for AOS.

The form I-693A for AOS can be found here:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/pdf/ti-03/appdx-a_693vacc.pdf

Also it's more than just $13. For a TB skin test and X-rays I didn't need the cost break down was

TB skin test $25. Physician visit and consultation $75, X-rays chest, side and back $115.

[menina 50]

The I-693 is filled out by the CS doing your original medical. The I-693A is a supplement form to I-693. It's filled out by the CS here in the US when one files for AOS.

The form I-693A for AOS can be found here:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/pdf/ti-03/appdx-a_693vacc.pdf

Also it's more than just $13. For a TB skin test and X-rays I didn't need the cost break down was

TB skin test $25. Physician visit and consultation $75, X-rays chest, side and back $115.

We did the skin test at the local health dept for 15 dollars. No one (CS) told us we had to do it, but we did bec others had received RFEs in previous months for not doing it. They thought it was weird since we had a clear xray, but we just wanted to be safe.