NVC Filers - April 2012

[Saylin 1,605]

Why do they do the xray if the consulate doesn't look at it? If they're checking for TB, they could just do the scratch test, no? Seems like a way to get money out of us.

The purpose of the X-ray (besides checking for any normalities, like something in the lungs) is so you can give them over to your new doctor in the US. This way, if you get sick, your new doctor will have something to reference. That's what I heard a long time ago anyways.

[VaggoLena 7]

Grats on the smooth medical! Does the panel physician forward the results or does she need to pick up the medical results?

I am not sure if they forwarded anything, but my wife did have to go pick up the results a few hours after the actual exams. They gave her an envelope with the results and the x-ray and told her not to open it up and have it ready when it's time for POE here in NY.

What does the actual Medical Exam consist of? Is it pretty standard for any immigrant visa applicant? or does it vary based on the country where it is performed?

My wife has hers in Colombia on May 28th and she came up with that question last night and I was like ... oops! let me ask my friends on VJ to see if anyone knows .. LOL!

Not sure if it varies, but my wife had an x-ray done, a blood test, and a physical. One of the doctors asked about medical history and she did not need to take any vaccinations. The staff was rude, but the process went smoothly

[alizon 77]

The purpose of the X-ray (besides checking for any normalities, like something in the lungs) is so you can give them over to your new doctor in the US. This way, if you get sick, your new doctor will have something to reference. That's what I heard a long time ago anyways.

Yeah, that's what the consulate said to us as well, but, um, I've had many doctors over the course of my life and I've NEVER had a chest xray. It's not a normal thing to hand an old chest xray to your new doctor. And why only check the lungs for abnormalities? Why not the brain/stomach/reproductive organs/etc. I'm convinced that this is one of those "this is how it's always been done" things.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

Why do they do the xray if the consulate doesn't look at it? If they're checking for TB, they could just do the scratch test, no? Seems like a way to get money out of us.

The sub dermal PPD test takes a three days to give a result, with a lot of false positives. Someone can be a carrier of TB, but can be asymptomatic, and not contagious. The PPD skin test would show positive and cause all kinds of problems for the person.

A chest x-ray is a more definitive exam for Tuberculosis.

The sub dermal PPD test takes a three days to give a result, with a lot of false positives. Someone can be a carrier of TB, but can be asymptomatic, and not contagious. The PPD skin test would show positive and cause all kinds of problems for the person.

A chest x-ray is a more definitive exam for Tuberculosis.

And, x-ray gives an instant result, no waiting to read the skin test.

Nice.. I replied to myself instead of edit...

Edited April 18, 2012 by sheeshkabelle

[alizon 77]

The sub dermal PPD test takes a three days to give a result, with a lot of false positives. Someone can be a carrier of TB, but can be asymptomatic, and not contagious. The PPD skin test would show positive and cause all kinds of problems for the person.

A chest x-ray is a more definitive exam for Tuberculosis.

And, x-ray gives an instant result, no waiting to read the skin test.

Three things: 1. They already make you wait for the rest of your results, so I'm not sure that the cost of the xray outweighs the skin test wait time, 2. false positives could be checked with an xray, and 3. would an asymptomatic person show TB on a lung xray? If no, then they'd just be seen as one of the false positives and sent on their way. If yes, then they're going to have problems with the xray method that's already in place.

I don't know, I'm not even close to being in the medical field, but it just doesn't seem that cost effective. But we get to pay for it, so why would they care if it's cost effective?

[karalynn1971 26]

I called NVC today. They are still working on releasing the iv bills. I still cannot pay mine yet And.....I had to call the nvc to find out about sending my originals to them because the embassy in Amman told me to. (since my husband is syrian, and it is HIGHLY unlikely that any papers sent to him, will actually get to him). I hit a road block. The NVC said they send all of the paperwork electronically to Amman for the Syrian cases. NO originals get mailed from the NVC to the Amman embassy. Inside I'm screaming!!! (I cant scream physically cos I have strep, and my throat hurts) So now, I am back to square one! I emailed Amman embassy again, and I am waiting to hear back from them.

[Cathi 5,782]

I still have no IV Bill.. slowly going into panic attacks

Me too..It's stressing me out

[Saylin 1,605]

I am not sure if they forwarded anything, but my wife did have to go pick up the results a few hours after the actual exams. They gave her an envelope with the results and the x-ray and told her not to open it up and have it ready when it's time for POE here in NY.

[..]

Oh, lucky, being able to pick up the results just a few hours later! She'll have to bring what she received to the interview! They'll take it there They might return the X-ray (or not even ask for it). This won't be needed at POE.

Yeah, that's what the consulate said to us as well, but, um, I've had many doctors over the course of my life and I've NEVER had a chest xray. It's not a normal thing to hand an old chest xray to your new doctor. And why only check the lungs for abnormalities? Why not the brain/stomach/reproductive organs/etc. I'm convinced that this is one of those "this is how it's always been done" things.

Yeah, the only time I've had a chest X-ray with a doctor was when I got pneumonia. And I know it's not normal to hand an X-ray over to a new doctor, but that's what I heard on here a long time ago. I'm agreeing with you that this has always been done and will continue to be...

[Amanda & Juan 1]

So has there been anyone who has been able to pay their IV bills today?

[sheeshkabelle 153]

Three things: 1. They already make you wait for the rest of your results, so I'm not sure that the cost of the xray outweighs the skin test wait time, 2. false positives could be checked with an xray, and 3. would an asymptomatic person show TB on a lung xray? If no, then they'd just be seen as one of the false positives and sent on their way. If yes, then they're going to have problems with the xray method that's already in place.

I don't know, I'm not even close to being in the medical field, but it just doesn't seem that cost effective. But we get to pay for it, so why would they care if it's cost effective?

Actually the skin test is more expensive. It's an injection of tuberculin under the skin. Like other injections it can cost $50-$100 for just the injection. (Excluding the labor of giving said injection, coming back in 72 and having the test results read.)

A chest x-ray costs $20.00.

Then you have the cost of 50% of people are 'carriers' and will throw a false positive, and they will have to get the IGA blood serum test and a chest xray. The costs compound. The x-ray is fast, easy and cheap.

Edited April 18, 2012 by sheeshkabelle

[alizon 77]

Actually the skin test is more expensive. It's an injection of tuberculin under the skin. Like other injections it can cost $50-$100 for just the injection. (Excluding the labor of giving said injection, coming back in 72 and having the test results read.)

A chest x-ray costs $20.00.

Then you have the cost of 50% of people are 'carriers' and will throw a false positive, and they will have to get the IGA blood serum test and a chest xray. The costs compound. The x-ray is fast, easy and cheap.

Okay, now that makes sense. I've always thought xrays were in the $100s, but I've never had one except dental xrays.

[Saylin 1,605]

Okay, now that makes sense. I've always thought xrays were in the $100s, but I've never had one except dental xrays.

You didn't know from your husband's medical?

[sheeshkabelle 153]

Okay, now that makes sense. I've always thought xrays were in the $100s, but I've never had one except dental xrays.

What costs so much when a person gets an x-ray, isn't the x-ray itself, but the guy they pay mucho buckos to read said x-ray. A radiology tech with special training to look for TB is cheaper than sending it to the radiologist on hospital staff.

[alizon 77]

Saylin (sorry, can't quote posts on my phone), I just knew it was between $200 and $300 (I knew the exact amount back then, but I've forgotten. $270?), but I didn't know what part of that cost was for what part of the procedure.

[Saylin 1,605]

Saylin (sorry, can't quote posts on my phone), I just knew it was between $200 and $300 (I knew the exact amount back then, but I've forgotten. $270?), but I didn't know what part of that cost was for what part of the procedure.

That's what I figured after I asked. And wow, your husband's was more than mine was. At Medisys, it's a flat rate of $215, plus costs of shots if needed (my flu shot was like $20).