Medical Exam

[wwax 0]

A little background on our story. I am an Australian citizen married to a USC and am currently living in the USA legally, we are in the process of filing an I-485 and and I-130 (plus all the other forms that go with them). I am in the process of trying to organise my medical exam so I can send that in with all the other paperwork. I tried reading the guide, which I have found very useful for other forms, but they seem to mostly offer advice for people having their medical in their home country.

I am finding myself confused about so many parts of the whole thing, not only am I trying to get to grips with the immigration paperwork minefield, I am trying to sort out a medical system that is a lot different to the one I am used to. Not to mention the joys of health insurance.

I was hoping if I write down what I think I have to get done that I might get some idea of how on track I am and what I may or may not be missing.

The only civil surgeon in my area works at a free clinic. I went in to speak to them, to try and find out what I had to do and I felt very guilty about it as I am lucky enough to have what I am told is very good health insurance through my husband and there were so many people there waiting that obviously needed the clinics services more than me. I found the poor nurses and receptionist swamped and as nice as they were they didn't really have the time to help me. I understand that the civil surgeon has to do the physical examination so I will have to go there for that, but they gave me a huge long list of tests and vaccines I am supposed to have as well and this is where the confusion starts.

My family moved around a lot as child, and while I know I had all the usual childhood vaccinations and I clearly remember having chicken pox I have no idea how I would go about finding any proof of any of that. Do I need to prove that I had them? Should I just get all the shots again?

I have a local family doctor that my husband and I use, and while they are not civil surgeons I spoke to one of the nurses there and they can arrange for any of the shots I need as well as the TB, HIV & Syphillis tests. Is it OK to go to them for the tests and vaccinations instead of the civil surgeons and then just take the paperwork with me when I go for the physical? If I do that what paperwork will I need to get to prove the tests and vaccinations were given? What sort of wait would there be done to getting the results?

As far as I can work out for the medical for my age of 40 years I need the following

- A physical exam

-TB skin test (xray etc only needed if positive result)

- If clear for TB a TB vaccination?

- HIV Test

- Syphillis test (VDRL, RPR, STS/Treponema)

- Diptheria/Tentnus (Td & Tdap) Vaccination

- Measles, Mumps & rubella Vaccination

- Chicken Pox Vaccination

Have I missed anything?

I am sorry for all the questions but I am not a big fan of going to the doctors (who is?) and would like to keep the number of trips and shots and blood tests down to the bare minimum and still make sure the medical form is completed correctly.

Many thanks in advance for any help or comments.