Medical Exam Scam

[MonTex 0]

I had my medical appointment for my I-693 this morning, and it was not a good experience, so I am posting this so other people are aware and don't fall for the same.

Since I thought this would be a standard procedure determined by Immigrations, I wrongly assumed that any civil surgeon would be the same. Therefore, I chose the one closest to my place and scheduled an appointment without asking any questions. I had read that I was exempt from having a full physical given that I am a K1 visa holder and I had one about 2 months ago. I was going there for him to check my vaccines and sign my form.

When I got there, he said he would need to take a blood and urine sample. I told him it wasn't necessary because I had my physical not long ago and even showed him the signed form by the doctor who performed the exam back in my country. He argued that this other doctor exam didn't count because Immigrations only considers the one taken by an authorized civil surgeon in the US. I trusted that he knew what he was saying so I let him take the samples. He also said I was missing a meningitis vaccine, which I thought was weird since the doctor back home said I was fully vaccinated, but he said it was a new requirement.

Bottom line is, I paid 300 dollars for a physical I later confirmed I didn't need, and a vaccine that I doubt I needed. I don't know if he just cheated me for the money or if he really thought he was in the right. So beware, just because they are authorized civil surgeons it doesn't mean they know what they're doing (or that they are honest). Looking back, I wish I had called several doctors and asked questions and compared, so that's my thoughts to you.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

This is a major, ongoing problem for those that need missing vaccinations and have to see a civil surgeon, They can insist on whatever they like and charge however much they want, That is why this thread came about > http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/231026-civil-surgeons-who-dont-rip-you-off/

It sounds like you were not missing any required vaccinations, so if you had a properly filled out DS-3025 vaccination sheet from your K-1 medical, you could have just sent in a copy of it and skipped the civil surgeon.

Edited June 14, 2013 by Jay-Kay

[Darnell 8,478]

it'd be great if you could post the city and the name of the civil surgeon here on VJ.

Thanks so much !