Quick takeaway
- The applicant completes the identifying information USCIS assigns to the applicant.
- A USCIS-designated civil surgeon performs and certifies the immigration medical examination.
- Office staff can assist with preparation, but final medical certification belongs to the civil surgeon.
For a Windows workflow related to this topic, see I-693 Medical Exam Software. You can also return to the MedClaimSoftware home page for the complete software lineup and free trials.
Form I-693 is not simply a patient questionnaire. Different parts of the workflow belong to different people, and the medical office benefits from keeping those responsibilities clear.
The applicant's role
The applicant provides the biographic and identifying information requested by the form and should follow the current USCIS instructions regarding when and how to sign. Offices should avoid pre-filling information from assumptions when the applicant can verify it directly.
The civil surgeon's role
The immigration medical examination must be performed by a physician designated by USCIS as a civil surgeon, subject to the applicable USCIS rules. The civil surgeon documents the medical examination, reviews vaccination requirements, and completes the medical certification.
How office staff can help
Medical assistants and administrative staff can help collect records, enter verified data, organize vaccine documentation, and prepare the form for the civil surgeon's review. A good office workflow keeps the civil surgeon's certification step distinct from routine data entry.
Use a final review step
Before the form is finalized, compare the entered information with the applicant's records and the current USCIS instructions. This catches mismatched names, dates, identification numbers, and incomplete medical sections before the paperwork leaves the office.
Keep the workflow current
Government forms and instructions can change. Before a form is finalized, compare the saved record with the current official instructions and requirements that apply to the case. Software can make data entry, saving, retrieval, and printing more consistent, but it does not replace the agency's filing rules.