What happens during an annual physical?
Annual physicals are an essential part of your overall health and wellness. These visits are a chance for you to get the preventive health screenings you need. They are also an opportunity to monitor existing treatment plans and make adjustments as needed.
Some aspects of your annual physicals will remain consistent from one year to the next. You can expect your practitioner to evaluate and record details of your:
- Height
- Weight
- Breathing function
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Skin condition
- Reflexes
- Basic neurological function
Other aspects of your annual physicals will change as you move through the phases of life. You need different screenings based on your age, sex, and overall health.
What kinds of specialized physicals are available?
Annual physical exams are important for your personal health journey. There are times, however, when you or a family member require a specialized physical. Physicians Medical Urgent Care provides the following types of physicals.
School physicals
These visits determine if a child is healthy enough to attend school with other children. These visits often include a review of your child’s immunization record.
Sports or camp physicals
These physicals evaluate your child’s ability to participate in athletic or recreational pursuits without risk of harm. Your provider performs a range of routine health checks, although some organizations require specific screenings based on the proposed activity.
Pre-employment physicals
These exams determine if you are healthy enough to engage in a specific line of work. Your exam might include a mandatory vision or hearing exam, or drug screening.
Immigration physicals
Part of the immigration process is demonstrating that you are healthy. An immigration exam requires specific health checks, and Physicians Medical Urgent Care features providers with authorization to perform these exams. They complete the specific paperwork after the exam concludes.
Immigration Physicals
Who needs an immigration physical?
An immigration medical exam is a necessary part of immigrating to the United States and becoming a permanent resident (green card holder). Sometimes called a green card medical exam, the appointment is a routine part of the process to ensure public safety and remove the grounds for inadmissibility for intending immigrants.
Purpose of an Immigration Medical Exam
The immigration medical examination, the resulting medical examination report, and the vaccination record provide the information U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) uses to determine if a foreign national meets the health-related standards for admissibility.
What to Take to your Medical Exam
In preparation for the medical examination, you will need to take several items.
- Valid passport or other government-issued photo identification
- Vaccination records
- Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (if adjusting status)
- The required fee (varies by doctor)
- Required number of U.S. passport photos
- Report of the condition and any special education or supervision requirements (if anyone in your family is immigrating with learning disabilities)
- List of medications (if you are being treated for a chronic medical condition or taking medications on a regular basis)
- Tuberculosis certificate from your doctor (if you’ve had a previous positive skin test for tuberculosis) proving that you were adequately treated
- Certificate of clearance signed by a doctor or public health official, proving that you were adequately treated (if you have had syphilis)
- If you have a history of harmful or violent behavior resulting in injury to people or animals, information that will allow the doctor to determine whether the behavior was related to a psychiatric or medical problem, or to drug or alcohol use
- If you have been treated or hospitalized for psychiatric or mental illness, or alcohol or drug abuse, written certification including the diagnosis, length of treatment, and your prognosis
Vaccinations
The doctor will make sure that you have had all the required vaccinations. Some vaccines are expressly required by the Immigration and Nationality Act, and others are required because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have determined they are in the interest of public health. Regardless, you must receive the following vaccinations before being admitted as a permanent resident:
- Mumps, measles, rubella
- Polio
- Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids
- Pertussis
- Haemophilius influenza type B
- Hepatitis B
- Varicella
- Influenza
- Pneumococcal pneumonia
- Rotavirus
- Hepatitis A
- Meningococcal
Medical History and Physical Examination
The doctor or a member of the doctor’s staff will ask questions about your medical history. The doctor will then give you a physical examination. Typically, the physical exam includes looking at your eyes, ears, nose and throat, extremities, heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, skin, and external genitalia. The doctor will also order a chest X-ray and blood test to check for syphilis. Children will generally be excused from the X-ray and blood test requirement. If you are pregnant, contact your respective embassy or consular office to inquire about a postponement.
Mental Examination
The doctor will even perform a mental status exam that assesses your intelligence, thought, comprehension, judgment, affect, mood, and behavior. Applicants who have physical or mental disorders and harmful behavior associated with those disorders are inadmissible.
Upon Completion
Our physician will give you a completed Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, in a sealed envelope. Do not open the envelope under any circumstance. Submit the medical exam along with Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status. The results of your immigration medical exam are generally valid for two years.
Green Card/Immigration Exam
Immigration forms
What can I do to make the most of my physical exam?
A bit of preparation can maximize the benefits of any physical exam. Be prepared to share details of your personal and family health history. Bring in a list of any medications or supplements you’re taking.
If you have concerns or questions, consider writing them down prior to your visit. It’s easy to overlook something once the exam begins, and having a list of questions ensures you get all the information you need.
If you need any type of physical exam, call Physicians Medical Urgent Care, or book an appointment online at your earliest convenience.
