Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

I have zero medical insurance in the US. Any idea what the medical would run me for the blood, urine, X ray, ECG, and other basics would cost? I would take it in the Chicagoland area.

[roadwalker]

I last got a medical check in 2011 at a US Healthworks clinic. I see that they have a few in Chicago. I skipped the x-ray and the total was about $200. Don't skip the blood work/STD check. I didn't get any static at the consulate for not having an x-ray and nobody really cared about my med check. The year before, they wanted copies of every test (but I still didn't have an x-ray and still got my visa- at the San Francisco consulate). Keep documents with the clinic's letterhead and have them stamp the medical form with an official looking stamp, even if only their address stamp.

If those aren't good choices, search under "occupational medicine, Chicago" to find clinics that do such check ups.

[choudoufu]

you better confirm, but i read that new york consulate as not requiring
medical checks. if you apply with a visa agent, they can tell you the
latest up-to-date current information. and they can apply at any
consulate. it's possible you can get the visa without a new medical.
or they might (not likely but why not try) be able to submit one of your
recent medicals.

some provinces will require the medical before issuing a work permit.
your school's fao will tell you if you need to scan/send a copy for that.
either way, you will probably need to take another medical (at the
school's expense) once you arrive.

NG, ain't you had 3 or 4 medicals in the last six months? take the results
and x-rays and any documentation with you if you must do another medical.
you should be able to skip some of the tests.

some of us have the nurses fill out the basic info on the first page, then
the doctor can state "normal" or "not indicated" in many of the test
blanks and skip 'em altogether. main thing is to get the blood test
done. can't be skippin' that one.

[hilena_westb]

[Harbin]

[DosEquisX]

I've been on 3 contracts in China and never got a medical exam from my home country for my visa.

Don't know why they'd require it. I mean you get one when you get to China.

[naturegirl321]

Roadwalker: thanks, great info! I'll look them up.

choudoufu: Yep. Full medical with blood, urine, sight, hearing, weight, height, BP, and an X ray in December. Then blood and urine again in February. And then a full medical plus an EKG in April. Plus, I know I will need one in China, so I'd rather not have to get one in the US as well.

Harbin: thanks!

DosEquisX: Which consulate were you at? Chicagoland ones are notarious for being not nice. I think it depends on the employer as well as where the invite letter is issued.

[Non Sequitur]

Point of clarification.
Did your offering employer not send you the medical form and therefore were not expecting it back, OR they did send you a form but were happy to be told that the consulate you were dealing with didn't require a medical form?
The FAOs I've dealt with wouldn't be able to get their heads around that and would insist on a completed medical form.
Doesn't let you off a medical in China I suppose, but at least the school pays for that.

[naturegirl321]

[choudoufu]

[naturegirl321]

Thanks so much. I'll do that!

[DosEquisX]

[Teacher Jack]

Naturegirl, I filled out the medical form on my own. Stamped it with some official looking stamps and I was on my way. Easy-peasy. Cost? $10 for a stamp.

[Professional TEFLer]

Sorry for all of the questions, but I am giving China serious consideration and I want to make sure I have all of my ducks in a roll. So, if I get and pay for a physical in the USA, take the results with me to China, I'll have to get another physical once in China? If so, do I have to pay for that one as well? Anything need to be translated from the physical in the USA?

[lemak]