Medical exam and vaccination record

[tabbyranch 0]

Hi everyone,

First time poster here, this forum has been super helpful to me!

I came to the US a few months ago to visit my boyfriend and decided to stay. We're currently married and getting all the paperwork ready to adjust my status. A little before my trip here I got a complete health check-up back home in Spain, now I need to fill I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) and I was wondering if it would be enough with taking this to a civil surgeon so he or she can do a transcription of the whole thing like they do with the vaccination record or I need to get bloodwork etc again (I'm terrified of needles and would rather save some money since the tests I got in my home country are totally valid, up to date and free).

Also, any recommendations for civil surgeons in the NJ/NY area?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Hypnos 6,576]

You will need to get a full I-693 exam. I'm not a fan of going to the doctor too so I know where you are coming from. In fact I put my AoS off for months because of it. Anyway, you can take your vaccination records with you and they will use that to determine what shots you need (if any), but you have to have blood drawn for the syphilis test.

You will also get a small injection on your forearm for the TB skin test.

It really isn't a big deal at the end of the day.

[tabbyranch 0]

Thanks hypnos! Yeah I've been postponing it too, I have no problem with filling a million forms and proving my marriage is bona fide, my main worry about this whole immigration process is the medical exam! I know I will pass it, I just don't like doctors at all. I guess I'll just have to be an adult about it and deal with it

Do any of you have an idea of the average costs of this? I don't wanna get ripped off.

[LindaC1990 23]

Thanks hypnos! Yeah I've been postponing it too, I have no problem with filling a million forms and proving my marriage is bona fide, my main worry about this whole immigration process is the medical exam! I know I will pass it, I just don't like doctors at all. I guess I'll just have to be an adult about it and deal with it

Do any of you have an idea of the average costs of this? I don't wanna get ripped off.

I paid $180 for the physical, plus $50 for the X-ray

and a little over $300 for the vaccines. I got 4 shots

[Hypnos 6,576]

I paid I think $160 for the exam, more for the X-ray if needed (I didn't need it since the TB skin test came back as negative; fortunately the TB vaccine I received in the UK at the age of 13 had wore off, otherwise it would have produced a positive result) and then the shots were something like $260 (2 x MMR and Diphtheria / Tetanus).

In my case I only had a two year window in which I could file an I-360 and put off the medical from last November to this April. It was silly perhaps, but I got it done in the end and my application was filed three months inside the two years.

Edited August 9, 2012 by Hypnos

[DandT14 272]

If the medical you already got shows your immunization records, then you might be able to avoid having any vaccinations. Just bring it with you to the appointment.

No avoiding the examination, blood test, and TB test as far I know. We paid about $225, which covered the exam and a tetanus booster.

[seth2013 39]

I paid only $90 for everything- make sure you call all of the civil surgeons in your area and compare prices. There is no need to overpay. You can also look into getting vaccines from your county health department if you are missing any before going to the civil surgeon. Often times the county health department will charge a lot less than your doctor/civil surgeon.

[VTmaple 1]

The civil surgeon I saw said it would be $100 for all the basic stuff (blood tests, etc), and in the event she had to update anything from my immunization record, there could be something additional. In the end, we paid $120 (I needed some things updated) and she made herself available outside clinic hours at crazy times to accommodate us. Some may be cheaper, but we were satisfied with this.

Sometimes the costs are determined by whatever the doc is charged by the lab for the bloodwork, but if you feel you have the time and energy, I'd call around if there are many in your area.

I'm not really bothered by needles, but the whole process was super straight-forward and easy to me.

ETA: Listing of civil surgeons is here: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=CIV

Edited August 10, 2012 by VTmaple

[ibee 7]

I DUG OUT all my vaccine records (childhood through college) to prevent repetition. Then I emailed those to the Civil Surgeon's secretary/nurse and asked her for a list of what has to be done. She gave me the list and I went to a local clinic and got the shots for CHEAP ($50). I also did the TB skin test in advance.

When I went for the medical exam I paid in full but gave them my health insurance card even though they did not seem to want it. I just received two refund checks for $250 total because my insurance, apparently, paid for the vaccines (50) and medical exam (200) great surprise. Hope it works for others too

Edited August 11, 2012 by ibee

[DandT14 272]

I DUG OUT all my vaccine records (childhood through college) to prevent repetition. Then I emailed those to the Civil Surgeon's secretary/nurse and asked her for a list of what has to be done. She gave me the list and I went to a local clinic and got the shots for CHEAP ($50). I also did the TB skin test in advance.

When I went for the medical exam I paid in full but gave them my health insurance card even though they did not seem to want it. I just received two refund checks for $250 total because my insurance, apparently, paid for the vaccines (50) and medical exam (200) great surprise. Hope it works for others too

Wow, I'm surprised that your insurance paid for the exam. Good to know.

[ibee 7]

DanT14, I was surprised too.. Civil Surgeon office kept telling me insurances don't cover that but I kept telling them just take the card (I can be A BIT stubborn). It doesn't hurt to try, you know, $200 is not exactly pocket change. ANYWAY thought I might share in case others wanted to give it a try but please don't hold it against me if it doesn't work for you

[deborabr 16]

Does anybody know if all these vaccines are necessary??

• Mumps
• Measles
• Rubella
• Polio
• Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids
• Pertussis
• Haemophilus influenzae type B
• Hepatitis B

[DandT14 272]

The list of required vaccines is here:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3384cc5222ff5210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=6abe6d26d17df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

[deborabr 16]

Thanks!!!! I have one more question to do the medical examination do I need to have the marriage certificate and all the other forms filled or I just need to bring my immunization card and the I-693 form??

[Hypnos 6,576]

They will ask to see nothing other than your ID (passport or US-issued ID) and a list of your previous vaccinations (if available) at the doctor's office.