MandyNi

Well I went to get my Varicella vaccination and vaccination transcription today. All went relatively smoothly, no trying to make me have another medical or x-rays etc and he was indeed civil. However, they did insist they would only take cash (although my OH did convince them to take a check - he hates to hand over cash) and gave him a small receipt marked "Physical" and stating "that's the only receipt we will give you".

When M. asked if they would file the process with our insurers we were told no because they already give such heavily discounted prices there was no point. We paid $120 for the vaccine and completion of the transcription which didn't seem that heavily discounted to M.

After reading RG's account on how she was treated and thinking about their general instance on cash, it does feel like there is something a bit "under the table" about how these are handled.

Anyhow AOS package will be with Chicago by lunchtime tomorrow. Feels a bit like lighting the blue touchpaper and waiting! We had hoped to go back to Ireland for Christmas, but given our delays in getting the AOS sent I guess it'll have to be St. Paddy's day.

lansbury

Paddy's day in Ireland, magic. I still remember Paddy's days in Kilburn when I worked there, and some of the hangovers.

md95065

Sadly, it probably was ...

... when a friend of mine who was visiting last year needed to see a doctor on a non-emergency basis it cost him $160 just to get in the door ...

penguinbar

Alot of insurers will not cover an immigration medical unfortunately.

MandyNi

Hmm interesting. I wonder why the insurers don't cover it?

penguinbar

I'm not sure. I got pretty annoyed because my husband had to get a new medical for his K1 since his apparently got lost in transit or something. The civil surgeon told me that they wouldn't accept any insurance for an immigration medical since they don't get reimbursed for it so I rang up my insurance company and several others and they all said the same thing. They said if it was just a regular physical it would be covered which made no sense to me.

ian-mstm

Well, for one thing, it has nothing whatsoever to do with ongoing health care. Regardless of how important it may be to the patient, it simply isn't necessary from a medical POV and therefore isn't covered.

Ian

Duncan Roberts

Call up your insurance company and ask for a claim form and instructions how to fill it in. It shouldn't cost anything so you have nothing to lose. The fact it was discounted, if it was discounted, is irrelevant, it will either be covered or not covered to a specific amount. If it was done in the US you have a legal right to get your medical record from the doctors that will show what they did and hopefully what the cost was and what you paid.

Rete

Because it is not a well visit nor is it a sick visit. And most probably it is with a doctor not in their network.

MandyNi

Well Ian, get that logic. They were listed on our providers list through. Anyway I guess we can ask/try, it can only be a yes or no!

penguinbar

The civil surgeon that we saw was in network. They just wouldn't cover it since it was for immigration purposes.

ian-mstm

Being on the provider list just means that you are okay for covered expenses. An immigration medical isn't medically necessary, and so is usually beyond what might otherwise be covered. It's just not part of your ongoing health care; indeed, it isn't even motivated by your concern for your own health... you aren't the one who wants to know whether or not you're healthy!


Yup... I agree!

Ian

Rete

Proves my first point, it was not a well or sick visit.