Medical exam for I-485 filing

[LanaMay 5]

Hi guys,
just went to have our medical exams done.
We did them once before 6 years ago for GC process trough my husbands employer.It is a long story about how employer's tax fraud can prevent you from filing I-485 in the end. Well, anyway all tests were negative(good) than, no x-ray was needed. This time doctor sent us to have x-rays done without even performing skin test for TB first.
I asked why.She said no one from Ukraine ever had negative(good) results for skin test and than you have to do x-ray anyway so why bother at all.I showed her our I-693 forms from six years ago that clearly stated both of us had negative(good) results.We did not travel abroad since.
She said:"You can be mad at me but I am still going to do what I think is right.INS will likely consider negative skin test insufficient.We are going ahead with x-rays." That is fine with me but is this situation seems a little weird or not at all?
I should mention the young nurse that took our blood. She looked trough some book for 10 minutes with stressed and confused expression on her face and than had to call the lab to make sure what test to perform and what size of tube to use.That is where seeds of my paranoia come from.
So here is my question.What is requirement for Tuberculosis test? Is x-ray mandatory now? Will it be OK if we only have X-rays and no skin test?
The way I understand it there needs to be a reason to have x-ray done instead of skin test.Is being from Ukraine a legitimate reason? Does it make any difference what kind of test you get as long as result is OK?

Edited August 14, 2013 by LanaMay

[CC90 90]

If you're uncomfortable, go somewhere else.

[Franciscus 32]

It's not because of Ukraine specifically; there's a lot of countries that give vaccine X (i don't know the name) to every kid, and that vaccine makes the skin test be positive even if you dont have TB. So you have two options: x-rays or blood test (TB quantiferon or something like that). Both are equally valid ways of showing you dont have TB.

Hi guys,
just went to have our medical exams done.
We did them once before 6 years ago for GC process trough my husbands employer.It is a long story about how employer's tax fraud can prevent you from filing I-485 in the end. Well, anyway all tests were negative(good) than, no x-ray was needed. This time doctor sent us to have x-rays done without even performing skin test for TB first.
I asked why.She said no one from Ukraine ever had negative(good) results for skin test and than you have to do x-ray anyway so why bother at all.I showed her our I-693 forms from six years ago that clearly stated both of us had negative(good) results.We did not travel abroad since.
She said:"You can be mad at me but I am still going to do what I think is right.INS will likely consider negative skin test insufficient.We are going ahead with x-rays." That is fine with me but is this situation seems a little weird or not at all?
I should mention the young nurse that took our blood. She looked trough some book for 10 minutes with stressed and confused expression on her face and than had to call the lab to make sure what test to perform and what size of tube to use.That is where seeds of my paranoia come from.
So here is my question.What is requirement for Tuberculosis test? Is x-ray mandatory now? Will it be OK if we only have X-rays and no skin test?
The way I understand it there needs to be a reason to have x-ray done instead of skin test.Is being from Ukraine a legitimate reason? Does it make any difference what kind of test you get as long as result is OK?

[GreenIsdanewBlack 4]

Hi guys,

just went to have our medical exams done.

We did them once before 6 years ago for GC process trough my husbands employer.It is a long story about how employer's tax fraud can prevent you from filing I-485 in the end. Well, anyway all tests were negative(good) than, no x-ray was needed. This time doctor sent us to have x-rays done without even performing skin test for TB first.

I asked why.She said no one from Ukraine ever had negative(good) results for skin test and than you have to do x-ray anyway so why bother at all.I showed her our I-693 forms from six years ago that clearly stated both of us had negative(good) results.We did not travel abroad since.

She said:"You can be mad at me but I am still going to do what I think is right.INS will likely consider negative skin test insufficient.We are going ahead with x-rays." That is fine with me but is this situation seems a little weird or not at all?

I should mention the young nurse that took our blood. She looked trough some book for 10 minutes with stressed and confused expression on her face and than had to call the lab to make sure what test to perform and what size of tube to use.That is where seeds of my paranoia come from.

So here is my question.What is requirement for Tuberculosis test? Is x-ray mandatory now? Will it be OK if we only have X-rays and no skin test?

The way I understand it there needs to be a reason to have x-ray done instead of skin test.Is being from Ukraine a legitimate reason? Does it make any difference what kind of test you get as long as result is OK?

MMR vaccine (very common for in Asian countries) taken as a child causes a false tuberculin test, and which point you need a x-ray. Alternately, you can get it confirmed through blood test - which is perfectly acceptable by USCIS.

They will ask you to take a x-ray if your tuberculin test shows (false) positive, but you will have to do a skin test first, unless you have a record of a previous failed TB skin test. If you have a copy of that record, you can go straight to X-Ray and you will need to provide a copy of your previous failed TB test for documentation.

More here

Edited August 15, 2013 by GreenIsdanewBlack

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

MMR vaccine (very common for in Asian countries) taken as a child causes a false tuberculin test, and which point you need a x-ray. Alternately, you can get it confirmed through blood test - which is perfectly acceptable by USCIS.

They will ask you to take a x-ray if your tuberculin test shows (false) positive, but you will have to do a skin test first, unless you have a record of a previous failed TB skin test. If you have a copy of that record, you can go straight to X-Ray and you will need to provide a copy of your previous failed TB test for documentation.

More here

The MMR is measles, mumps, rubella, and is given all around the world and in the US.

Maybe you mean the TB vaccine, which is called BCG?

[GreenIsdanewBlack 4]

The MMR is measles, mumps, rubella, and is given all around the world and in the US.

Maybe you mean the TB vaccine, which is called BCG?

You're probably right. I may have got them mixed up.

[LanaMay 5]

MMR vaccine (very common for in Asian countries) taken as a child causes a false tuberculin test, and which point you need a x-ray. Alternately, you can get it confirmed through blood test - which is perfectly acceptable by USCIS.

They will ask you to take a x-ray if your tuberculin test shows (false) positive, but you will have to do a skin test first, unless you have a record of a previous failed TB skin test. If you have a copy of that record, you can go straight to X-Ray and you will need to provide a copy of your previous failed TB test for documentation.

More here

I did not have false positive previously,I had clear negative test from 6 years ago.The doctor had this information and just refused to do any skin test at all simply because for some reason she assumed it will be false positive anyway.She sent me to do x-ray first thing without any skin test.It seems to be contradicting instructions on USCIS site.Thanks for the link. I guess I am going to have to confront her about it tomorrow.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Why do you care about the x-ray? Why don't you want it? What's the big deal? It will come back clean and that's that.

[GreenIsdanewBlack 4]

I did not have false positive previously,I had clear negative test from 6 years ago.The doctor had this information and just refused to do any skin test at all simply because for some reason she assumed it will be false positive anyway.She sent me to do x-ray first thing without any skin test.It seems to be contradicting instructions on USCIS site.Thanks for the link. I guess I am going to have to confront her about it tomorrow.

X-Ray is faster anyway, so it may be in your best interest to not confront her. All that they have to do is have the Radiologist look at it and they confirm one way or the other. They're also usually covered under insurance. TB skin test on the other hand takes waiting of 48 hours.

Your call.

PS: In their defense, USCIS keeps on changing this quite often, so it's really difficult for them to keep up - not that the USCIS appointed clinics are the best in the industry anyway.

[LanaMay 5]

Why do you care about the x-ray? Why don't you want it? What's the big deal? It will come back clean and that's that.

I do not mind x-ray but this is what USCIS site says:

Q. Will USCIS accept Form I-693 if the civil surgeon performed a chest x-ray without the TST?

No, the civil surgeon must administer the TST, unless one of the exceptions listed in the Technical Instructions applies. If the civil surgeon performs a chest x-ray without giving the applicant the TST, the reason for omitting the TST must be noted on Form I-693.

Q.Are there any situations in which the TST is not required for

applicants 2 years of age or older?

There are two situations in which the TST is not required. Applicants providing

written documentation (with a health-care provider’s signature) of a TST

reaction of 5 mm or greater of induration or applicants with a history of a severe

reaction with blistering to a prior TST may be excluded from this requirement.

I can not be excluded than.Right? I need a test first before X-ray.

Edited August 15, 2013 by LanaMay

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

No, you don't need it. The doctor will put the reason for skipping the skin test and all is well. The reason is probably "from a country that had BCG." No big deal, really.

[LanaMay 5]

Thank you.I will not bring it up with doctor than.

They supposed to give me a copy of everything that is in the sealed in envelope, right?

[d2477 2]

Yes they are supposed to give you an exact copy of what is in the sealed envelope

[Hypnos 6,576]

I did not receive a copy of my I-693, only the sealed envelope to enclose with my AoS.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

They don't have to give you a copy but ask and they will usually give you one. It's not a requirement though.