I am working on paperwork for my visa. Can the medical letter be done in Bangkok as is very expensive here in the states for Xrays and labs?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about the possibility of obtaining a medical letter for their visa in Bangkok, citing high costs for X-rays and lab tests in the United States. Comments suggest alternatives such as contacting a doctor in Bangkok for a consultation via video call or having a GP sign the required form without extensive testing. Experiences shared indicate that some find this documentation process costly in the US, while others have managed it at no cost or for a low fee through their local GPs. Some also recommend considering different visa types.
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Doctor will see it, they will laugh, say ummm can’t test for that…and so on.
Most expensive part for me was a vaccine that insurance did not cover for $357. That was the worst of it.
Steve ********
I've heard in the US this simple form costs heaps. Can't your own GP do it? In Australia it costs nothing as your GP already knows your medical history without having to do tests
it might cost nothing in Australia, but then, it could cost about $AU40. As the Medical System in Australia has become fairly overloaded in the past year, GP's apparently underpaid & a big shortage of them, they may consider it a 'non-standard' consultation, not bulk-billable and a way to earn a few extra dollars. The 'system' would determine that though. I'm not saying that's right, but a possibility in my mind.
That depends on your doctor surely? My GP has done it twice for me at no cost. I guess it depends on doctor-patient relationship. The point is I understand some US doctors charge hundreds of dollars to carry out meaningless tests
I understand the point about the USA, a very different system to Australia. Billing in Australia may depend on the doctor and your relationship with them (if you see the same doctor, or go to the same Medical Centre all the time). The Medicare System does have rules, or maybe in some instances, guidelines as to what they can or should charge for the various services.
correct, but will all GP's bulk bill for something like this, which perhaps isn't a standard consultation for a current illness or injury? Just a thought, I'm not looking for a debate or argument...as I said in my first response to you, just a possibility and not saying I'm right. I'm just basing my thoughts on knowing that Medicare has a table of charges that doctors (GP's at least) have to either abide by or use as guidelines.
Correct. And one of those is a simple medical consultation. In my case I'd say it was bulk-billed because I didn't pay a single cent for it. So I guess that sums it up
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Steve ********
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Martin *********
You don’t have a local doctor ? .. he knows your record and sign off no problem.. I did mine in the uk 10 years ago , £40 .
attempted that last year but the embassy in DC rejected it. Emailed me that the medication cert must be done at a dr here in the usa. Maybe you’ll have better luck.
I don’t have medical insurance so my options were limited since doctors here are so afraid of malpractice . Ended up going to an ID (infectious disease) specialist. I walked in the office with the form l, explained it to the receptionist who checked with the doctors to see if one was willing to examine me and fill it out. Cost $75 for the brief appt.
A comprehensive bloodwork and physical isn’t required. Only those 5 particular illnesses. Can get a syphilis test at a free clinic and the others are simple for an infectious disease specialist to rule out.
I’d look up an infectious disease practice with several doctors working there and come in with the form.