AOS Medical Exam/Civil Surgeons in Alabama

[Erica & L 50]

Hey everyone,

I took it upon myself to call around to all the local civil surgeons in my area (North Alabama) to get quotes etc and I got quoted anywhere from $300-$600 for everything to get done. A lot of them said $150 is usually the minimum but that only covers the physical, not the TB skin test/blood work etc. A lot of them told me that they either don't do the blood work etc on site, and that I'd have to go to another clinic to get all of that done separately OR that it is cheaper to go to another clinic to get that all done other than the physical. And then I'm assuming all the forms somehow are sent to the civil surgeon and all collected together? I was told by some people not to do that because forms can get lost and it is overall more of a hassle then getting it all done at one office...

Does anyone have any experience doing it separately or would anyone recommend just finding a reasonably priced place that can do it all together to make things more simple?

Does anyone have any recommendations for civil surgeons in Northern Alabama?

I found one that I think I might go with, and spoke directly to the doctor and she seemed to know what she was talking about, but I just wanted to check to see what everyone else has gone through/experienced when booking an appointment so I end up going with my cheapest/most legit option. I'm trying to save, and because money is so tight, it's essential we save the exact amount and I just don't want to end up getting screwed over or mis-quoted.

Thanks in advance!

[Ning 619]

Hey everyone,

I took it upon myself to call around to all the local civil surgeons in my area (North Alabama) to get quotes etc and I got quoted anywhere from $300-$600 for everything to get done. A lot of them said $150 is usually the minimum but that only covers the physical, not the TB skin test/blood work etc. A lot of them told me that they either don't do the blood work etc on site, and that I'd have to go to another clinic to get all of that done separately OR that it is cheaper to go to another clinic to get that all done other than the physical. And then I'm assuming all the forms somehow are sent to the civil surgeon and all collected together? I was told by some people not to do that because forms can get lost and it is overall more of a hassle then getting it all done at one office...

Does anyone have any experience doing it separately or would anyone recommend just finding a reasonably priced place that can do it all together to make things more simple?

Does anyone have any recommendations for civil surgeons in Northern Alabama?

I found one that I think I might go with, and spoke directly to the doctor and she seemed to know what she was talking about, but I just wanted to check to see what everyone else has gone through/experienced when booking an appointment so I end up going with my cheapest/most legit option. I'm trying to save, and because money is so tight, it's essential we save the exact amount and I just don't want to end up getting screwed over or mis-quoted.

Thanks in advance!

Try going to your local county health clinic to ask about this subject. Ours did the work and created a health card for us to use.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

Hey everyone,

I took it upon myself to call around to all the local civil surgeons in my area (North Alabama) to get quotes etc and I got quoted anywhere from $300-$600 for everything to get done. A lot of them said $150 is usually the minimum but that only covers the physical, not the TB skin test/blood work etc. A lot of them told me that they either don't do the blood work etc on site, and that I'd have to go to another clinic to get all of that done separately OR that it is cheaper to go to another clinic to get that all done other than the physical. And then I'm assuming all the forms somehow are sent to the civil surgeon and all collected together? I was told by some people not to do that because forms can get lost and it is overall more of a hassle then getting it all done at one office...

Does anyone have any experience doing it separately or would anyone recommend just finding a reasonably priced place that can do it all together to make things more simple?

Does anyone have any recommendations for civil surgeons in Northern Alabama?

I found one that I think I might go with, and spoke directly to the doctor and she seemed to know what she was talking about, but I just wanted to check to see what everyone else has gone through/experienced when booking an appointment so I end up going with my cheapest/most legit option. I'm trying to save, and because money is so tight, it's essential we save the exact amount and I just don't want to end up getting screwed over or mis-quoted.

Thanks in advance!

If this helps, a couple of years ago there was a thread here that many people contributed, that listed civil surgeons ni several states and $. The thread run about 20 pages as I recall; I don't recall if there was an Alabama surgeon listed, but I recall at least 12-15 states listed. We did end up using one listed in the thread, in Denver, as we were heading that way and it was extremely lower $ than in our area (TX), $10 for a vaccination cert and another 15 to apply a missed shot compared to 200-250 in the Houston area. Perhaps you can find the list and call around. You can do the exam in any state.

[Erica & L 50]

Try going to your local county health clinic to ask about this subject. Ours did the work and created a health card for us to use.

Yeah I'll have to call them on Monday and get some sort of idea of how they handle the process. I've just heard mixed reviews but I guess every clinic is different and there is going to be good/bad options.

If this helps, a couple of years ago there was a thread here that many people contributed, that listed civil surgeons ni several states and $. The thread run about 20 pages as I recall; I don't recall if there was an Alabama surgeon listed, but I recall at least 12-15 states listed. We did end up using one listed in the thread, in Denver, as we were heading that way and it was extremely lower $ than in our area (TX), $10 for a vaccination cert and another 15 to apply a missed shot compared to 200-250 in the Houston area. Perhaps you can find the list and call around. You can do the exam in any state.

The only problem with that is money. We literally just got back from Maryland where we had to go to get married and that trip alone cost $300 dollars, and on top of everything else, my wife's car is acting up so that's another expense unfortunately.

[mariepear 12]

What I did is that I went to our family doctor, got all the shots and physical done by him. It's covered under my husband's health insurance as preventative care and then I went to the civil surgeon to get the paperwork done. She wanted $90 for filling out the forms but she didn't insist on doing the medical herself like every other civil surgeon I called.

[Erica & L 50]

What I did is that I went to our family doctor, got all the shots and physical done by him. It's covered under my husband's health insurance as preventative care and then I went to the civil surgeon to get the paperwork done. She wanted $90 for filling out the forms but she didn't insist on doing the medical herself like every other civil surgeon I called.

My wife doesn't have insurance at the moment until Obama care or whatever kicks in. She had it prior, but she was under her dad's insurance but he couldn't afford it anymore and with how tight money has been lately she hasn't gotten any type of insurance yet because we can barely afford everything else.

I was going to look into low income clinics to see if they would do any part of it possibly, and if that would be sufficient to give to the civil surgeon to file the rest of the paperwork.

[agnesb 47]

Am I right in thinking you came to Us on a tourist visa? If you did not have medical done by a panel physicist abroad prior to entering US (which is done as part of the fiancé visa process) you will need a full medical exam done for AOS.

Here is the link mentioned http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/231026-civil-surgeons-who-dont-rip-you-off/

Edited September 28, 2013 by agnesb

[Erica & L 50]

Am I right in thinking you came to Us on a tourist visa? If you did not have medical done by a panel physicist abroad prior to entering US (which is done as part of the fiancé visa process) you will need a full medical exam done for AOS.

Here is the link mentioned http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/231026-civil-surgeons-who-dont-rip-you-off/

No, I came into the US from Canada just as a visitor for the 6 month period. We were under the impression we would have to snowbird back and forth but the federal law with the DOMA act changed so we decided to purse citizenship here. I haven't had any medical exam prior.

[agnesb 47]

No, I came into the US from Canada just as a visitor for the 6 month period. We were under the impression we would have to snowbird back and forth but the federal law with the DOMA act changed so we decided to purse citizenship here. I haven't had any medical exam prior.

OK, so you will need a full medical, including tb test and blood work etc.

[Erica & L 50]

OK, so you will need a full medical, including tb test and blood work etc.

Correct. The range of cost and the different options to do it at one clinic or do some tests/vaccines at one clinic and some at another is mainly my point of contention. I just want to make sure I pick the less sketchy, most affordable option.

[mariepear 12]

I had to call 3 places and ask them about the cost.... one was $90, another one $150 and the third one was $375... They all want your money, so you just have to call and try to find the cheapest one. Most of them wanted me to do the whole physical all over again even though I got it done before my K1 visa. One of the doctors was willing to do just the vaccination report for me for $90. You just have to search.

At my civil surgeon the Physical is $150, Tb test is $20 Syfilis test is $50. Tdap $70, MMR $85 and flu shot $25. I got the medical, the blood work and the shots for free at my family doctor but I had to pay for the Tb test.

Good luck with finding some place cheap! I know it sucks...

Edited September 29, 2013 by mariepear