The Minnesota Refugee Health Assessment
The Minnesota Refugee Health Program (MRHP) serves people eligible for Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) benefits including refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, certified victims of human trafficking, Amerasians, and humanitarian parolees eligible for ORR benefits. Refer to About: Who we serve for more information. Because these groups are eligible for benefits to the same extent as refugees, we collectively refer to these populations as “refugees.”
The Federal Refugee Act of 1980 directs every state to offer a Refugee Health Assessment (also known as the Domestic Medical Exam/Screening or DME) to newly arrived refugees. In Minnesota, the state strongly recommends this exam and has a successful screening rate of 95–99%. In collaboration with local health departments and health care providers, the MRHP oversees the administration of the Refugee Health Assessment and follow-up process. The goal of this health assessment is to identify and treat health problems which may affect successful resettlement, including the ability to work, attend classes, and/or access the health care system. The health assessment protects the health of the newcomers and Minnesota’s public through disease diagnosis and treatment. Further, this organized statewide screening process allows for the collection of data used to estimate trends in diseases, set policy, and offer increased services for newcomers.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Refugee Health Assessment
What is a Refugee Health Assessment?
The Refugee Health Assessment is a special health exam for people who have recently come to the U.S. The MRHP trains the health care providers who do these clinic visits to provide the best care possible to newcomers to the country. The exam normally takes 1-2 visits, and newcomers receive a full check-up and can get medication refills. The health care provider will also help newcomers connect with a primary doctor and specialists.
How is a Refugee Health Assessment different from other medical visits?
A Refugee Health Assessment involves many things that are not usually done by health care providers during normal clinic visits. This includes testing for and treating illnesses that are more common in different countries and reviewing immunization and medical records from other countries.
Can any health care provider do a Refugee Health Assessment?
No. Health care providers should be trained by the MRHP to do these assessments. If you call your local doctor, they may not know what this assessment is and may not have been trained. The MRHP and your county’s public health department can connect you with trained health care providers around the state for a Refugee Health Assessment. If you are a health care provider interested in providing Refugee Health Assessments, please contact us at refugeehealth@state.mn.us.
Do the results of a Refugee Health Assessment affect immigration status?
No. This health exam is only to help new arrivals stay healthy and has no effect on immigration status.
Is this the same as a green card (adjustment of status) exam?
No. A green card (adjustment of status) exam is done for people who are eligible to become permanent residents, normally after they have been living in the U.S. for at least a year.
Why is the Refugee Health Assessment important?
There are many reasons why the Refugee Health Assessment is important to successful resettlement in the U.S., including: