Physical Exam

What is a physical exam?

A physical exam is a medical examination that your doctor performs to get a comprehensive idea of your general health. Physicians Medical Primary Care doctors provide physical exams and answer all of your questions about your health. If they detect any abnormalities, they get started on designing a treatment for you right away.

Physical exams are also a great opportunity for you to connect with your primary care physician. When your doctor has the opportunity to get to know you, your health history, and your lifestyle, they can provide better personalized and effective care for you when health complications arise.

When should I get a physical exam?

There are many reasons to get a physical exam. You might need one for school, work, or for your own peace of mind. Your doctor can perform any of the following types of physical exams.

Annual exam

Annual exams are routine physical exams that you should get every year. Your doctor can check your vitals, adjust your medications, update your vaccines, and perform screenings for certain diseases.

School physical

Many schools ask that you get a physical exam as a condition of your enrollment. Your doctor can make sure you’re healthy and ready to take on the school year.

Sports physical

If you’re starting a new sport or a new season in your sport, you should get a physical to make sure your body can handle the demands of the activity.

Pre-employment physical

Pre-employment physicals vary depending on the job type and requirements. Your doctor makes sure you’re able to physically and mentally perform your job’s duties. If it’s required as part of your pre-employment check-up, Physicians Medical Primary Care also provides drug testing.

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 happens during a standard physical exam?

The steps in your physical exam might vary depending on the current state of your health, your health risks, and the reason for the exam. However, they generally include some consistencies. At your physical exam at Physicians Medical Primary Care, you can expect:

• Height and weight measurements
• A heart rate check
• A blood pressure reading
• Respiration rate
• A visual exam of your body
• Ear, nose, and throat inspection
• Reflex testing
• A discussion of your current health and any symptoms you have

Your doctor may also ask that you get a urinalysis or blood test as part of your physical exam to detect, for example, high cholesterol levels or signs of developing type 2 diabetes.

Book your next physical exam at Physicians Medical Primary Care by phone or online today.