Medical

[Jill Mackie 76]

Hi all, can someone explain to me what happens during the medical exam or how it works please? Thanks in advance

[Chancy 6,233]

51 minutes ago, Jill Mackie said:

can someone explain to me what happens during the medical exam or how it works please?

 

The CDC website has details about the required medical exam.  Start with the FAQs here -- https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/about/medical-exam-faqs.html

 

Specifics about the exam conducted by civil surgeons for those adjusting status in the US -- https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/civil-surgeons/medical-history-and-physical-exam.html#soe

 

[Jill Mackie 76]

6 minutes ago, Chancy said:

 

The CDC website has details about the required medical exam.  Start with the FAQs here -- https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/about/medical-exam-faqs.html

 

Specifics about the exam conducted by civil surgeons for those adjusting status in the US -- https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/civil-surgeons/medical-history-and-physical-exam.html#soe

 

Thank you , would a chest x-ray be required? Or that only necassary if the surgeon suspects a lung illness?

[Crazy Cat 39,227]

6 minutes ago, Jill Mackie said:

Thank you , would a chest x-ray be required? Or that only necassary if the surgeon suspects a lung illness?

Required.  That is the preliminary diagnostic tool for TB.

[Jill Mackie 76]

5 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Required.  That is the preliminary diagnostic tool for TB.

Do they do the chest x-ray or do I need to get that done separately ? 

[Crazy Cat 39,227]

2 minutes ago, Jill Mackie said:

Do they do the chest x-ray or do I need to get that done separately ? 

It is normally part of the exam. I can't find the reference which states it is absolutely required, but it part of every exam I can remember seeing here on VJ.  Hopefully, someone will correct me.  

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

This may be located in the wrong forum. Are you looking into what happens at a medical abroad or in the US?
Also, if abroad, if you list your country you may get more accurate responses.

 

[Jill Mackie 76]

2 minutes ago, Luckycuds said:

This may be located in the wrong forum. Are you looking into what happens at a medical abroad or in the US?
Also, if abroad, if you list your country you may get more accurate responses.

 

In the US and I am here already 

[HRQX 4,145]

47 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I can't find the reference which states it is absolutely required, but it part of every exam I can remember seeing here on VJ.  Hopefully, someone will correct me.  

The exams are done differently by Civil Surgeons than the exams done abroad by Panel Physicians. Civil Surgeons tend to rely on the blood test (Interferon-Gamma Release Assay) first. https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/civil-surgeons/tuberculosis.html The Civil Surgeon I went to said the lab he uses takes a couple days for the blood test results and offered doing the chest x-ray as a faster (i.e. same day complete exam) alternative. So I did the chest x-ray instead of the blood test.

[Jill Mackie 76]

11 minutes ago, HRQX said:

The exams are done differently by Civil Surgeons than the exams done abroad by Panel Physicians. Civil Surgeons tend to rely on the blood test (Interferon-Gamma Release Assay) first. https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/civil-surgeons/tuberculosis.html The Civil Surgeon I went to said the lab he uses takes a couple days for the blood test results and offered doing the chest x-ray as a faster (i.e. same day complete exam) alternative. So I did the chest x-ray instead of the blood test.

Can you possibly give me a run of how the exam ? What do they do exactly. I am really nervous about medical exams, I have been that way since I was a child .

[carmel34 3,531]

12 hours ago, Jill Mackie said:

Can you possibly give me a run of how the exam ? What do they do exactly. I am really nervous about medical exams, I have been that way since I was a child .

It's a standard physical medical exam, nothing out of the ordinary.  They listen to your heart, lungs, look in your mouth, ears, review your documents, immunizations, ask a few questions sometimes if you have anything in your medical history they may want clarified.  You'll have a blood test or chest X-ray, to check for TB, sometimes a urine sample, nothing to be afraid of.  Good luck!

[Adventine 3,187]

I went through the I-693 last month.

 

There were two parts. Your experience may vary depending on your civil surgeon and:

 

 

A) if they can do the tests/vaccines on site 

OR

B) if they refer you to a different clinic for the procedures, and then you go to the civil surgeon with all your lab results and immunization records.

 

In my case, it was Scenario B.

 

B.1. Lab tests and vaccines BEFORE the appointment with the civil surgeon.

 

I did blood tests for the illnesses listed on the medical form: TB and some STDs. One blood draw was enough to do all the tests.

 

I also had to complete three more vaccines because I was missing my childhood vaccine records. I also had all three done on the same day, with no side effects.

 

B.2. Appointment with the civil surgeon

 

I brought my lab tests and vaccine records to the civil surgeon, he asked me some basic questions from the form, he listed to my heart and lungs, checked my teeth and skin, and his assistant entered all the relevant information and had me sign the form.

 

 

All in all it was an easy and straightforward procedure.

[Jill Mackie 76]

18 minutes ago, Adventine said:

I went through the I-693 last month.

 

There were two parts. Your experience may vary depending on your civil surgeon and:

 

 

A) if they can do the tests/vaccines on site 

OR

B) if they refer you to a different clinic for the procedures, and then you go to the civil surgeon with all your lab results and immunization records.

 

In my case, it was Scenario B.

 

B.1. Lab tests and vaccines BEFORE the appointment with the civil surgeon.

 

I did blood tests for the illnesses listed on the medical form: TB and some STDs. One blood draw was enough to do all the tests.

 

I also had to complete three more vaccines because I was missing my childhood vaccine records. I also had all three done on the same day, with no side effects.

 

B.2. Appointment with the civil surgeon

 

I brought my lab tests and vaccine records to the civil surgeon, he asked me some basic questions from the form, he listed to my heart and lungs, checked my teeth and skin, and his assistant entered all the relevant information and had me sign the form.

 

 

All in all it was an easy and straightforward procedure.

Thank you , what was the cost if you don't mind me asking ?

53 minutes ago, carmel34 said:

It's a standard physical medical exam, nothing out of the ordinary.  They listen to your heart, lungs, look in your mouth, ears, review your documents, immunizations, ask a few questions sometimes if you have anything in your medical history they may want clarified.  You'll have a blood test or chest X-ray, to check for TB, sometimes a urine sample, nothing to be afraid of.  Good luck!

Thank you kindly

[Adventine 3,187]

Costs will vary depending on which civil surgeon you go to, how many vaccines you need to take, if you need any follow up medical treatment, and most importantly, what your health insurance covers.

 

I posted a detailed review of my experience with prices here. Hope it helps!

 

 

Edited August 16, 2021 by Adventine

[Cristina280390 60]

In my case they only did the general physical, asked me routine questions and ''if I had been in any trouble'', then took blood out, and a urine sample. I had all my vaccines so they didnt require any adittionals. I paid 350 for the test and 45 for two titers. (Located in Knoxville, TN) Got my results in 5 days with a copy for myself.

 

My question is, how ong are those valid for? I got the deficiency notice for my medical, and I am waiting on my interview to be scheduled. At the doctor they told me to send it soon because they were only valid 2 months, but the deficiency letter said to not send anything and just take them with me to the interview. I am worries those 400$ will go to waste if my appointment takes long to be scheduled.