Why Language Access Matters at Your Medical Exam

The immigration medical examination involves a detailed review of your medical history, a physical examination, and a discussion of any required vaccinations or follow-up tests. All of these steps require clear, accurate communication between you and the civil surgeon. If English is not your primary language, even small misunderstandings can lead to incomplete medical history documentation or confusion about next steps.

Bringing an interpreter ensures that you can fully participate in your own examination. You will be able to accurately describe your medical history, understand the civil surgeon's findings, and ask questions about the process. This leads to a more thorough examination and a more accurate Form I-693.

How an Interpreter Helps With Medical History

One of the most important parts of the immigration medical examination is the medical history review. The civil surgeon will ask about past illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations, mental health history, substance use, and vaccination history. Providing accurate answers to these questions is critical — incomplete or inaccurate medical history can affect the outcome of your examination.

An interpreter helps you communicate nuanced medical information that may be difficult to express in a second language. Medical terminology, descriptions of symptoms, and discussions of sensitive health topics are all easier to convey accurately in your native language. Your interpreter can help bridge the gap between your experience and the civil surgeon's documentation.

If you have a complex medical history — such as a history of tuberculosis treatment, a chronic condition, or a prior mental health diagnosis — having an interpreter present is especially valuable. These topics require precise communication to ensure the civil surgeon has a complete and accurate picture of your health.

What the Civil Surgeon Needs to Communicate to You

The civil surgeon also needs to communicate important information to you during the examination. This includes explaining the purpose of each test, describing any findings, discussing required vaccinations, and explaining what happens next with your Form I-693. If you cannot understand this information clearly, you may leave your appointment confused about your results or next steps.

An interpreter ensures that you receive and understand all of this information in your native language. This is particularly important when the civil surgeon needs to discuss a positive TB test result, a required follow-up appointment, or a vaccination that needs to be completed before your Form I-693 can be finalized.

Professional vs. Family Interpreter

Both professional interpreters and bilingual family members or friends are acceptable at the immigration medical examination. Each option has advantages and considerations.

A professional medical interpreter has training in medical terminology and is experienced in maintaining accuracy and neutrality. They are less likely to inadvertently summarize, omit, or editorialize when translating. If you have a complex medical history or anticipate sensitive discussions, a professional interpreter may be the better choice.

A bilingual family member or friend can also serve as an interpreter and may be more comfortable for you personally. However, keep in mind that family members may sometimes soften or alter translations out of concern for your feelings, or may not know the correct medical terminology. If you use a family member as an interpreter, encourage them to translate as literally and completely as possible.

Notifying Our Office in Advance

If you plan to bring an interpreter, we encourage you to let our office know in advance when you schedule or confirm your appointment. This allows our staff to prepare for the appointment and ensure that the examination room can comfortably accommodate an additional person.

Notifying us in advance also gives us the opportunity to let you know if any of our staff members speak your language. Our team speaks several languages and may be able to assist with basic communication, though we still recommend bringing a dedicated interpreter if you are not comfortable communicating in English for a full medical examination.