Why Attorney Vetting Matters

When an immigration attorney refers a client to a civil surgeon, that referral reflects on the attorney's practice. A civil surgeon who produces inaccurate Form I-693 submissions, misses deadlines, or fails to communicate with the attorney can damage the client's case and the attorney's relationship with the client.

Vetting civil surgeons before making referrals is a professional responsibility that protects clients and the attorney's reputation.

Key Questions for Attorneys to Ask

Ask these questions when evaluating a civil surgeon for client referrals.

• 1. What is your RFE rate for completed Form I-693 submissions?
• 2. How do you communicate with referring attorneys about client cases?
• 3. Do you offer priority scheduling for attorney-referred clients with urgent timelines?
• 4. How do you handle abnormal findings — do you notify the attorney as well as the client?
• 5. What documentation do you provide to attorneys for their case files?
• 6. Do you have experience with waiver cases involving inadmissible conditions?
• 7. How do you handle RFEs when they occur — do you work with the attorney to respond?
• 8. What is your standard turnaround time, and do you offer expedited processing?

Attorney Communication Protocols

A civil surgeon who works regularly with immigration attorneys understands the importance of timely communication. They should have a clear protocol for notifying attorneys when a client's exam is complete, when results are received, and when any issues arise that may affect the case.

Ask whether the civil surgeon will communicate directly with your office and what information they can share under HIPAA with a properly executed authorization.

Priority Scheduling for Attorney Clients

Immigration cases often have time-sensitive deadlines — USCIS interview dates, filing windows, and court dates. A civil surgeon who offers priority scheduling for attorney-referred clients can be a valuable partner when timelines are tight.

Ask whether priority scheduling is available, what the lead time is, and whether expedited processing is offered for urgent cases.

Waiver Process Experience

Some clients have medical histories that may require a waiver of inadmissibility. A civil surgeon with experience in waiver cases understands how to document findings in a way that supports the waiver application. Ask whether the civil surgeon has experience with waiver cases and how they approach documentation for complex medical histories.