Bloodwork and TB by "regular doctor" re: Medical Exam

[Maxximus1074 14]

I've created a list of physicians in my neighborhood from those mentioned on the USICS web page to shop around for those entitled for the necessary medical exam required for an AOS.

One office gave me the advice to get vaccinations, TB test, even blood work to be done by my regular, general doctor's office as I may have insurance coverage then and get it done cheaper. The USCIS webpage also states that other doctors not listed are not entitled for the exam - so now I wonder - can I really get some things done somewhere else and as the one office told me, have an authorized MD confirm and then fill out the necessary form?

Or do I really need to have everything done in one office?

Thanks for any experiences shared

Maxximus

[ValerieA 350]

I don't know about the TB test and bloodwork, but definitely you can have your own doctor get your vaccinations up to date!

[Kittyfang 6]

The closest civil surgeon to me is about 1.5 hour away, so I'm trying to get everything done close to home. After speaking with them, I am having T.B., Blood work (HIV and Syphilis), Tetanus shot and MMR Titer done locally and I only need to bring in written proof of these test, but the doctor needs to do the physical exam and see some kind of immunization record. I don't have mine, so that's why I'm doing the titer and tetanus, the rest are not applicable because I don't fall in the age group that requires them.

[Maxximus1074 14]

The closest civil surgeon to me is about 1.5 hour away, so I'm trying to get everything done close to home. After speaking with them, I am having T.B., Blood work (HIV and Syphilis), Tetanus shot and MMR Titer done locally and I only need to bring in written proof of these test, but the doctor needs to do the physical exam and see some kind of immunization record. I don't have mine, so that's why I'm doing the titer and tetanus, the rest are not applicable because I don't fall in the age group that requires them.

Thanks for your thoughts guys

Good luck in your process - hope all goes smoothly and quick - oh and btw. you mentioned HIV re: your blood test, that is one of the incurable diseases like also HPV that is no longer reported since November last year/January this year - so if your doctor still does the test, he/she is not "allowed" to report the results on the form if he has an older, outdated form I-693

[Kittyfang 6]

Thanks for your thoughts guys

Good luck in your process - hope all goes smoothly and quick - oh and btw. you mentioned HIV re: your blood test, that is one of the incurable diseases like also HPV that is no longer reported since November last year/January this year - so if your doctor still does the test, he/she is not "allowed" to report the results on the form if he has an older, outdated form I-693

You know, I remember reading something along those lines and totally forgot about it. I'm going to give them a call and see if they still require it... That would save me at least $50!

[Kittyfang 6]

You know, I remember reading something along those lines and totally forgot about it. I'm going to give them a call and see if they still require it... That would save me at least $50!

I called and they confirmed that they don't require HIV testing anymore. The blood work is only for Syphilis.

[Maxximus1074 14]

Had a consultation with an immigration attorney at a local non-profit - and got it confirmed: Basically one can do the TB Test, blood work, vaccinations etc. at any given doctor, but the results have to be requested then by an "official" physician licensed with the UCSIS. Was told that this doctor does a pretty casual check at the appointment if you seem "ordinary", checks your vaccination record and then signs off the form for you.

Also: The exam is only good for ONE year - and the attorney recommended to have my appointment later on during the adjustment of status as if the exam results get reviewed again at an interview it may be close to or even may have expired and you would need a new one.

[squirrely 0]

My advice is get all your vaccines done before you go to the USCIS doctor because they WILL be tons more expensive there.

[ifarr 0]

did mines on Tuesday and i got tested for hiv & STDs, did the TB test and upgraded my tetanus.

got my results in 2days

cost $350 it was a flat rate. i had called other places in my area that said $375.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

did mines on Tuesday and i got tested for hiv & STDs, did the TB test and upgraded my tetanus.

got my results in 2days

cost $350 it was a flat rate. i had called other places in my area that said $375.

There's a civil surgeon in my area who will quote $250, but once you get into the office you can dicker him down to $150. This is for a complete medical, TB test, full blood work, and even an MMR vaccine. If he has to give the medical exam, draw some blood, administer a TB test (including viewing the results after a couple days), and give a vaccine or two, you're only talking about 15 to 20 minutes of his time. After deducting for his costs (labs, vaccines, disposables) a physician charging $350 is pocketing about $275 for 20 minutes worth of work. That is a LOT! An average GP charges less than half that much, and has a staff to pay.

Back to the original question, any qualified medical professional can do the actual exam and administer the tests and vaccines, as long as the civil surgeon is willing to put his John Hancock on the I-693. Since this is a business for many civil surgeons, they won't sign the form if they don't do the work (or at least get PAID to do the work). The civil surgeon I mentioned above wasn't much interested in the cash. He was just bored, and wanted an excuse to get out of the house every day. He spent most of his time in his little office day trading stocks. He was a rare find. Many of these civil surgeons are money hungry sharks who think they've found a sweet gig - lots of cash from each "patient", very little actual medical knowledge required, and almost zero chance of a malpractice suit.

[Maxximus1074 14]

Hiya,

thanks for your responses. From what I can tell so far by calling doctors that are listed on UCIS I can agree with you that they charge anywhere from $150 to $300 plus.

Maybe I bug you, Jim and Va, sometime again since it looks like we're both from Oakland

Maxximus

[alanakaja1980 1]

I went to a civil surgeon and it was $176 for the appt and testing, then got a bill a couple of weeks later for $41 as I got the MMR vaccine and blood test. It was cheaper than what I thought it would have been.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Hiya,

thanks for your responses. From what I can tell so far by calling doctors that are listed on UCIS I can agree with you that they charge anywhere from $150 to $300 plus.

Maybe I bug you, Jim and Va, sometime again since it looks like we're both from Oakland

Maxximus

Dr. Joseph Ippolito. You'll find him listed under Hayward and Oakland, since he has offices in both towns. He's a retired MD, and fairly easy going.