Looking for USCIS civil surgeon form I-693

[Alsinet 0]

Hello,

We are now looking for a USCIS civil surgeon to complete my medical form I-693 before sending it all. We gathered the money, all we need to do is now to fill this form out, check everything is ok and send them in. The only glitch is my husband has a few questions about the medical examination. We just got insurance (we both benefit from it), from his job and he wonders if it works the same way with a Dr. designated by USCIS. He works overtime so impossible to get the appointment before mid-June, was wondering if anyone would like to give their testimony and give any advices... I would like to be prepared for this day to come. I had all my vaccinations records/vaccination papers until a jealous person destroyed it all. Today I have absolutely nothing left. My vaccins notebook gone, I don't have any trace left, so I am just going to go to the Dr. empty handed, I feel so discomforted but there is nothing I can do. Already asked my mom in France to help me but all she could give me was a few copies of some of my paperwork (copy of HS diploma for example, original got destroyed too), but nothing from my medical record Could anyone tell me how much extra is it going to cost us? Am I going to be forced to have all the vaccins done again or is there another way? And also, should I call tomorrow to try to get an appointment fixed in mid-June instead of waiting? Please give me any advice you'd find useful so this day can go on smoothly. There are So many things on I-693

[Brit Abroad 166]

You could go to a local medical centre and ask if you can have a vaccination blood titer done. They may refer you to a hospital or local university if they do not offer the service themselves. This tests for antibodies in the blood and a positive result means that you have either had the disease or that you have previously received the vaccine. No idea how much it would cost, but do you really want to get a load of shots to satisfy the vacc requirement when they are unnecessary and costly?

Or, if you had a medical done in France prior to moving to the US, you could ask USCIS for a duplicate copy of the 3222 form that they would've completed at the time.

Edited June 6, 2013 by Brit Abroad

[Alsinet 0]

Ok thanks, that's very helpful. Should the USCIS civil surgeon perform it the blood test so I don't have to go see multiple Drs? And I have not completed any 3222 form.

[Aredhel 0]

Hey

I believe you should talk to Dr first. Ordering tests yourself might be costly and not nessaccary.

Don't worry to much, I think you might be able to do your medical again. I had my vaccination record, but on my i-693 I have only 4 notes transfered from that record, measles-mumps and rubella and Tdap. Everything else was "not age appropriate" and no rfe about it. I paid 150$ last year.

So the worst case scenario - you will have to get that two vaccines again. i said two coz apparently it is only two shots, both vaccines 3-in-1.

If that's what DR wants, check your County Health Clinic/department, you might be able to get it for cheap.

Edited June 6, 2013 by Aredhel

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I am guessing you didn't arrive on a K-1 visa. Am I right?

If you want a full medical, this is how it works.

You find a Civil Surgeon - there is a locator tool on the uscis.gov website.

Call around for a quote - try to get one at around $200 or less. It is not covered by insurance, unfortunately.

The appointment is in two parts - first they give you an exam and a test for Tuberculosis and go over your medical history. At the second appointment, a few days later, they check the results of your bloodwork and TB test and sign off on everything.

My husband did not have his records either but the CS used knowledge of his country to determine what vaccines he had had. They can also do a blood test to see what antibodies you have (though that costs more). The doctor recommended that instead of getting the one shot he needed at the Civil Surgeon, that he go to the country health clinic and get it for free, and bring the results back on the second day.

It's really not something to be afraid of. You shouldn't even be looking at the I-693 really, you should go to a doctor and have them figure it out - it's their job. Most of those are not age-appropriate or are different versions of the same thing. You won't ned to get a million shots. Call them up and start the conversation, much better than worrying about it.

[Alsinet 0]

Thanks guys, this is very helpful. Will keep this post updated

[Alsinet 0]

I am guessing you didn't arrive on a K-1 visa. Am I right?

That's right.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

That's right.

Okay, I'll ask that this thread be moved over to the correct forum; there you'll get more advice about the medical from people who did it. It's really nothing to be worried about.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Topic has been moved from AOS from a Family based visa (entry) to AOS from a Work, Student & Tourist Visa (entry) as the OP did not enter the US on a family based visa (K-1, etc.)

[h13rma 35]

This was the one that delayed our application as well we thought we had ticked all the boxes. Never realized the medical was required, so had no vaccination records or anything. My Civil Surgeon however told me exactly what injections I needed, asked if I had insurance, which I do even if its slightly weird, and then said I should get my own Dr or Walgreens/CVS to do the vaccinations and claim it back Check arrived today.

[exogenesis 2]

Hello,

We are now looking for a USCIS civil surgeon to complete my medical form I-693 before sending it all. We gathered the money, all we need to do is now to fill this form out, check everything is ok and send them in. The only glitch is my husband has a few questions about the medical examination. We just got insurance (we both benefit from it), from his job and he wonders if it works the same way with a Dr. designated by USCIS. He works overtime so impossible to get the appointment before mid-June, was wondering if anyone would like to give their testimony and give any advices... I would like to be prepared for this day to come. I had all my vaccinations records/vaccination papers until a jealous person destroyed it all. Today I have absolutely nothing left. My vaccins notebook gone, I don't have any trace left, so I am just going to go to the Dr. empty handed, I feel so discomforted but there is nothing I can do. Already asked my mom in France to help me but all she could give me was a few copies of some of my paperwork (copy of HS diploma for example, original got destroyed too), but nothing from my medical record Could anyone tell me how much extra is it going to cost us? Am I going to be forced to have all the vaccins done again or is there another way? And also, should I call tomorrow to try to get an appointment fixed in mid-June instead of waiting? Please give me any advice you'd find useful so this day can go on smoothly. There are So many things on I-693

My wife wasn't able to locate any of her vaccination records, so we came to the civil surgeon empty handed. Depending on the age bracket you fall into, the types of vaccinations required vary. Since my wife is in her mid-20s, she was required to have 3 shots: an adult MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, tetanus shot, and varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. A blood test and TB test is also required.

Since she had chicken pox as a child, she just had to specify the age she had it at that was good enough for the doctor. No shot required.

Despite receiving a tetanus shot 5 years ago and the adult MMR vaccine before going to university, she had to get both of those done during her visit, but the cost was less than $60 for both. She could have received a blood test to test for antibodies for MMR, but the blood test cost more than the vaccine, and the doctor said it was harmless to receive it again.

Basically, call around and find out how much each civil surgeon in your area charges, and then go with the doctor's advice when you see him/her. Our doctor had to go through immigration with his wife, so he was very helpful and understanding of how difficult the process can be and tried to make the I-693 the easiest part of the process, and it was for us.

[Alsinet 0]

My wife wasn't able to locate any of her vaccination records, so we came to the civil surgeon empty handed. Depending on the age bracket you fall into, the types of vaccinations required vary. Since my wife is in her mid-20s, she was required to have 3 shots: an adult MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, tetanus shot, and varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. A blood test and TB test is also required.

Since she had chicken pox as a child, she just had to specify the age she had it at that was good enough for the doctor. No shot required.

Despite receiving a tetanus shot 5 years ago and the adult MMR vaccine before going to university, she had to get both of those done during her visit, but the cost was less than $60 for both. She could have received a blood test to test for antibodies for MMR, but the blood test cost more than the vaccine, and the doctor said it was harmless to receive it again.

Basically, call around and find out how much each civil surgeon in your area charges, and then go with the doctor's advice when you see him/her. Our doctor had to go through immigration with his wife, so he was very helpful and understanding of how difficult the process can be and tried to make the I-693 the easiest part of the process, and it was for us.

Thank you, this helps me I am glad for you two!! I am 24, I also had chicken pox as a child and pretty sure I had all this vaccines done too.

How much is the antibodies blood test? What do you mean by the vaccines "harmless" to receive it again?

I will call on Monday, this is when the nearest USCIS surgeon office opens, they are closed for the weekend. I can't wait!

[exogenesis 2]

Thank you, this helps me I am glad for you two!! I am 24, I also had chicken pox as a child and pretty sure I had all this vaccines done too.

How much is the antibodies blood test? What do you mean by the vaccines "harmless" to receive it again?

I will call on Monday, this is when the nearest USCIS surgeon office opens, they are closed for the weekend. I can't wait!

Let the doctor know you had chicken pox as a child and give your best guess as to what age you were when you had it. After searching the forums here, it seems *most* civil surgeons accept your statement without paperwork.

I can't remember exact numbers, but I believe the MMR vaccine was $25 or so, but the blood test for MMR antibodies was $60. This will vary by doctor, however. We decided to save money because if there weren't enough antibodies in her system then we would also have to get the vaccine after the test, and the test cost more money anyways.

My wife and I were concerned that getting another MMR vaccine would be harmful since she already received two as a young child and a third one about 10 years ago. The doctor said the vaccine is a live virus, and her body would handle it just fine. He said she must NOT be pregnant to receive the vaccine and also must NOT get pregnant for 6 months after receiving the vaccine, so that is important to know. We don't plan on having children for several years, so we did not have to worry about this.

In the US, it is recommended to receive a tetanus shot at least every 10 years. This shot was $35. Again, this will vary by clinic.

Every civil surgeon also charges for filling out the I-693 for you, and this is where I see the biggest price variation. Some charge as low as $100, others charge $200 or more.

We had the doctor's clerk print out a detailed receipt with claim codes and filed a claim with our insurance company. Hopefully we will get reimbursed for at least some of the cost, but there is no guarantee. I recommend doing this - you never know, maybe your insurance company will reimburse the cost!

Good luck finding a decent price and a good civil surgeon!

[Snag 57]

So, the CS will work out which vaccines the immigrant has had and hasn't had, right? Or is that a separate appointment to be organised with a general doctor before the medical exam?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The CS does it. A CS is a general doctor, but they have extra training/certification in issues of public health. The medical is to protect the people of the US from foreign disease.