US Immigration Medical Exam FAQ & Instructions

Q & A: Medical Examination for U.S. Immigration with Dr. Mara L. Pulcheri

Q: Who is the civil surgeon conducting the medical examination? 

A: Dr. Mara L. Pulcheri is a designated Civil Surgeon authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to perform medical examinations for immigration purposes. With over 10 years of practice in New York City, Dr. Pulcheri is a recipient of multiple Top Doctor awards and is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish.

Q: Where is the medical office located? 

A: The office is situated at 20 East 46th Street, Suite 200, New York, NY 10017, conveniently located between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue. It is accessible via subway or on foot from Grand Central, Rockefeller Center, and Penn Station, with parking available across the street.

Q: How can I schedule an appointment? 

A: Appointments can be made by calling 212-481-3600 or emailing immigration@eastsidemedicalpractice.com.

Our office hours are Monday to Thursday, 9 am – 5 pm, and Friday, 9 am – 4 pm.

We offer same-day or next-day appointments, excluding weekends and major holidays.

Q: What does the medical examination entail? 

A: The examination includes a review of your medical and vaccination history, along with mandatory lab tests for tuberculosis, gonorrhea, and syphilis based on age. The U.S. government mandates certain vaccinations, which Dr. Pulcheri will determine based on your age and other factors. COVID-19 vaccination proof is required for applicants aged 6 months and over. The entire process takes about one hour.

Q: What are the costs associated with the Medical Examination? 

A: Costs vary based on insurance coverage (Vaccines are not included in this fees)

Option 1: $250 visit fee for those using health insurance * for labs and vaccines (vaccinations may not be administered the same day). *Applicants under Medicaid should call their plan and confirm lab coevarge when order by a physician that is not register under Medicaid. If not covered we highly recommend choosing the option 2 below for the discounted fee offered by the lab company.

Option 2: $355 visit fee for applicants without health insurance, including all mandatory labs (add $65 for optional immunity checks for certain vaccines). Vaccination if needed are not included in this cost, please see fee below. Vaccines done at pharmacies; NYC health clinics are accepted. Medicaid applicants are encouraged to have vaccines done at local pharmacies for the possibility of coverage. with health insurance Dr. Pulcheri will discuss with applicants all the possibilities available in NYC for a possible lower cost vaccination.

Q: What additional information should I be aware of? 

A: 1) Influenza Vaccine Requirement: From October through March, all patients are required to receive an influenza vaccine as part of their medical examination.

2) I-693 Form Reissuance Fee: There is a fee of $75 for the reissuance of the I-693 form. This might be necessary for various reasons, such as when the sealed envelope is inadvertently opened or if the USCIS did not receive the form.

3) No Follow-Up Visit Needed for Form Collection: Patients do not require a follow-up visit simply to collect their completed I-693 form.

4) Follow-Up Visit for Treatment: If, after initial test results, a patient requires treatment (e.g., for syphilis), a follow-up visit fee of $250 will be applied. Alternatively, patients have the option to receive treatment from their primary care physician. If our office accepts the applicant’s insurance, we can bill the insurance for the follow-up visit costs.

5) Vaccination Fee for Uninsured Applicants: Patients without insurance who return on a separate day for vaccinations will incur a fee of $50. To avoid this additional cost, we strongly recommend receiving any necessary vaccines during the initial visit. Insure applicants: may receive the vaccines at our office on the day scheduled for the form collection so it may be submitted to health insurance coverage ( vaccines cannot be submitted to health insurance during the initial visit )

6) Vaccinations from Local Pharmacies: We accept documentation of vaccines administered at local pharmacies or vaccination centers, ensuring flexibility for completing vaccination requirements.

7) Vaccination requirements will vary by age. Proof of vaccination may be obtained by previous records or lab testing (later option for certain vaccines types for adult applicants only).

8) Please be aware that as of 11/2023 USCIS also requires that applicants age 13 and above must receive the most recent Covid-19 vaccine booster

Q: What do I need to bring to the medical examination? 

A: Please bring a passport or driver’s license, vaccination records, and your COVID-19 vaccination card. A registration form will also need to be completed, which can be done at our office.

Q: How long does it take for medical results to be released? 

A: Medical reports are typically ready within 5-10 working days post-appointment. You will receive your Form I-693 in a sealed envelope, which must not be opened.

Q: Is fasting required before the blood test? 

A: No, fasting is not necessary before your appointment.

Q: Can I use medical examination results from another practice for my immigrant visa examination? 

A: Unfortunately, no. Only examinations conducted by a Panel Physician and specifically for the purpose of your immigrant visa are accepted.

Addendum: Cost of Vaccines
Tdap: $75
Prevnar -20: $250
Flu: $75
Pneumovax-23: $ 130
Flu HD: $125
Hepatitis A: $125
Hepatitis B: $115
MMR: $145
Varicella: $300-$350 (may not be available in our office)
Covid-19 Vaccine: at pharmacy only

Note: Some children’s vaccines may need to be administered by a pediatrician.

For further inquiries, please contact us at immigration@eastsidemedicalpractice.com or call us at 212-481-3600 during our regular business hours.