moving your medical history to the US

[Moon&Stars 172]

I'm wondering how people have moved their medical history/records to their new (future) doctors in the US. We have the necessary medical records for immigration & have an approved visa. But I'm thinking about the type of records that would be helpful when you receive treatment for a medical condition. How have you moved these records when they are not in English? Do you just start again in the US? Have you translated them yourself? Did you pay a service to translate them? We have a lot of papers, so it seems like a paid service might be more than starting over with a new doctor. I'm curious how others have handled this part of the transition. Thanks!

[millefleur 5,035]

**Moved from General Immigration-Related Discussion to Moving to the US and Your New Life In America; topics about doctors and medical related issues in the US are usually discussed there**

[kris&me 572]

shot record is important

the immigrant will need to fill out family history with any dr he/she goes to , so getting a record from parents could be a good idea

like any heart issues

any diabetes 

any TB

etc

ages and birth dates of parents

knowing these things help

 

 

[Ben & Katy 168]

39 minutes ago, Moon&Stars said:

I'm wondering how people have moved their medical history/records to their new (future) doctors in the US. We have the necessary medical records for immigration & have an approved visa. But I'm thinking about the type of records that would be helpful when you receive treatment for a medical condition. How have you moved these records when they are not in English? Do you just start again in the US? Have you translated them yourself? Did you pay a service to translate them? We have a lot of papers, so it seems like a paid service might be more than starting over with a new doctor. I'm curious how others have handled this part of the transition. Thanks!

My wife got her visa on a medical expedite.  She is from Mexico and all she did was bring the documents with her by hand to the USA.  The doctors here accepted her documents and continued treatment as normal. 

[Moon&Stars 172]

32 minutes ago, Ben & Katy said:

My wife got her visa on a medical expedite.  She is from Mexico and all she did was bring the documents with her by hand to the USA.  The doctors here accepted her documents and continued treatment as normal. 

That's great! So even though her documents were in Spanish there wasn't an issue? That's my biggest concern, that they won't look at them because they can't read them. Thank you!

1 hour ago, kris&me said:

shot record is important

the immigrant will need to fill out family history with any dr he/she goes to , so getting a record from parents could be a good idea

like any heart issues

any diabetes 

any TB

etc

ages and birth dates of parents

knowing these things help

 

 

Yes, we have all of this. I'm talking about other types of medical records from regular/on-going treatment for diagnosed medical conditions. 

[Ben & Katy 168]

2 minutes ago, Moon&Stars said:

That's great! So even though her documents were in Spanish there wasn't an issue? That's my biggest concern, that they won't look at them because they can't read them. Thank you!

Yes, we have all of this. I'm talking about other types of medical records from regular/on-going treatment for diagnosed medical conditions. 

It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  This was Banner Medical Center BTW.  They they scanned everything into their electronic system.  Also I took my expedite request letter which stated everything in detail so it made things easier to translate.  

[Moon&Stars 172]

8 minutes ago, Ben & Katy said:

It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  This was Banner Medical Center BTW.  They they scanned everything into their electronic system.  Also I took my expedite request letter which stated everything in detail so it made things easier to translate.  

That's great. I'm so glad it worked out this way for you guys. I'm wondering if this was also easier because it was Spanish & Spanish isn't uncommon so they had staff people that could read them. I have no idea how it all works, just wondering if it will be that easy for us.

[Ben & Katy 168]

2 hours ago, Moon&Stars said:

That's great. I'm so glad it worked out this way for you guys. I'm wondering if this was also easier because it was Spanish & Spanish isn't uncommon so they had staff people that could read them. I have no idea how it all works, just wondering if it will be that easy for us.

Do you know how to speak portuguese?  If so you could try to translate it to the doctors into English the best you can. 

[Ontarkie 13,915]

Other then the shots records for the kids and I. I brought nothing with me (K1 medical info was just for USCIS not the doctors) 

All of our medical history was just me telling the doctors. It doesn't really matter because most doctors want to rerun their own medical tests regardless and that is even form US doctor to US doctor. 

Now if you have any major health history/mental illness taking those files would help the new doctor on what tests they want to run first. 

But as far as surgeries and asthma they didn't need anything other then the dates of the surgery and any complications. For us getting medical records would have been in the thousands if they could have even been found. Doctors just up and retire closed up shop and ship your files to god knows where.

[TBoneTX 43,058]

It might be valuable to bring CDs of imaging tests (CT, MRI, etc.).

Bring multiple copies of your immunization records.

Good to have an updated list of prescription medications that you're taking.

[p-ana 933]

18 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

It might be valuable to bring CDs of imaging tests (CT, MRI, etc.).

Bring multiple copies of your immunization records.

Good to have an updated list of prescription medications that you're taking.

Second this.

 

I have cancer history in my family and had a related health scare before moving and only had scanned images and not the actual images of my tests. It caused a delay for my checkup here and also had me taking additional tests that cost extra out of pocket.

 

so if you have any health conditions, things that needed follow up, etc, bring the docs/ papers with you. If needed, you can translate and help out your new doctors understand.

[Roy&Chanel 109]

I brought my medical records (in english) and similar to poster above, my family has a history of illnesses, however, sadly for me, they made me do all the checks all over again. That cost me quite alot of money.😥

[TBoneTX 43,058]

1 hour ago, Roy&Chanel said:

they made me do all the checks all over again.

This was probably because of numerous U.S. medical regulations and the fear of lawsuits for potential medical malpractice.

[Ontarkie 13,915]

12 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

This was probably because of numerous U.S. medical regulations and the fear of lawsuits for potential medical malpractice.

Exactly. I was doing allergy shots with one doctor here in the US and had multiple reactions to the shots. The Allergy board wanted me to stop altogether while the doctor wanted me to continue with a more specialized doctor. That doctor even though all my tests and allergy vials are brand new at the time 4 months old. She wanted all new test and vials. I turned down that consult and trusted the allergy boards decision. So even in the same city they wanted to retest and start new. 

[Steeleballz 7,550]

14 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

This was probably because of numerous U.S. medical regulations and the fear of lawsuits for potential medical malpractice.

 

   It varies considerably. Some doctors are fine with historical results and realize there is no reason to repeat the testing, while others will want to do every test again.  My old doctor just retired last summer, but every year when I went for my physical, I would bring my lab results that I got done free at a health fair. He would take a look and then add them to my chart. My new doctor at the same practice would not go for it. I brought in a cholesterol profile I had done the week before and he wanted to redo it "officially". I think to a certain extent, they probably just go by their own comfort level.