Broadband Techie

Hi All,
I just wanted to share my recent experience with obtaining my medical
examination & prove of immunization for AOS...
Being in generally overpriced northern Cali, I didn't expect this process to
be any cheap, but after researching various web sites and calling clinics in
my area, all seemed like I'd pay somewhere between $85-$150.
So there I am, local clinic which quoted me $85 over the phone, filling up
few forms with some basic personal info, handing over my Vaccination records
translated to English language... Finally after about 45minutes of waiting,
doctor called me in -> took blood from my left arm, gave me the TB skin test
"shot" into my right arm... About five minutes AFTER this, doctor asked
me -> Did you by any chance get the BCG vaccine in your home country ? I
wasn't sure and told him it would be on my Vaccination record if I did. Doc
brought the sheet I gave his assistant and looked at the first Item which
surely listed "BCG" and appropriate date next to it... I could practically
see the "ooops" expression on his face but he didn't really say anything
except for setting me up for an appointment 3 days later... His assistant
who quoted me $85 asked me to pay the balance of $128 and to come back in 3
days for the blood test results and the skin test outcome...
In those 3 days, I've slowly watched the spot of my skin test getting bigger
and "bumpier" -> Walked back into the clinic on the appointment date ->
different doctor gave me 3 shots (MMR, TD and Varicella), checked out the
bump on my arm from the skin test, said that it's reacting because of the
BCG vaccine (he said it was normal) and handed over sealed envelope for the
USCIS and my copy of the I-693. His assistant charged be $347 for the
vaccines and there I was ->> $475 lighter, confused about the skin test but
with the all important I-693 in my hand...

Did any of you had similar experience ? Seems like the whole thing was more
about money than honest evaluation of my physical condition...

Whiskers

    > Hi All,
    > I just wanted to share my recent experience with obtaining my medical
    > examination & prove of immunization for AOS...
    > Being in generally overpriced northern Cali, I didn't expect this
    > process to
    > be any cheap, but after researching various web sites and calling
    > clinics in
    > my area, all seemed like I'd pay somewhere between $85-$150.
    > So there I am, local clinic which quoted me $85 over the phone,
    > filling up
    > few forms with some basic personal info, handing over my Vaccination
    > records
    > translated to English language... Finally after about 45minutes of
    > waiting,
    > doctor called me in -> took blood from my left arm, gave me the TB
    > skin test
    > "shot" into my right arm... About five minutes AFTER this, doctor
    > asked
    > me -> Did you by any chance get the BCG vaccine in your home country ?
    > I
    > wasn't sure and told him it would be on my Vaccination record if I
    > did. Doc
    > brought the sheet I gave his assistant and looked at the first Item
    > which
    > surely listed "BCG" and appropriate date next to it... I could
    > practically
    > see the "ooops" expression on his face but he didn't really say
    > anything
    > except for setting me up for an appointment 3 days later... His
    > assistant
    > who quoted me $85 asked me to pay the balance of $128 and to come back
    > in 3
    > days for the blood test results and the skin test outcome...
    > In those 3 days, I've slowly watched the spot of my skin test getting
    > bigger
    > and "bumpier" -> Walked back into the clinic on the appointment date
    > ->
    > different doctor gave me 3 shots (MMR, TD and Varicella), checked out
    > the
    > bump on my arm from the skin test, said that it's reacting because of
    > the
    > BCG vaccine (he said it was normal) and handed over sealed envelope
    > for the
    > USCIS and my copy of the I-693. His assistant charged be $347 for the
    > vaccines and there I was ->> $475 lighter, confused about the skin
    > test but
    > with the all important I-693 in my hand...
    > Did any of you had similar experience ? Seems like the whole thing was
    > more
    > about money than honest evaluation of my physical condition...

I have to agree it is outrageous.
I shopped around in the Chicago area and got the lot done for $150
exactly what they told me it would be, but I have heard of people paying
upto $700 which is damn stupid I have a friend in Texas who paid $95.
I have been told that it is cheaper to go to the Medical Clinic rather
then a Private surgery Doctor.
Whiskers

p.s at least it all over and done with or yer my arm hurt for ages lol

DonnaElvira

    > Hi All,
    > I just wanted to share my recent experience with obtaining my medical
    > examination & prove of immunization for AOS...
    > Being in generally overpriced northern Cali, I didn't expect this
    > process to
    > be any cheap, but after researching various web sites and calling
    > clinics in
    > my area, all seemed like I'd pay somewhere between $85-$150.
    > So there I am, local clinic which quoted me $85 over the phone,
    > filling up
    > few forms with some basic personal info, handing over my Vaccination
    > records
    > translated to English language... Finally after about 45minutes of
    > waiting,
    > doctor called me in -> took blood from my left arm, gave me the TB
    > skin test
    > "shot" into my right arm... About five minutes AFTER this, doctor
    > asked
    > me -> Did you by any chance get the BCG vaccine in your home country ?
    > I
    > wasn't sure and told him it would be on my Vaccination record if I
    > did. Doc
    > brought the sheet I gave his assistant and looked at the first Item
    > which
    > surely listed "BCG" and appropriate date next to it... I could
    > practically
    > see the "ooops" expression on his face but he didn't really say
    > anything
    > except for setting me up for an appointment 3 days later... His
    > assistant
    > who quoted me $85 asked me to pay the balance of $128 and to come back
    > in 3
    > days for the blood test results and the skin test outcome...
    > In those 3 days, I've slowly watched the spot of my skin test getting
    > bigger
    > and "bumpier" -> Walked back into the clinic on the appointment date
    > ->
    > different doctor gave me 3 shots (MMR, TD and Varicella), checked out
    > the
    > bump on my arm from the skin test, said that it's reacting because of
    > the
    > BCG vaccine (he said it was normal) and handed over sealed envelope
    > for the
    > USCIS and my copy of the I-693. His assistant charged be $347 for the
    > vaccines and there I was ->> $475 lighter, confused about the skin
    > test but
    > with the all important I-693 in my hand...
    > Did any of you had similar experience ? Seems like the whole thing was
    > more
    > about money than honest evaluation of my physical condition...

I think $85 is actually very cheap for a medical but you got stitched
with the extras.

If you have insurance, you could have had the shots at your doctor's.
Failing that, even a community clinic would probably have been cheaper.

Surprised you didn't have to have an X-ray because your TB test came up
positive (which it invariably does with people who have been
vaccinated).

    :(

SecretGarden

    > Hi All,
    > I just wanted to share my recent experience with obtaining my medical
    > examination & prove of immunization for AOS...
    > Being in generally overpriced northern Cali, I didn't expect this
    > process to
    > be any cheap, but after researching various web sites and calling
    > clinics in
    > my area, all seemed like I'd pay somewhere between $85-$150.
    > So there I am, local clinic which quoted me $85 over the phone,
    > filling up
    > few forms with some basic personal info, handing over my Vaccination
    > records
    > translated to English language... Finally after about 45minutes of
    > waiting,
    > doctor called me in -> took blood from my left arm, gave me the TB
    > skin test
    > "shot" into my right arm... About five minutes AFTER this, doctor
    > asked
    > me -> Did you by any chance get the BCG vaccine in your home country ?
    > I
    > wasn't sure and told him it would be on my Vaccination record if I
    > did. Doc
    > brought the sheet I gave his assistant and looked at the first Item
    > which
    > surely listed "BCG" and appropriate date next to it... I could
    > practically
    > see the "ooops" expression on his face but he didn't really say
    > anything
    > except for setting me up for an appointment 3 days later... His
    > assistant
    > who quoted me $85 asked me to pay the balance of $128 and to come back
    > in 3
    > days for the blood test results and the skin test outcome...
    > In those 3 days, I've slowly watched the spot of my skin test getting
    > bigger
    > and "bumpier" -> Walked back into the clinic on the appointment date
    > ->
    > different doctor gave me 3 shots (MMR, TD and Varicella), checked out
    > the
    > bump on my arm from the skin test, said that it's reacting because of
    > the
    > BCG vaccine (he said it was normal) and handed over sealed envelope
    > for the
    > USCIS and my copy of the I-693. His assistant charged be $347 for the
    > vaccines and there I was ->> $475 lighter, confused about the skin
    > test but
    > with the all important I-693 in my hand...
    > Did any of you had similar experience ? Seems like the whole thing was
    > more
    > about money than honest evaluation of my physical condition...

Hi,
How old was your original medical when you submitted the I-485? If it
was a year old or less, you only had to have the vaccination supplement
done, not another entire medical.

~SecretGarden

Broadband Techie

Actually this was for the original submission...


"SecretGarden" <member4024@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:35$292371$2184642$...
    >> Hi All,
    >> I just wanted to share my recent experience with obtaining my medical
    >> examination & prove of immunization for AOS...
    >> Being in generally overpriced northern Cali, I didn't expect this
    >> process to
    >> be any cheap, but after researching various web sites and calling
    >> clinics in
    >> my area, all seemed like I'd pay somewhere between $85-$150.
    >> So there I am, local clinic which quoted me $85 over the phone,
    >> filling up
    >> few forms with some basic personal info, handing over my Vaccination
    >> records
    >> translated to English language... Finally after about 45minutes of
    >> waiting,
    >> doctor called me in -> took blood from my left arm, gave me the TB
    >> skin test
    >> "shot" into my right arm... About five minutes AFTER this, doctor
    >> asked
    >> me -> Did you by any chance get the BCG vaccine in your home country ?
    >> I
    >> wasn't sure and told him it would be on my Vaccination record if I
    >> did. Doc
    >> brought the sheet I gave his assistant and looked at the first Item
    >> which
    >> surely listed "BCG" and appropriate date next to it... I could
    >> practically
    >> see the "ooops" expression on his face but he didn't really say
    >> anything
    >> except for setting me up for an appointment 3 days later... His
    >> assistant
    >> who quoted me $85 asked me to pay the balance of $128 and to come back
    >> in 3
    >> days for the blood test results and the skin test outcome...
    >> In those 3 days, I've slowly watched the spot of my skin test getting
    >> bigger
    >> and "bumpier" -> Walked back into the clinic on the appointment date
    >> ->
    >> different doctor gave me 3 shots (MMR, TD and Varicella), checked out
    >> the
    >> bump on my arm from the skin test, said that it's reacting because of
    >> the
    >> BCG vaccine (he said it was normal) and handed over sealed envelope
    >> for the
    >> USCIS and my copy of the I-693. His assistant charged be $347 for the
    >> vaccines and there I was ->> $475 lighter, confused about the skin
    >> test but
    >> with the all important I-693 in my hand...
    >> Did any of you had similar experience ? Seems like the whole thing was
    >> more
    >> about money than honest evaluation of my physical condition...
    > Hi,
    > How old was your original medical when you submitted the I-485? If it
    > was a year old or less, you only had to have the vaccination supplement
    > done, not another entire medical.
    > ~SecretGarden
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Broadband Techie

That's exactly what I was thinking, at least it's over with :)... Would have
been much cheaper if I was up to date with my vaccinations and probably even
more expensive if they were to do the X-Ray of my chest...

Thanks everyone for your responses...

"whiskers" <member36111@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:35$292371$2184277$...
    >> Hi All,
    >> I just wanted to share my recent experience with obtaining my medical
    >> examination & prove of immunization for AOS...
    >> Being in generally overpriced northern Cali, I didn't expect this
    >> process to
    >> be any cheap, but after researching various web sites and calling
    >> clinics in
    >> my area, all seemed like I'd pay somewhere between $85-$150.
    >> So there I am, local clinic which quoted me $85 over the phone,
    >> filling up
    >> few forms with some basic personal info, handing over my Vaccination
    >> records
    >> translated to English language... Finally after about 45minutes of
    >> waiting,
    >> doctor called me in -> took blood from my left arm, gave me the TB
    >> skin test
    >> "shot" into my right arm... About five minutes AFTER this, doctor
    >> asked
    >> me -> Did you by any chance get the BCG vaccine in your home country ?
    >> I
    >> wasn't sure and told him it would be on my Vaccination record if I
    >> did. Doc
    >> brought the sheet I gave his assistant and looked at the first Item
    >> which
    >> surely listed "BCG" and appropriate date next to it... I could
    >> practically
    >> see the "ooops" expression on his face but he didn't really say
    >> anything
    >> except for setting me up for an appointment 3 days later... His
    >> assistant
    >> who quoted me $85 asked me to pay the balance of $128 and to come back
    >> in 3
    >> days for the blood test results and the skin test outcome...
    >> In those 3 days, I've slowly watched the spot of my skin test getting
    >> bigger
    >> and "bumpier" -> Walked back into the clinic on the appointment date
    >> ->
    >> different doctor gave me 3 shots (MMR, TD and Varicella), checked out
    >> the
    >> bump on my arm from the skin test, said that it's reacting because of
    >> the
    >> BCG vaccine (he said it was normal) and handed over sealed envelope
    >> for the
    >> USCIS and my copy of the I-693. His assistant charged be $347 for the
    >> vaccines and there I was ->> $475 lighter, confused about the skin
    >> test but
    >> with the all important I-693 in my hand...
    >> Did any of you had similar experience ? Seems like the whole thing was
    >> more
    >> about money than honest evaluation of my physical condition...
    > I have to agree it is outrageous.
    > I shopped around in the Chicago area and got the lot done for $150
    > exactly what they told me it would be, but I have heard of people paying
    > upto $700 which is damn stupid I have a friend in Texas who paid $95.
    > I have been told that it is cheaper to go to the Medical Clinic rather
    > then a Private surgery Doctor.
    > Whiskers
    > p.s at least it all over and done with or yer my arm hurt for ages lol
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

SecretGarden

    > Actually this was for the original submission...
    > "SecretGarden" <member4024@british_expats.com> wrote in message
    > news:35$292371$2184642$...
    > >> Hi All,
    > >> I just wanted to share my recent experience with obtaining my
    > >> medical
    > >> examination & prove of immunization for AOS...
    > >> Being in generally overpriced northern Cali, I didn't expect this
    > >> process to
    > >> be any cheap, but after researching various web sites and calling
    > >> clinics in
    > >> my area, all seemed like I'd pay somewhere between $85-$150.
    > >> So there I am, local clinic which quoted me $85 over the phone,
    > >> filling up
    > >> few forms with some basic personal info, handing over my
    > >> Vaccination
    > >> records
    > >> translated to English language... Finally after about 45minutes of
    > >> waiting,
    > >> doctor called me in -> took blood from my left arm, gave me the TB
    > >> skin test
    > >> "shot" into my right arm... About five minutes AFTER this, doctor
    > >> asked
    > >> me -> Did you by any chance get the BCG vaccine in your home
    > >> country ?
    > >> I
    > >> wasn't sure and told him it would be on my Vaccination record if I
    > >> did. Doc
    > >> brought the sheet I gave his assistant and looked at the
    > >> first Item
    > >> which
    > >> surely listed "BCG" and appropriate date next to it... I
    > >> could
    > >> practically
    > >> see the "ooops" expression on his face but he didn't really
    > >> say
    > >> anything
    > >> except for setting me up for an appointment 3 days later...
    > >> His
    > >> assistant
    > >> who quoted me $85 asked me to pay the balance of $128 and to
    > >> come back
    > >> in 3
    > >> days for the blood test results and the skin test outcome...
    > >> In those 3 days, I've slowly watched the spot of my skin test
    > >> getting
    > >> bigger
    > >> and "bumpier" -> Walked back into the clinic on the
    > >> appointment date
    > >> ->
    > >> different doctor gave me 3 shots (MMR, TD and Varicella),
    > >> checked out
    > >> the
    > >> bump on my arm from the skin test, said that it's reacting
    > >> because of
    > >> the
    > >> BCG vaccine (he said it was normal) and handed over sealed
    > >> envelope
    > >> for the
    > >> USCIS and my copy of the I-693. His assistant charged be $347
    > >> for the
    > >> vaccines and there I was ->> $475 lighter, confused about the
    > >> skin
    > >> test but
    > >> with the all important I-693 in my hand...
    > >> Did any of you had similar experience ? Seems like the whole
    > >> thing was
    > >> more
    > >> about money than honest evaluation of my physical
    > >> condition...
    > > Hi,
    > > How old was your original medical when you submitted the I-485? If
    > > it
    > > was a year old or less, you only had to have the vaccination
    > > supplement
    > > done, not another entire medical.
    > > ~SecretGarden
    > > --
    > > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Hi,
What I meant was, if you came in on a visa then you had to have a
medical in your country of origin. I guess you came in under the VWP?

~SecretGarden

Ned Brickley

On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 23:33:45 +0000, whiskers
<member36111@british_expats.com> wrote:

    >I have to agree it is outrageous.
    >I shopped around in the Chicago area and got the lot done for $150
    >exactly what they told me it would be, but I have heard of people paying
    >upto $700 which is damn stupid I have a friend in Texas who paid $95.
    >I have been told that it is cheaper to go to the Medical Clinic rather
    >then a Private surgery Doctor.
    >Whiskers
    >p.s at least it all over and done with or yer my arm hurt for ages lol

I paid $200 for my wife's I-693 physical with Dr. Quack N. Sticker.
(That clown jabbed my wife 15 times in both arms. He is way to old to
be handling needles, but this is another story)

We ran into a problem though. My wife's TB test came back positive and
we had to get her X-rayed. Since I didn't want to pay for that out of
pocket, not to mention what might happen if it was confirmed, we went
to our primary care physican so he could sign off on the x-ray.
(Let my overpriced insurance pay for that!)

As we expected the x-ray came back negative. It appears my wife, who
is chinese, recieved some sort of immunization back in China in the
70's or 80's that creates an antibody that will triger a false
positive on the skin test generally used here.

In any case my wife picked up the sealed envelope Thursday and I
mailed everything for her AOS and EAD Friday. Thanks to that damn
false positive we're 10 days behinde schedule. :(

Brenda Ballard

I called the two doctors in our area ....one is 300.00 without
vaccinations and the other is 100.00 so my hubby is going to the one
that is 100.00 and we will see what vaccinations he might need and
maybe go to the health dept or our family doctor.

bb

Brenda Ballard

what is the bcg?