Cost of Bloodwork medical

[BluePanther]

Anyone any experience on how much labs charge for blood work as part of the immigration medical?

[Dukeith]

Anyone any experience on how much labs charge for blood work as part of the immigration medical?

It really depends on where you get the test. Some of the physicians prescriptions which you could go any clinic getting your tests done (can be covered by insurance). Some of they just want to make money so they charge you cash.

#Only lab tests could be covered by insurance. Your county of health department can do that. But, you can not use insurance to cover the exam fee.

[k6543]

Anyone any experience on how much labs charge for blood work as part of the immigration medical?

I had it done I guess any where between $300 to $400.
X-ray for TB, blood test, vaccines, general physical etc..
I had it done in MA state, paid out of pocket for Immigration doctor but I guess only X-ray was covered.
Anyway, call you closest immigration doctor & ask them the prices.

[quirkywombat]

Anyone any experience on how much labs charge for blood work as part of the immigration medical?

USCIS medical exams are never covered by insurance, but some other portions are (vaccines, x-ray, etc). I paid a little less than $300 in NY. I basically called a bunch of doctors from the USCIS website and asked how much it costs (incl. lab work), timeline to getting results, what's included etc. I declined an annual physical (some doctors try to include it in the cost, but I have a high deductible plan so declined it; that's usually covered by insurance though)

[BluePanther]

OK, thank you all for the responses. My doctor quote me 150 excluding immunizations required. They informed that included all cost, but now I have a lab test order and just noticed it states ‘bill patient’ so we will se what the lab charges are.

Side note, is it accurate the the TB test is now a bloodtest instead of a skintest?

[quirkywombat]

OK, thank you all for the responses. My doctor quote me 150 excluding immunizations required. They informed that included all cost, but now I have a lab test order and just noticed it states ‘bill patient’ so we will se what the lab charges are.

Side note, is it accurate the the TB test is now a bloodtest instead of a skintest?

I think immunizations are covered by insurance depending on your plan (though I would imagine most cover it). Or for the flu shot for example you could get it somewhere cheaper (like a CVS or something) and bring evidence to the civil surgeon after. I opted to just do it at the doctor's for convenience. Lab work is done by a third party so typically have an extra cost associated with it (but again, depends on facility, doctor etc)

Yes to TB blood test as of Oct 2018 I believe, unless you are 2 years or younger.

[BluePanther]

I think immunizations are covered by insurance depending on your plan (though I would imagine most cover it). Or for the flu shot for example you could get it somewhere cheaper (like a CVS or something) and bring evidence to the civil surgeon after. I opted to just do it at the doctor's for convenience. Lab work is done by a third party so typically have an extra cost associated with it (but again, depends on facility, doctor etc)

Yes to TB blood test as of Oct 2018 I believe, unless you are 2 years or younger.

OK thanks. Do you know if the bloodwork can be covered by insurance or at a minimum if we can pay this using HSA account?

[quirkywombat]

OK thanks. Do you know if the bloodwork can be covered by insurance or at a minimum if we can pay this using HSA account?

You can use your HSA for any qualifying medical expenses, and I believe lab work is covered as a qualifying medical expense, but I would always reach out to the HSA company / your insurance company to double check first before paying anything. You can also pay out of pocket first, and keep the receipt (always keep the medical receipts anyway) and be reimbursed later.

[BluePanther]

You can use your HSA for any qualifying medical expenses, and I believe lab work is covered as a qualifying medical expense, but I would always reach out to the HSA company / your insurance company to double check first before paying anything. You can also pay out of pocket first, and keep the receipt (always keep the medical receipts anyway) and be reimbursed later.

Lab ended up $150 for blood and urine test. Makes the total cost reasonable at about $300 for exam, labwork and completing the I693 package.

Thanks for the help!

[quirkywombat]

Lab ended up $150 for blood and urine test. Makes the total cost reasonable at about $300 for exam, labwork and completing the I693 package.

Thanks for the help!

You're welcome! Sounds pretty reasonable

[BluePanther]

You're welcome! Sounds pretty reasonable

Yes, most of the other doctors I called would charge $450 per person excluding lab work. So that would end up being $600 per person, which I think is excessive for maybe an hour work for the doc.

[JunkMart]

Anyone any experience on how much labs charge for blood work as part of the immigration medical?

I called several Civil Surgeons, and each charged different prices. One charged a flat fee of $585 for the physical, lab work (blood and urine), and any vaccinations that may be necessary (If you don't need the vaccines, the clinic just pockets that money $$). Others ranged from $220 to $300 for the exam and lab work only, with vaccine being additional.

I chose the $220 option, and chose to get my vaccinations at my county's public health clinic. The MMR and TDap vaccines were only $16 total at the public health clinic. Walgreens charged between $60 and $160 for the vaccines.

One note: I recommend you first visit the Civil Surgeon to have your blood drawn and urine collected, and to show them your vaccination records. At that time, they will tell you which additional vaccines you need. After that, proceed to your public health clinic to get the vaccines. An another day, you will return to the Civil Surgeon for your lab results, to have the actual exam, and to present your proof of vaccination.

Good Luck!

- - - Updated - - -

OK, thank you all for the responses. My doctor quote me 150 excluding immunizations required. They informed that included all cost, but now I have a lab test order and just noticed it states ‘bill patient’ so we will se what the lab charges are.

Side note, is it accurate the the TB test is now a blood test instead of a skin test?

Yes, TB is now blood test only. USCIS no longer accepts results of TB skin test. $150 sounds like a good deal, but I would expect the civil surgeon to draw blood and either test it or send it off for testing. I haven't heard of them sending you to an outside lab for testing. Interesting, and possibly costly.

[BluePanther]

I called several Civil Surgeons, and each charged different prices. One charged a flat fee of $585 for the physical, lab work (blood and urine), and any vaccinations that may be necessary (If you don't need the vaccines, the clinic just pockets that money $$). Others ranged from $220 to $300 for the exam and lab work only, with vaccine being additional.

I chose the $220 option, and chose to get my vaccinations at my county's public health clinic. The MMR and TDap vaccines were only $16 total at the public health clinic. Walgreens charged between $60 and $160 for the vaccines.

One note: I recommend you first visit the Civil Surgeon to have your blood drawn and urine collected, and to show them your vaccination records. At that time, they will tell you which additional vaccines you need. After that, proceed to your public health clinic to get the vaccines. An another day, you will return to the Civil Surgeon for your lab results, to have the actual exam, and to present your proof of vaccination.

Good Luck!

Thanks! We opted to have the missing immunizations administered during the exam. Probably a bit more expensive, but since they were charging only $150 for the exam and the immunizations were priced reasonable too, this was just easier and still kept the cost reasonable overall.

This thread was mainly to inquire about the blood work cost, but that was not bad either. $150 for the adults, and less than $100 for the kids.

Overall its a lot of money for a family, but I find consolation in the fact that it is a one time expense.

[martin]

The civil surgeon told me they could give us the injections, but then our health insurance wouldn't pay for it. We just went to CVS and got them there, insurance covered it 100%.

[BluePanther]

The civil surgeon told me they could give us the injections, but then our health insurance wouldn't pay for it. We just went to CVS and got them there, insurance covered it 100%.

i have a high deductible plan, so it would be covered and then I would stll have to pay through the deductible ;-).
So we just took them there and paid for it. I do have to add that our interview is coming up and I did not want to delay completion of the medical unnecessarily.