mamatukwas you get mind o * grabs popcorn, ready to read the remaining part*

[quote author=Mamatukwas post=65279880]Hi People,

Finally Got into Chicago few days back... Yup used thier POE

PART 2:

CBP: Show me proof that you pay your bills. Me- Brings out reciept for 1st 2 payments...

CBP: After going tru my 1st child's own, I see you paid $9k+ to the hospital but the itemized bill shows a total of $16k. What happened to the rest?

Me: It's the discount they gave me as a cash paying patient. CBP: Cash paying? I don't know what that means. Me: means I don't have insurance.

CBP: Calls his neighbor, that one agrees with him that it doesn't add up. Someone else must have paid.

Neigbour: Infact your zero balance letter just says paid in full, it doesn't say who paid. How do we know it's you?

Me: Huh I just smiled some more and said pls method of payment is at the back- Cash and cards. Abi that one no do! Neigbour CBP walks away. His work too was done.

Me: I quietly bring out the rest of my receipts and continue showing him.. doctor, epi, pediatrician paid in full.

CBP: Ok but I still don't get this discount. Calls the hospital... After a while someone picks and tells him that financial dept has closed oh, no one to attend to him. ME: I said must be because of the time (The guy just said he knows) but it doesn't favor me. Me: In my head Yimu!

CBP: Which other receipts do you have: Bring out all for child 2 and state that My hospital bill is remaining $1k plus dollars to finish paying. I'm doing payment plan. CBP: Shakes head like this one is not serious hehehe!! So where is the receipt for the one you've paid?

Me: Show him all receipts I had for child 2 (other services) and says that they can't give me a reciept for my hospital till I'm done paying however I've printed my BOA statement showing Monthly payment plus Initial cash reciept/deposit I had.

CBP: It's not my job to go through your statements, you should come ready to show me proof of payment.

Me: In my mind but that's what I have, Abi I should forge documents I sha keep quiet.

CBP: Ma'am I don't think you came ready today. I'm Not convinced.

Me: Well, I can only say what I know. I've always been upfront. I pay all my bills and I have no intention of owing. Can't say anything else other than that.

CBP: Shakes head, and says he's coming. I go back, commit every to Gods hands and again face CNN.

CBP comes back after 5 mins: Stamps my passport and tells me to go. Me: Thank you very much and I stroll out.

Things i noticed: That secondary inspection is mostly psychological at least at Chicago.. They kept harassing one Naija Man and he was doing well until they told him to bring his phone for search; suddenly the guy became nervous and I heard them jubilating that he was breaking

Another middle eastern couple made the unfortunate mistake of lying (separately oh) that the wife was not pregnant. They told them to bring all their bags and found proof showing otherwise. If you see the way they were shouting 'You're liars! You're going home tonight! Latest tomorrow! You have enough luggage for one year! You plan to stay back here! Liars!! Oh boy, inwasbsorry for them. No one advised them. Plenty people there were asked to bring all their luggage for search.

They Also asked me if I had an appointment and a return ticket and I said yes to both questions.

Honestly I was calm throughout and answered very calmly because I had made up my mind that:
1. It was not a do or die affair, even at that I was going to cross coz Gods hand dey d matter.

2. I was truthful and kept things simple. I can only defend the truth so while you can harass me for not being better prepared according to your standards, you can't harass me for fibs.

3. Don't do Chicago POE if you are not well prepared and have mind. Me I had the mind but if you know you crack under small pressure abeg waka pass mbok!

4. CBP's are not predictable in their pattern of questioning and they might tag team with others to try and harass you. They ended up not even confirming the said cash we came to count sef smh.. it was just to see if any part of my story will/had changed.

Finally, the biggest weapon you have on this journey is the truth. It will indeed make you free. I'm currently chilling in my accommodation, counting down to baby

Please does anyone know who can cater/deliver bowls of Nigerian food to me in this Town? I'm wakaing solo and trying to be ready for when baby comes. Please if you have any good contact let me know, before hunger finishes me!

All the best to all those still on thier way and may it end in praise! Ciao!!

Dear Good People,

Please can my wife use visiting visa for birthing having used it for its original purpose

feddy27:
mamatukwas you get mind o * grabs popcorn, ready to read the remaining part*

Oh boy no be small tin oh! But we thank God all ended well

Hello Ma, could u mail me Dr F's email adsdress. i need to send him a mail, been trying so hard to get it but cant. i'll really appreciate.thanks

Deemama18:
Good morning. Please help. Am also looking at Houston. Could you pls send hospital name, contact and possibly fees. Thanks
Cicidoyin@gmail.com

Went 4 my first appointment yesterday with Dr. F, Paid my OB/GYN fee, did several test with scan & was schedule for next week 4 second appointment.

Hello everyone. Please I have a question. I have a medical visa to birth my baby in April alongside my mom.
My husband plans to come around in May. Please is it advisable for him to apply for a visiting visa while I am still in Nigeria or should he wait till I arrive the US in April.
Thanks.

Mamatukwas:


Oh boy no be small tin oh! But we thank God all ended well

this is the ultimate o... I rejoice with you jare

semilore12:
Thanks to everyone that has answered my questions. God bless you all.
Please any fresh POExperience at Washington dulles airport. Biko help oh

Pls can you send me your email, I have also sent you a PM

Mamatukwas:
Hi People,

Finally Got into Chicago few days back... Yup used thier POE

1st thing... Didn't have a new doctors report since when I flew into U.K. Early February, so just wore a Big coat and prayed that nobody at the BA desk will ask me for Fit to Fly and fortunately they didn't.

Flew Heathrow to Chicago.. Got in by evening...very short line:

CBP: Hi. Passport pls. What are you hear for?
Me: Maternity Leave. I'm having my baby.
CBP: Oh. Do you have other kids? (As if e no dey see am for system )
Me: Yes.
CBP: How Much did you come with today?
Me: $5,500 and I have my cards
CBP: Which hospital are you considering using?
Me: Currently, John H.S.
CBP: Well it's not a crime to give birth in the US. But we will need to confirm the cash. Come with me... na so she carry me go secondary inspection... Oh boy it was like a parry ova dia
The place was full with all shapes, Colours, sexes, nations, religions and sizes...

One black boy sitting next to me was shaking like who was waiting for his flight home ... I sha sat down, commited every into God's hands and faces CNN. After about 40 mins they called me.

CBP: Do you know the rules about giving birth in the US?
Me: (Ha I tot we came to confirm cash ) I said yes.. Pay all your bills, no tax payers money. The guy said and? Me: That's all I know.
CBP: You don't know all the rules, let me go and get them... na so e waka go print am show.
CBP: Do you have insurance covering giving birth in America? Me: No I do not.
CBP: You are supposed to have! What if something happens to you or the baby that requires $100k to fix?? Are you telling me you will pay? Me: My understanding is that no matter how much your bill is be ready to pay. Worst case set up a payment plan but pay cash. CBP: Shakes head. Lol

CBP: Do you know what medicare is? Me: I have an idea. His Neighbour CBP: Said nope, you know, because you researched it and plan to use it. Me: I just started smiling really wide and said HOw? Neighbour CBP: Waka commot (His work there was done)

CBP: Looks at list- Do you have a referral for medical treatment here from a doctor in Nigeria? Me: No. CBP: Your supposed to have. Me: I don't have and then I keep quiet.

CBP: I see you've had 2 other kids in the US, so you just normally come to have your babies and go? Why the US?

Me: As I stated before (coz they had asked me this question when I came earlier in OCT) I have a condition called preeclampsia with all my kids, after loosing my 2 1st pregnancies my husband and I decided to go for better medical care... (wanted to add that US also gives dual citizenship but the guy had moved on)

CBP: So how much do you have with you today
ME: $5,500
CBP: That won't be enough for childbirth in the Us. Have you paid any medical bills prior to now? Me: No, however I was told when I visited the hospital that my bill would start from 5k up as a base figure. I and my husband work so sending me additional funds won't be an issue.
CBP: Which hospital told you 5k is the base fee:
ME: J.H.S
CBP: That's a terrible hospital! Why would you come all the way to use me J.H.S?
Me: Really? It's terrible? That's not what I heard? Anyway when I came in October it was the one that was most easily accessible.
CBP: Said no it wasn't, you must have researched it. ME: I kept quiet coz what he said was true about the research.
CBP: You are supposed to have all the cash for your medical treatment now... you are not ready. How do we know you can afford it.
ME: I've paid in full for accommodation, as I said this is just starter park funds, I've had 2 kids here and have always paid my bills.
CBP: Show me proof that you pay your bills. Me- Brings out reciept for 1st 2 payments...

Kai my hand is paining me.. Let me rest small and come back for part 2. Someone send me Ayamase and very white rice in the mean time.. ayam hungry. Kilzes.
P.S- Forgive any typos.

Hian! You go fear grilling na. Na wa o. I like how you were not over talking and very direct.

Hello, Please may i know the hospital that quoted 6k for you ? Thank you.

yugotee:
Hello house,

I need your professional input on this. I applied for a student visa sometime in 2005 for my Masters but was denied twice one for Fall term and the other for Spring term. In fact I lost interest in anything traveling out and started my hustles in Naija. I got married in 2012 and my marriage has been blessed all around with two wonderful kids (a boy and a girl).

There has been quantum leap in my finance as I not only manage 3 hotels, I consult for several other hotels and currently co-own a company which is just two years old but doing so well financially. Wifey who is a nurse recently took in for our 3rd baby and we are considering having the baby in US. I've been following this thread and I've been encouraged by the positives and challenged by the negatives on getting a US B1/B2 Visa.

We are considering going for an interview as a family by March ending or first week of April and would need all the encouragement to proceed. While wifey will be going for the medical visa, my kids and I will go for the tourist visa (Note: this is our first travel out of Naija as our vacation has always been in Naija or Ghana). I'll be sponsoring this and have enough financial backing (Bank statement plus fixed deposit). Wifey's aunt in Texas, US wants to provide accommodation and has made arrangements with a doctor in a hospital with a total package not more than 6k for either cs or vag.

Wifey will travel first with my last baby while I intend to meet up with them together with my son close to her EDD as my job is really very demanding. What is your take on this and what chances do we have to get the visa as a family.

I will appreciate some constructive and objective response from the experts in the house. Is there something we can do differently?

Thank you guys...

please i need help with accomodation in LA,am using DR M,the agent i got for accomodation isnt forth coming he is not taking his calls or replying mails either,i need to finalize with my arrangements,leaving naija next month

Let her stick to the one she has always use to travel. They have it in their system,my mom almost had the same problem and it almost caused a problem for her. After they had issued her visa,they sent her a message that she need to come for follow up and it was just the age that was the problem. She clarified it by saying she didn't fill the form herself but me and the V.o said No problem that they just needed to clarify her age on their system. She was issued after 3days.
Let her stick to the one in her passport and if they ask her question concerning it let her answer that the error was from you. Not a big deal
[qqquote author=cindermum post=65226551]Hi All,

Please I need your advice. I made a mistake on my mum's DOB when I applied and now I want to apply for her to enable her assist me during my stay in d US . She has been to America a couple of times but not in the past 12yrs with her correct DOB. Now I have to give her my own visa page which would reflect when the consular checks that the DOB on her passport is diff from what I put down. What can I do please?

Thank uuuuuu [/quote]

[quote author=Mamatukwas post=65282844][/quote]

Mamatukwas!!! ....the Chicago conqueror.

Congrats! All the best with baby 3.

Mamatukwas:


Oh boy no be small tin oh! But we thank God all ended well

I comot cap for you o .... this kind grilling can crack fbi sef... haba.... please o chigago peeps,this stress isn't worth it biko, use a different poe! I cant shout!

MSOEO:
.........xxxxxx
I want to have my baby in Brooklyn. I wanted to use Kings County but they have now said just for in patient bill i may pay up to $25,000 for a vaginal delivery!. This is minus doctors appointments, lab work, even sonogram they said its $2,000.

Can anyone please advise on any reasonably priced hospitals to give birth in Brooklyn.
Thank you so much.

cindermum:

Hello

Hospitals r expensive in newyork but contact @ewa2014 .........xxxxxx

Or

Ask @mamaron she once talked about mount Sinai hospital. She said they have several branches depending on your exact location in NYC.

There is a mount sinai hospital in brooklyn. Not sure I'm allowed to paste the web link...please google it....PS: as @cindermum said N.Y. is an expensive state.

Please which laboratory test should I do in Nigeria before leaving to reduce cost. Thanks for response.

happyme31:
Hello everyone. Please I have a question. I have a medical visa to birth my baby in April alongside my mom.
My husband plans to come around in May. Please is it advisable for him to apply for a visiting visa while I am still in Nigeria or should he wait till I arrive the US in April.
Thanks.

he should apply right away. May will soon be here.

mamaron:


Mamatukwas!!! ....the Chicago conqueror.

Congrats! All the best with baby 3.

Lol, Thanks dear.

Ojugunrege:

he should apply right away. May will soon be here.

Thank you.

Lorit:

Pls can you send me your email, I have also sent you a PM

bajiod1@yahoo.com

[quote author=temyb post=65288727]

@ Temyb Thank you so much for your response. It is well appreciated.

Hello house, an agent made a mistake filling married. I'm separated from my ex for years now and the case is still in court but i'm pregnant for some one else. And he is the one sponsoring my trip to birth in the US. What do i do as an interview date has been given and i can't have a court wedding while i'm still going through divorce process. So what do i do please?

Hi house, please how soon can my DH book appt for notarized consent.
Edd is mid March .
Although, he went for visa interview last week but was denied, wants to reapply but available interview date is April 11 and that’s after my Edd.

Ddy2013:
Hello house, an agent made a mistake filling married. I'm separated from my ex for years now and the case is still in court but i'm pregnant for some one else. And he is the one sponsoring my trip to birth in the US. What do i do as an interview date has been given and i can't have a court wedding while i'm still going through divorce process. So what do i do please?

I don't know if this applies to your situation,but I've heard people say here that you can fill another ds160 form and call the embassy to swap it with the 1st one you filled.
Its because of issues like these and others that you are adviced to stay away from agents.

aremso:
Dear Good People,

Please can my wife use visiting visa for birthing having used it for its original purpose

Yes she can,but you have to read up here to find out all other additional info you'll need.

daks01:
So missionary journey finally complete (I already posted my POE story). Been wanting to post this but I kept postponing.

So I gave birth to my beautiful baby girl in nov in Colorado. Hospital costs:
2day vaginal delivery stay: 2300
Doctor: 2190 (but I got refunded 230 for some reason, no complaints here!)
For anesthetiser awon oloriburuku people. I didn’t take epidural o! During labour one of the nurses offered me Nitrus oxide to help with the pain and I said fine, I was even pretty out of it sef cos I can’t remember. Apparently the anestheologist came in for like 5mins and left. Only for me to get a bill from them like three weeks after of $2000!! If I took epidural at least I will know I gained something, nitrus oxide didn’t even do anything. I still felt all the pain. Anyways I fought well and btw guys most hospitals have patient care representatives they help with any issues you might have especially billing problems with external specialists. Try and find their details cos it was the babe that helped me cos she knew one of the doctors in the anestheologists’ office. I eventually paid $600 After plenty fight!
Before delivery I got admitted for high bp monitoring, got charged $535 after plenty haggling.
Tests: $500 ish

Got social security no three weeks after, applied for expited passport ($165)in Philly and got it same day. Applied for visa on arrival and got a response two days later. Paid $280 for baby’s Ticket for virgin atlantic, also apparently it was cheaper for me to get it there than in Naija.

I’m so thankful for this forum cos I got all the info I needed here.

Welcome back ma'am. Can you share the hospital and doctor name you used in Denver? Our first baby was had at MoBap in 2014 and I spent about $7k, now it's about $15k and that's crazy.

I need to compare cost right now, wife is due in Oct but will be leaving in August.

Hi bidrozey am lookn to visit family in NJ befr takn off to texas.Pls how was ur POE experience? where u sent to secondary? Agric nko pls..did they seize anythg? kindly share cos Newark is my POE too.thanks

bidrozey:

Am in Philadelphia but came in thro Newark Airport which seems OK. Which hospital do you plan using in Philly?

Ojugunrege:
A few notes from me:

Like some people already mentioned in here. It is better to do your own research and find out information concerning hospitals, doctors and any other thing you want more clarity on. Do not just rely on hand-outs. I contacted 2 hospitals. I screened the OB/GYN doctors from those 2 hospitals to about 10 (using years of experience, their online reviews, etc. – Healthgrade was quite helpful) and began to contact them one after the other. The person whose correspondence I printed and took to the Embassy today was Dr. F. Meanwhile, his reviews here on NL were poor. They were also about average on Healthgrade. I contacted him out of curiosity. Also, I noted that he has set up a Centre where 2 of my preferred Doctors work with him. He replied personally and promptly. He answered all follow-up questions quite promptly too. The correspondence with him was polite, smooth, welcoming and showed acceptance.

Doctor D. that I really wanted to use would not accept an International patient until they have a visa. She however says I can make an appointment as soon as I arrive in Houston.

Dr. W. wanted me to pay the full Obstetrician fee to secure an appointment. Can u beat that? Meanwhile, her reviews on Healthgrade were just average. Nobody taught me to halt correspondence with her!

Doctor L. needed me to pay some deposit before I could get a letter for the Embassy which i didn’t mind paying but overall he was quite pricey. So, I knew I wasn’t going to use him on the long run – so, why lose my deposit?

Doctor B. also wanted deposit and gave a number to call to make the deposit. Only God knows how many times I called the number. Once the number gets picked & I tell them what I wanted, they transfer me to some other number and then it enters voicemail.
Note that Doctors D., L., and B. has very fantastic reviews on Healthgrade (none less than 4.8/5) and they all communicated through their office managers.

How about the other ones who never picked their calls nor replied mails?
So, eventually the correspondence between all of them were not useable!

I already told Dr. F. the Doctor on his team that I want. I hope he obliges me. If not, I move on to Dr. D. At least, I have my Visa now.

The real preparation begins!!!!!!

Hi pls can i get Dr D and Dr F email address from you. i have searched online and have been unable to find it

First go back to the site with the details of the current form and cancel it then Fill a new form and go to your portal to insert the new number. All this you can do latest 2 days to your interview date.
That's all no need to call anybody

Ddy2013:
Hello house, an agent made a mistake filling married. I'm separated from my ex for years now and the case is still in court but i'm pregnant for some one else. And he is the one sponsoring my trip to birth in the US. What do i do as an interview date has been given and i can't have a court wedding while i'm still going through divorce process. So what do i do please?

Good morning everyone.

Please I will like to know if a telephone correspondence with my doctor is enough evidence at POE? I do not have any email from the hospital and Dr. E is very busy to send me an email before my trip.

Thank you in advance and I hope to meet with any Dallas bound mama for 2nd week in March

Please, Please, Abeg, Biko, Joor. If you are still here in Naija without the e-mail correspondence, I strongly advice that you get it sorted out before you board your flight, in your own interest.

valeria:
Good morning everyone.

Please I will like to know if a telephone correspondence with my doctor is enough evidence at POE? I do not have any email from the hospital and Dr. E is very busy to send me an email before my trip.

Thank you in advance and I hope to meet with any Dallas bound mama for 2nd week in March