I need a medical, but cannot afford one!

robb2002 · 3 March 2006 at 9:03PM

Hi all, well where do I start with this one? I applied to go on a working holiday to America and as part of that I have to have all of my medical background checked out. I am fine, there is nothing wrong there, I have had all of the immunizations that are required of me; however I have got to have a medical. At first I just thought that the doctor would be able to fill in the parts that she knew and put nothing for the parts that have not been examined. However I have been told that I need a medical and I can't get one on the NHS as they don't do them. :mad:

I have been quoted £130 for this medical and in my opinion I think that is pretty steep. Private is one way (the only way) I could have this done yet I can't afford it.

Does anybody know how I could get a medical at a reduced rate as I think that this is ridiculous, and if so, where?

Thanks
Robb

gh38 · 3 March 2006 at 9:32PM

Robb,
Is the medical required for your Visa? If so then I think that the US Embassy in London insists on medicals being performed by specific doctors and that they don't accept them from anyone else. Did they send you a list of places that you could go to? If so, I'm afraid that it will have to be one of these and nowhere else. There will also be no way around paying the fees. Sorry.
Gill

robb2002 · 3 March 2006 at 10:14PM

It is just a medical for my insurance for going to America, just to see that I will be able to cope with strain of workingin such a busy environment. I don't think that it has anything to do with the US Embassy, the woman even said that if the doctor says that I am HEALTHY and able to go that will be ok, but the doctor is refusing.
I really don't know what to do :mad:

Robb

jonesMUFCforever · 3 March 2006 at 11:50PM

Perhaps the doctor knows something and is not telling you!

gh38 · 4 March 2006 at 6:19AM

Hi
Robb. I'm afraid I can't help you any further. My own GP charges for things like this, but I've never needed this kind of thing done so I wouldn't know where else to go. I hope someone else can come along and offer some advice. Sorry.
Gill

buglawton · 4 March 2006 at 9:28AM

Some private hospital should start offering free medicals in exchange for a few blood donations.

Glad · 4 March 2006 at 2:25PM

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [email="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]!!!!!![/email].

robb2002 · 16 March 2006 at 7:10PM

Anymore help would be appreciated!

kar · 22 March 2006 at 1:52PM

Am I correct in saying that the insurance company want this done - if so speak to them about a recommendation for a Dr or get them to explain exactly what they want. The £130 sounds like a BUPA wellman check or similar and I don't think that is what you are after at all.

My suggestion would be to see another GP in the practice.

However it is very important you get the exact details of what is required first. It may be that what you are describing to GP is putting him off because you are making it sound more than it is. Are you telling him you "need a medical" or are you saying "I'm going on a working holiday and i need a letter saying I'm generally fit and healthy and have no ongoing medical conditions" ?- the first is likely to get a negative response the second a charge of approx £30.

kar

Blahblahblah_2 · 22 March 2006 at 9:38PM

Hey!

Not sure if its the same situation with American visas but I needed a medical for a Australian visa application last year. The Australian embassy website had a big list of local GPs who were licenced to do them and I called round all the ones in my area to get the best price - the prices varied hugely between practices. Think I got quoted £90 by one practice but actually got it for £25 in the end after a bit of negotiation. I also needed a chest xray as I was going to be working in a hospital and prices were really varied for that too (only £10 in the end). Well worth calling around and doing a bit of haggling anyway!

Hope thats useful

robb2002 · 6 May 2006 at 8:08PM

Well I have some good news. Apparently it was his secretary that said that and not him, so I have got to take the form to him now and he will quote me. He said there's no way it would be £100. I did say that I needed a madical, lol. I know better now.
Thanks for your help.
Rob

I need a medical, but cannot afford one!

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