INS

Please scroll down for information on travel medicine. Information on immigration follows immediately.

As a service to the community, Dr. Brozowski performs immigration examinations for those seeking an adjustment of status. Dr. Brozowski is an approved Civil Surgeon for the U.S. Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service (now the UCSIC), and is authorized to complete both the Medical I-693 Form and Supplemental to I-693. She also has personal experience dealing with the immigration office, as her husband is a foreigner who underwent immigration proceedings.

Our office has extensive experience in completing INS examinations, and our goal is to help you gain acceptance upon your first submission of paperwork to the government. Outlined below are the general requirements for the I-693 and Supplemental. Our office does not accept insurance for UCSIC/INS medical exams. However, we will provide you with an itemized medical bill for your records or for your employer or insurance, if applicable.

To expedite the INS exam process, schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Brozowski. She will review your health history and advise you what vaccinations you need, and order the appropriate bloodwork and do a PPD skin test or order radiography. You will return to our office after you have completed the bloodwork at the laboratory. At that time, Dr. Brozowski will perform a final examination, review your documentation and complete the forms for the government. The cost for these visits is $350.

If you have more time, and are more cost-conscious, you may first schedule an appointment with your Primary Care Physician to perform the bloodwork, vaccinations and PPD skin test (thus bypassing the initial consultation) and schedule only the INS physical examination with our office for a total cost of $215. Please be advised that if any of your documentation is missing, or your bloodwork/ vaccinations are not current, you will be sent out to complete them, and then need to return to the office for a subsequent INS appointment.

After the examination, for continued medical care, routine exams or illnesses, please follow-up with your Primary Care Physician.

In order for Dr. Brozowski to complete these INS forms, the following paperwork, lab tests and vaccinations are required:

Immunization and laboratory tests are different for children. Please schedule a consultation for children.

Please remember to bring your passport to your office visit. Also, be aware that our office is small and we can only accommodate an individual applicant for each appointment in our office. Do not bring small children or other family members with you to your appointment. Should you require a translator, you may bring one adult translator with you. All documents should be in English. If they are not, it is the applicant responsibility to provide a certified translation.

As a service to the community, we offer comprehensive health services to help you prepare for your travels, including travel vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis. All travel visits require an initial consultation fee for immunization evaluation and travel advice, above which you will only pay for vaccines as they are given. We are unable to administer any vaccines without an initial consultation with the doctor. Our consultation fee is $95. Please be aware that we do not bill insurance for travel vaccines. All immunizations must be paid for at the time of service. We will be happy to provide you with a receipt that you may submit to your insurance company or employer if applicable.

Travel Medicine is a non-traditional medical specialty which has evolved over the last decade in response to a growing demand for information by prospective travelers. Recent studies indicate that 20-70% of people report some health problems while traveling. Dr. Brozowski has specialty training in Travel Medicine and is a member of the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM).

travel tips

Water:  Water quality varies from country to country.   In developing countries, it is best not to drink tap water.  Use bottled water or water that has been boiled.  Avoid ice in drinks.  Don't assume that water is safe because it is chlorinated.  Finally, remember to brush your teeth with purified water.

Food:  It is a good policy to eat only foods that are well cooked and served hot.   Don't eat food from street vendors, buffet foods, or unpasturized dairy products.  Never eat raw shellfish.  Avoid raw fruits and vegetables unless you peel them yourself.   Be wary of ice cream that may have been made or stored in contaminated containers.   Wash hands frequently, especially when handling food and when in public areas or in contact with local residents.

Sleep and Jet Lag:  Keep your sleeping habits as normal as possible.   Long distance travel by airplane can disrupt your natural body rhythms, especially sleeping and eating habits.  Sleep on the plane if possible, and take a short nap once you arrive.   The air on planes is dry, so you should drink lots of nonalcoholic fluids.  Avoid alcohol and coffee as they will dehydrate you more.  Some patients prefer to take melatonin with them to help regulate their diurnal schedules once they arrive at their destination.

Insects:  Travel to tropical climates means contact with a variety of insects capable of transmitting infectious diseases.  Mosquitoes can transit yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, dengue fever and malaria.  Be sure to receive travel immunizations and medication if traveling outside of the USA.  Limit outdoor activity between dusk and dawn to reduce the risk of malaria and Japanese encephalitis.  Use a good insect repellent containing DEET, and wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts and pants whenever possible.   You should also treat your clothing with PERMETHRIN before you travel, and can use coils containing pyrethrum to kill insects in your sleeping quarters.

Altitude Sickness:  Altitude Sickness occurs on ascent, not descent, therefore, ascend slowly to give your body time to accustom to oxygen concentration changes.   Keep daily altitude gain around 1,000 feet (300 meters) if possible.   While you can exceed 1,000 feet during a day's climb, descend to sleep at an altitude that is no more than 1,000 feet above the previous night's if possible.  To counteract altitude sickness, increase your fluid intake and avoid alcohol and coffee.  For mild symptoms, you may try acetaminophen.

Swimming:  Limit swimming to chlorinated pools and unpolluted ocean beaches away from the mouths of streams.  Avoid slow-moving freshwater lakes and tropical rivers, as they may contain snails and parasites that transmit diseases.  Wear footwear at all times, and bring blankets to sit on when chairs are not available.