Medical exam: about medical history and gynecological check

[Angela & Paul 12]

has anyone been through the medical and had depression in the past? how did it affect your medical? and did you have to give them a letter from your doctor stating it was treated and no longer a problem?

Actually, this is a good example of what to say and what not to say.

I would venture - and this is my personal opinion - that if you have been treated, then I would not say anything.

There's another underlying major issue with saying too much. The doctor will take notes. All these notes will be recorded.

And when you're in the US and are looking for an Individual Health Insurance - and I don't wish anyone here to go through this! - assuming they can't get hold of your files in your country, the health insurance company will ask for the files from the medical visit of the immigration interview. My insurance broker already told me!

What you say at the medical visit may affect your future ability to get insurance, or to get it for cheap... sorry, for less than an outrageous price. There is no such thing as cheap health insurance in the US. Welcome to capitalism

Of course, it has to be something that no doctor in the US would not be able to find unless you tell them. If you broke your arm, better tell. If you had surgery, better tell. But I would skip kidney stones (no pun intended!) and treated depression, maybe even miscarriages for women.

It might be a good thing to ask your doctor in your home country if anything from your medical history can be traced back.

Better start fresh and clean when it comes to anything health-related in the US

[Cassie 8]

I know of a number of VJ'ers that have reported having had past problems with depression or other issues, reported them to the civil surgeon, along with providing evidence of treatment and such, and had no difficulties.

I have an extensive medical history and told all of it to the doctor conducting my medical. Not once have I come up against problems with insurance companies deeming them "pre-existing conditions". Perhaps I have been fortunate in that regard. However, I hesitate to advocate withholding information at any part of this process, because, as we do know, it usually comes around to bite you in the butt in the end.

[Hannah+Vito 0]

I know of a number of VJ'ers that have reported having had past problems with depression or other issues, reported them to the civil surgeon, along with providing evidence of treatment and such, and had no difficulties.

I have an extensive medical history and told all of it to the doctor conducting my medical. Not once have I come up against problems with insurance companies deeming them "pre-existing conditions". Perhaps I have been fortunate in that regard. However, I hesitate to advocate withholding information at any part of this process, because, as we do know, it usually comes around to bite you in the butt in the end.

ok thanks for that, so if i go the honest route and actually tell them i was once treated, in the last couple of years, should i get a letter from my doctor or something else? i'm not sure what would be expected as evidence? i do hope this doesn't affect future health insurance, as i will be going on my Future hubbys'

[Angela & Paul 12]

ok thanks for that, so if i go the honest route and actually tell them i was once treated, in the last couple of years, should i get a letter from my doctor or something else? i'm not sure what would be expected as evidence? i do hope this doesn't affect future health insurance, as i will be going on my Future hubbys'

Pre-existing conditions affect mostly "Individual health insurance". If your spouse has a group insurance with a company for ex., then it's usually not an issue to be approved adn/or covered, unless it is something that happened within the past 6 months (or if you're pregnant).

When it comes to health insurance, when in doubt, ask! Your 'hubby' should call his insurance carrier now and ask what coverage you will get, at what price, and what will NOT be covered and why (what are the pre-existing conditions limitations). Be aware that deductibles might be doubled, because they're usually PER "covered person". Meaning that if he has a $1,000 deductible, once you're married, it will be $2,000. If only one of you gets sick, reimbursements will start once the $2,000 is paid. It's another trick insurance companies use to spend less. I can go on and on...

After I moved to the US, I still remember the first time my company sent me the "Health Benefits book". I looked at the 50+ page binder and ask myself "what the heck is this...?". Coming from France, where you can go anywhere anytime and you don't pay anything, that was a big shock! Even the notion of choosing your plan was news to me... HMO, PPO? Deductible?? Co-payment??? All words unknown to me and I am sure many of you arriving to the USA

[Cassie 8]

I know of a number of VJ'ers that have reported having had past problems with depression or other issues, reported them to the civil surgeon, along with providing evidence of treatment and such, and had no difficulties.

I have an extensive medical history and told all of it to the doctor conducting my medical. Not once have I come up against problems with insurance companies deeming them "pre-existing conditions". Perhaps I have been fortunate in that regard. However, I hesitate to advocate withholding information at any part of this process, because, as we do know, it usually comes around to bite you in the butt in the end.

ok thanks for that, so if i go the honest route and actually tell them i was once treated, in the last couple of years, should i get a letter from my doctor or something else? i'm not sure what would be expected as evidence? i do hope this doesn't affect future health insurance, as i will be going on my Future hubbys'

Yes. See if your doctor (preferably the one that treated you in that particular area) can write a letter for you saying that yes, you were treated and yes, now you are fine. Do a search on VJ and what the experiences were for others and what they took to the medical.