I-693 question

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

Hi Everybody:

So, I am preparing for the big packet for AOS (to greencard from F1 status via marriage to USC) and I saw I need I-693 that is, medical clearance, and testing done by a civil surgeon. Now, I have a question regarding this. I went into the appropriate hospital in my region to make an appointment for the civil surgeon and pay the $300 they asked for. Then I've got a paper back that lists testing for GC (gonorrhea), Chlamydia, RPR/VDRL (syphilis), PPD or Quantiferon (TB test) and they said these are required before the INS Physical exam documentation. Now, I understand that they need these testing (although I don't know if there can be any exceptions for the sexually transmitted diseases above if one had no sexual intercourse ever) but if the USCIS says that TB and syphilis testing needs to be done by the civil surgeon and not by your physician then why did they send me to my physician to have these testings done and come back with the results, so that the civil surgeon can fill out the I-693 form? Isn't that odd, that I'm paying $300 for him to basically just fill out the form while it is actually my physician that does all the exams? Also, the form only asks for syphilis and TB and yet they sent me off for all the other disease testings??? What is going on? And what should I do? I don't feel like paying extra for all the other labs, as well as go through all those testings if it is not necessary as they are not fun at all. Any advice, or comments on this?

Thank you!

[Newbie608 103]

Hi Everybody:

So, I am preparing for the big packet for AOS (to greencard from F1 status via marriage to USC) and I saw I need I-693 that is, medical clearance, and testing done by a civil surgeon. Now, I have a question regarding this. I went into the appropriate hospital in my region to make an appointment for the civil surgeon and pay the $300 they asked for. Then I've got a paper back that lists testing for GC (gonorrhea), Chlamydia, RPR/VDRL (syphilis), PPD or Quantiferon (TB test) and they said these are required before the INS Physical exam documentation. Now, I understand that they need these testing (although I don't know if there can be any exceptions for the sexually transmitted diseases above if one had no sexual intercourse ever) but if the USCIS says that TB and syphilis testing needs to be done by the civil surgeon and not by your physician then why did they send me to my physician to have these testings done and come back with the results, so that the civil surgeon can fill out the I-693 form? Isn't that odd, that I'm paying $300 for him to basically just fill out the form while it is actually my physician that does all the exams? Also, the form only asks for syphilis and TB and yet they sent me off for all the other disease testings??? What is going on? And what should I do? I don't feel like paying extra for all the other labs, as well as go through all those testings if it is not necessary as they are not fun at all. Any advice, or comments on this?

Thank you!

What area are you in? I would suggest you go on the uscis website and get a list of surgeons in your area. Call them all and compare prices....that sounds like a rip off. If your physician is doing all the test, they shouldn't be charging that much to fill out the form....the civil surgeon should do the tb and syphilis test....physicians can do vaccines shots, X-rays/quantiferon..etc..my physicians only did my shots, everything else was done by the civil surgeon and It was 160 bucks

Goodluck

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

What area are you in? I would suggest you go on the uscis website and get a list of surgeons in your area. Call them all and compare prices....that sounds like a rip off. If your physician is doing all the test, they shouldn't be charging that much to fill out the form....the civil surgeon should do the tb and syphilis test....physicians can do vaccines shots, X-rays/quantiferon..etc..my physicians only did my shots, everything else was done by the civil surgeon and It was 160 bucks

Goodluck

Hey Newbie,

Thanks for your reply. I actually pulled him off of from USCIS. I am from Davis, and he is also Davis. The next closest one would be Vallejo, Benicia and those are another 80-90 miles away, and I cannot commute there (I don't have a car of any sort). I am very shocked, and surprised how this goes....it all seems like they are cheating over USCIS and my physician does everything, and I pay them, and then I pay another extra $300 for the civil surgeon just to scan through the results and checkmark them on the form....I don't know what to do.

[Newbie608 103]

Hey Newbie,

Thanks for your reply. I actually pulled him off of from USCIS. I am from Davis, and he is also Davis. The next closest one would be Vallejo, Benicia and those are another 80-90 miles away, and I cannot commute there (I don't have a car of any sort). I am very shocked, and surprised how this goes....it all seems like they are cheating over USCIS and my physician does everything, and I pay them, and then I pay another extra $300 for the civil surgeon just to scan through the results and checkmark them on the form....I don't know what to do.

I'm sorry to hear that but just do what you have to do...if you can afford it then go ahead because it seems like you don't have a choice at this point

Good luck!!!

[DandT14 272]

Can you get to Sacramento?

Barbara Ringwald in Sac charged us about $200. It would be a little more or less depending on if you need vaccinations. Her office does the tests, no need to go anywhere else.

Edited July 9, 2012 by DandT14