Grrr!!! Ripped off by the Civil Surgeon!!

[kevlar_kev 0]

Today Gie and I went to see the Civil Surgeon to get our vaccination supplement done. Of course, having read this site extensively, I knew that a full physical was not required for a K-1 visa holder. Well after going around and around with the doc over whether a full physical was required or not, he politely informed me that he was going to charge the same amount ($90) regardless. My first instinct was to walk, but as Gie's interview is next week, I didn't have the time to find another surgeon and schedule an appt.

Well, he took me for the $90. No sleep lost over that. But what bothers me is that USCIS is putting money in the pocket of a scam artist by designating this guy as a civil surgeon. And of course, they provide no means to make reports of un-ethical business practices of their civil surgeons that I'm aware of.

If anyone is in need of a civil surgeon on Oahu, PM me and I will tell you who NOT to go to.

[bszoom42 0]

I guess this is more of a location thing, but where I live, $90 for a doctor visit is very cheap. How much did you expect to pay?

[raymaga 25]

We paid $35.00 for the preparation of the Vaccination Supplement, so $90.00 for a whole exam AND Supplement doesn't sound too bad to me.

But, I do agree that he should not have charged you the full amount if he wasn't doing the exam.

It's over with now and you can rest assured that you will be prepared for your interview.

Good luck for a successful interview.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Today Gie and I went to see the Civil Surgeon to get our vaccination supplement done. Of course, having read this site extensively, I knew that a full physical was not required for a K-1 visa holder. Well after going around and around with the doc over whether a full physical was required or not, he politely informed me that he was going to charge the same amount ($90) regardless. My first instinct was to walk, but as Gie's interview is next week, I didn't have the time to find another surgeon and schedule an appt.

Well, he took me for the $90. No sleep lost over that. But what bothers me is that USCIS is putting money in the pocket of a scam artist by designating this guy as a civil surgeon. And of course, they provide no means to make reports of un-ethical business practices of their civil surgeons that I'm aware of.

If anyone is in need of a civil surgeon on Oahu, PM me and I will tell you who NOT to go to.

Don't be angry with the civil surgeon. The I-693A itself is the scam, putting the vaccination record on a form that is landscape instead of portrait for any price is just plain silly. The civil surgeon did nothing but read the chart work done by the doctor (we also paid for) in UAE who did the medical for the visa interview, and put in on the I-693A...

We paid $80 bucks, and all three of us, the civil surgeon, myself and my wife laughed at the little joke the government had played on us. But we paid the price, he was nice (the civil surgeon) and now its done...

Good luck on your interview!

Edited May 17, 2007 by ready4ONE

[florida_guy07 0]

Today Gie and I went to see the Civil Surgeon to get our vaccination supplement done. Of course, having read this site extensively, I knew that a full physical was not required for a K-1 visa holder. Well after going around and around with the doc over whether a full physical was required or not, he politely informed me that he was going to charge the same amount ($90) regardless. My first instinct was to walk, but as Gie's interview is next week, I didn't have the time to find another surgeon and schedule an appt.

Well, he took me for the $90. No sleep lost over that. But what bothers me is that USCIS is putting money in the pocket of a scam artist by designating this guy as a civil surgeon. And of course, they provide no means to make reports of un-ethical business practices of their civil surgeons that I'm aware of.

If anyone is in need of a civil surgeon on Oahu, PM me and I will tell you who NOT to go to.

I agree and you can file a complaint with the USCIS about it. I am not sure how, but a quick google search I am sure will show you how.

You should file a complaint, they are ripping people off, you do NOT need a full medical done, so you shouldn't be charged for one. They take advantage of people who don't research and because of that are not aware of what needs to be done.

[Lexis300 0]

I too was scammed by a civil surgeon. I'm starting to think they are making too much money like for TB testing and stuff

[KarenCee 3]

Today Gie and I went to see the Civil Surgeon to get our vaccination supplement done. Of course, having read this site extensively, I knew that a full physical was not required for a K-1 visa holder. Well after going around and around with the doc over whether a full physical was required or not, he politely informed me that he was going to charge the same amount ($90) regardless. My first instinct was to walk, but as Gie's interview is next week, I didn't have the time to find another surgeon and schedule an appt.

Well, he took me for the $90. No sleep lost over that. But what bothers me is that USCIS is putting money in the pocket of a scam artist by designating this guy as a civil surgeon. And of course, they provide no means to make reports of un-ethical business practices of their civil surgeons that I'm aware of.

If anyone is in need of a civil surgeon on Oahu, PM me and I will tell you who NOT to go to.

Considering some doctors charge $300 and upwards, I'd say you got a BARGAIN. Was this dr the only one you could go to? Did you call around? It took me about an hour of calling around to find a dr that would do the vaccination supplement AND the Tetanus shot my husband needed for $50. It pays to call around.

[KarenCee 3]

Today Gie and I went to see the Civil Surgeon to get our vaccination supplement done. Of course, having read this site extensively, I knew that a full physical was not required for a K-1 visa holder. Well after going around and around with the doc over whether a full physical was required or not, he politely informed me that he was going to charge the same amount ($90) regardless. My first instinct was to walk, but as Gie's interview is next week, I didn't have the time to find another surgeon and schedule an appt.

Well, he took me for the $90. No sleep lost over that. But what bothers me is that USCIS is putting money in the pocket of a scam artist by designating this guy as a civil surgeon. And of course, they provide no means to make reports of un-ethical business practices of their civil surgeons that I'm aware of.

If anyone is in need of a civil surgeon on Oahu, PM me and I will tell you who NOT to go to.

I agree and you can file a complaint with the USCIS about it. I am not sure how, but a quick google search I am sure will show you how.

You should file a complaint, they are ripping people off, you do NOT need a full medical done, so you shouldn't be charged for one. They take advantage of people who don't research and because of that are not aware of what needs to be done.

That may be, BUT it is *their* practice...they can do whatever they want. I told one CS the exact same thing...that my husband's medical was only 4 months old and the USCIS says K1's don't need a new one unless it is over a year old. I was promptly told "this is our practice and we require a new medical." The simple solution? Call around.

[bora bora 1]

We got the supplement in a second - and for only $25. However, the doctor wasn't even there. He lives in Miami! His nurse/secretary did everything.

Yet, who pockets the money...

[Mags 112]

Our supplement was only $25. We were recommended him by another member in Indiana. I don't think we even spoke to the Civil Surgeon. We left all of the forms there, went shopping for a couple of hours and came back to a completed supplement.

[Dr_LHA 3]

Well after going around and around with the doc over whether a full physical was required or not, he politely informed me that he was going to charge the same amount ($90) regardless.

$90 for a full physical? Wow! That's extremely cheap. Sure you didn't need the full physical, but still. Honestly though, unless you've been blessed with great medical insurance all your life, you shouldn't be complaining about any trip to the doctors that costs you less than $100 IMHO.

[Alhamdulillah 0]

Is this something that medical insurance would cover?

[athena_ny 1]

Is this something that medical insurance would cover?

Occasionally, but not very often at all.

My husband's didn't cover it.

[elgringo 0]

$90 is awesome man! We ended up paying $400 all together for ours. The exam was $250 by itself!!

[Emancipation 2]

The Civil Surgeon that we had talked about it.. It's not just immigrants who use them for instance, but people in the aviation industry etc. He had friends (pilots) who encouraged him to be a Civil Surgeon because they were being ripped off from other Dr's. He also said it is a crying shame that immigrants who already are paying so much to get into the country then get ripped off when they get here with overpriced medicals etc. Good man with a good heart. Not ALL Civil Surgeons are bad. You HAVE to shop around - 'cept this isn't the "fun" kinda shopping - pity.