Frequently Asked Questions

Refugee Health services are provided to individuals with refugee, asylee or parolee status, who have recently relocated to the United States and are living in Orange County. Certain other groups are also eligible for these special “Refugee” health services, including Amerasians, Cuban/Haitian entrants, victims of severe forms of trafficking, and individuals with special immigrant visas from Iraq and Afghanistan.

As directed by the North Carolina Refugee Health Program, the Health Department provides a refugee health assessment which includes:

• Appropriate follow-up
• Communicable disease screening
• Immunizations
• Lead testing for children (ages 12 months to 16 years old)
• Referral for a physical exam

This assessment is to be performed within 30 days of the person's arrival in the country. The Health Department is also a designated Civil Surgeon for refugee immunizations only. Refugees seeking assistance with their I-693 form need to schedule an appointment. View I-693 appointment and civil surgeon information in the following languages:

• Arabic (PDF)
• Burmese (PDF)
• English (PDF)
• Karen (PDF)
• Kinyarwanda (PDF)

Most of these services are covered by Medicaid and / or Refugee Medical Assistance, and are free to the covered individual. There may be costs associated with some services such as the I-693 and some immunizations.

Interpreters are utilized as needed. All visits are by appointment and are usually conducted at the Chapel Hill office of the Orange County Health Department. For an appointment, call 919-245-2400. For more information, ask for the Refugee Health Nurse or the Immigrant and Refugee Health Program Manager.