Local Civil Surgeon refuses to provide I693A

[StormnRolly 0]

Okay here is the link to the CS that Tracy was able to fax or mail her information into and they doctor processed the supplemental form for 10$.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...st&p=615925

Kristina

[married2006 0]

Using the convenient physician locator, I was able to find a single local provider here in my community. Unfortunately, when I contacted his office, I was advised that "the doctor only provides full physicals" and they refused to provide an I-693A. I couldn't believe the response and asked for an explanation. I was told that the doctor places his signature on the form and will only do so when he has personally completed the entire physical (for the full fee, of course!). Well, Plan B now requires us to make an 90-mile round trip to the next nearest doctor...

Dr.L.E. Arnold

4534 Wesrgate Blvd.Suite 106

Austin Texas 78745

Tel. (512 ) 444- 3131

Fax (512 ) 447- 4699 Send copy of DS-3025 + $10. List name,date of birth and country ----24 hour turn-around. hope this helps

[cshell 0]

I'm on Long Island in NY - I called to a civil surgeon's office yesterday - so the lady first said that a full medical exam needed to be done. I said no only a transfer of the vaccinations that a medical was done prior to his coming to the US. I faxed her the DS form which was dated 8/31/06. She called me back saying that they would transfer the info for $85 and suggested doing a full medical as the one done in Guyana would expire in one year and that they would do it for $185 rather then the ususual $200. I said that we are marrying in a few days and will have health insurance and if the medical needed to be done I would use the insurance. She said you can't use insurance for a medical - is this TRUE??? Is the medical good through 8/31/07 provided that the paperwork is sent out prior to that date? I will be sending out AOS, EAD and AP in 2-3 weeks - two months before the the one year mark for the medical.

[KarenCee 3]

I'm on Long Island in NY - I called to a civil surgeon's office yesterday - so the lady first said that a full medical exam needed to be done. I said no only a transfer of the vaccinations that a medical was done prior to his coming to the US. I faxed her the DS form which was dated 8/31/06. She called me back saying that they would transfer the info for $85 and suggested doing a full medical as the one done in Guyana would expire in one year and that they would do it for $185 rather then the ususual $200. I said that we are marrying in a few days and will have health insurance and if the medical needed to be done I would use the insurance. She said you can't use insurance for a medical - is this TRUE??? Is the medical good through 8/31/07 provided that the paperwork is sent out prior to that date? I will be sending out AOS, EAD and AP in 2-3 weeks - two months before the the one year mark for the medical.

Some have said insurance won't cover this kind of medical. The medical done for the interview is supposed to be good for one year, per the USCIS website. It is, however, up to the individual CS as to whether they follow this or not.

[Cécy 44]

We're about to get married and I'm going to need a full medical as I came here under a B2 visa.

Should we call his insurance to ask if they cover this type of medical? Does it has a specific name?

Also we live in Western North Carolina. Anyone knows what civil surgeon make resonable prices in the area? The closest one for us is Asheville, but if it's cheaper to go to Charlotte or somewhere like that, we'll do it.

Also, I have my medical records with me. They're in French, but I've had some of the vaccines I know they ask for done before (tetanos, MMS, etc) . Can they accept that? Is it enough if I translate it myself? Do I need it done professionally?

[one2zee 1]

I just used Dr. Arnold last week to do my I-163 A. Great people there. Very friendly and on the ball. I included an extra $7.00 and they returned my documents to me by Priority Mail. I would suggest giving them a call before you send your stuff. They close on Fridays at noon.

Chuck D

[nane1104 146]

Take the trip, it is definitley worth it.

I had the same problem, just that the nearest CS who would do it was 180 miles away in Dallas...360 miles roundtrip, but I only paid $30 and it was done in like an hour.

Those guys know exactly, that you NEED that paper, so they think they can ask for whatever they want, spacially if they are the only one in your area. Sucks!

[GabachaYucateca 0]

I had this same problem when I was shopping around.

1st place (the local low-income health clinic, mind you) told me that they'd only do the full physical and would charge me $615!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2nd place: would do the supplement, but for $80.

3rd place: would do the supplement for $25........after I professed my love for the receptionist and shouted with joy, and then asked her why they charged so little, she answered, "well, all the doctor is doing is transferring the info to the I693A."

[mrsushi66 0]

These kind of stories bother me. I mean if these Dr's are going to be civil surgeons then it is up to them to keep up to date with the knowledge that goes along with that title. I would be willing to bet that the process of being a Civil Surgeon affords these doctors some sort of advantage and that is all they care about. They really dont want to be bothered with all the responsabilities to go along with that title.

Now I know there seem to be a lot of Civil Surgeons that are on the level but seems like there are more bad than good.

I agree with the poster that said we should report every one of the Civil Surgeons that pushes us into doing something we know we dont need, like a full physical when some have had those as part of the visa process. I would call the board of medicine in your area and tell them your story and ask them if the complaint should be filed with them or some other organization. In my opinion telling you they will only do a full physical when it clearly states you dont need one consitutes fraud on the doctors part but that is my opinion.

[KarenCee 3]

These kind of stories bother me. I mean if these Dr's are going to be civil surgeons then it is up to them to keep up to date with the knowledge that goes along with that title. I would be willing to bet that the process of being a Civil Surgeon affords these doctors some sort of advantage and that is all they care about. They really dont want to be bothered with all the responsabilities to go along with that title.

Now I know there seem to be a lot of Civil Surgeons that are on the level but seems like there are more bad than good.

I agree with the poster that said we should report every one of the Civil Surgeons that pushes us into doing something we know we dont need, like a full physical when some have had those as part of the visa process. I would call the board of medicine in your area and tell them your story and ask them if the complaint should be filed with them or some other organization. In my opinion telling you they will only do a full physical when it clearly states you dont need one consitutes fraud on the doctors part but that is my opinion.

Not saying I agree with what some CS do in regards to medicals, but if it's their own practice they can pretty much do what they want...as I was informed by one in Atlanta. I do believe that if they are going to be a designated CS then they *should* have to follow the USCIS guidelines about medicals.

[mrsushi66 0]

Not saying I agree with what some CS do in regards to medicals, but if it's their own practice they can pretty much do what they want...as I was informed by one in Atlanta. I do believe that if they are going to be a designated CS then they *should* have to follow the USCIS guidelines about medicals.

Actually, no they can't do as they wish, private practice or not. Ask the board of medicine in your area. They are held to a code of ethics and forcing someone to pay for a full examination when it is not required is an ethical violation and if more people would file complaints about what is happening this might stop. The reason they are doing this is because this is all out of pocket expense for us and there is no insurance involved. If there were an insurance company involved and you called your insurance company and said this doctor is trying to get me to take a full exam when all I need is some records transcribed I would be willing to bet you the doctors would be doing exactly what needed to be done because the insurance company would file a complaint or other such recourse to ensure that doctor is not over charging or requiring unessacary procedures.

Edited June 11, 2007 by mrsushi66

[Yodrak 7]

Boiler,

Not necessarily. My wife didn't, the DS-3025 was accepted as suffient evidence of having received the required vaccinations.

Yodrak

just keep looking.... they want to take advantage of us,because they know we do anything to have papers ready.... in my case i didn't send the supplementary form i send the form that they gave my husband at the american embassy, we haven't receive a letter yet saying they need the suplementary forms... i wil way and see what happens....

You will either get a RFE or need to have it for AOS interview.

.....

[Magnolia31 0]

Using the convenient physician locator, I was able to find a single local provider here in my community. Unfortunately, when I contacted his office, I was advised that "the doctor only provides full physicals" and they refused to provide an I-693A. I couldn't believe the response and asked for an explanation. I was told that the doctor places his signature on the form and will only do so when he has personally completed the entire physical (for the full fee, of course!). Well, Plan B now requires us to make an 90-mile round trip to the next nearest doctor...

Dr.L.E. Arnold

4534 Wesrgate Blvd.Suite 106

Austin Texas 78745

Tel. (512 ) 444- 3131

Fax (512 ) 447- 4699 Send copy of DS-3025 + $10. List name,date of birth and country ----24 hour turn-around. hope this helps

Hi!

I just wanted to add that I also did my I-693A with DR. Arnold in Austin Tx. I'm in the Chicago area and all the DRs here wanted to do a full exam and wanted to charge $300. My exam was pretty current sinc I just took it a few months ago. Anyhow, I sent my DS-3025 form and my vaccination record to Dr. Arnold. I received everything back in a sealed envelope along with a copy of hwat was in the envelope, within a week. I really recommend this if you guys are having problems with CSs.

[Magnolia31 0]

I'm on Long Island in NY - I called to a civil surgeon's office yesterday - so the lady first said that a full medical exam needed to be done. I said no only a transfer of the vaccinations that a medical was done prior to his coming to the US. I faxed her the DS form which was dated 8/31/06. She called me back saying that they would transfer the info for $85 and suggested doing a full medical as the one done in Guyana would expire in one year and that they would do it for $185 rather then the ususual $200. I said that we are marrying in a few days and will have health insurance and if the medical needed to be done I would use the insurance. She said you can't use insurance for a medical - is this TRUE??? Is the medical good through 8/31/07 provided that the paperwork is sent out prior to that date? I will be sending out AOS, EAD and AP in 2-3 weeks - two months before the the one year mark for the medical.

Insurance companies usually will not cover it. A medical exam is good for one year.

Not saying I agree with what some CS do in regards to medicals, but if it's their own practice they can pretty much do what they want...as I was informed by one in Atlanta. I do believe that if they are going to be a designated CS then they *should* have to follow the USCIS guidelines about medicals.

Actually, no they can't do as they wish, private practice or not. Ask the board of medicine in your area. They are held to a code of ethics and forcing someone to pay for a full examination when it is not required is an ethical violation and if more people would file complaints about what is happening this might stop. The reason they are doing this is because this is all out of pocket expense for us and there is no insurance involved. If there were an insurance company involved and you called your insurance company and said this doctor is trying to get me to take a full exam when all I need is some records transcribed I would be willing to bet you the doctors would be doing exactly what needed to be done because the insurance company would file a complaint or other such recourse to ensure that doctor is not over charging or requiring unessacary procedures.

Where would one complain to though? I feel complaints should be made too. It is unethical and unfair for them not to adhere to the guidelines set by USCIS.

[foxyvegan 0]

Hello all. I am going today to my doctor's appointment to get the I-693A filled up. Unfortunately, the doctor that filled in all my papers back in Greece, never gave me a copy, so I really hope the fax with the list of vaccines he sent me is going to work.

When I called the local doctor, his receptionist told me that I would have to pay $250 for a whole medical examination, but after I explained to her that I just need the vaccines, she seems to understand. We'll see later I guess.

A question:

is this the form I need to print out and give to the doctor?

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/pdf/ti-03/appdx-a_693vacc.pdf

and is there a form online that I could print out

to convince the doctor that I don't need the full med exam?

Edited July 16, 2007 by foxyvegan