US Medical Query

[AnnaM_ 0]

Hey everyone! 

I’m to do my US medical soon and I’m just wondering if the doctor, or the facility, would call beforehand if something was wrong or do they just send it to the embassy and you wait until then. 

Does anyone have any insight?

 

[Mr_B 3]

From https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/interview-prepare/medical-examination-faqs.html :

 

"The panel physician is not required to examine you for any conditions except those the U.S. Public Health Service specifies for U.S. immigration purposes, nor is the physician required to provide you with diagnosis or treatment even though other matters related to your health might be discovered. This examination is not a substitute for a full physical examination, consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by your primary health care provider."

 

In my case the envelope was sealed at/by the test lab i.e. not at the medical center, with the X-rays taken at the medical center inside as well. So the physician who took the blood and urine samples probably did not even look at the results. The envelope is likely just to be picked up at the reception of the medical center in any case, if it's not mailed directly to the embassy. I'm not sure what "other matters" could have been discovered anyway, as not even blood pressure or lymph nodes were checked, ... 

Even if the physician does look at the results, I think (unless maybe if you know the doc personally and even then) the chances of him/her giving you a heads up regarding e.g. a positive drug test are zero. Doing so would enable a beneficiary to throw the envelope in the trash and test again in another approved facility a few months later.

These tests are a lucrative business and the physician is not likely to do anything that would violate the embassy's trust. 

[geowrian 22,337]

Generally, they tell you if there's something requiring additional testing or treatment. They aren't going to hide a medical condition they discover from you.

But if they see certain signs, they may request additional testing, a psychological evaluation, etc.

If there's something like a failed drug test, gang-related tattoos, etc., that are of concern to the physician/CS, this could be included in the report.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

As geowrian says. Remember these guys are doctors first, doctors for the US embassies second. If there is a serious health issue you are unaware of, they are ethically bound to tell you. I don’t know what their response would be to something like a positive drug test though, as I guess they’ll assume you’ll know if you’ve been taking drugs!