H
Holdingshortforever
Guest
I received a Special Issuance Class 3 Medical in July (after an incredibly long 2+ year wait and back and forth with the FAA) for "stress related anxiety and depression", and the authorization letter is very confusing. I have pasted relevant sections of the letter below for ease of review by the medically astute folks in this community.
I continue to do quite well, but I'm not sure what it is I need to do to keep this active and by when.
My questions are as follows:
(1) What exactly is the difference between the Authorization expiration date and the Certificate expiration date? I take the plain English to mean that the certificate expires on November 30, 2024 no matter how long the "authorization" lasts?
(2) Does the certificate expiration date of November 30, 2024 mean that I need to get a new physical from my AME and fill out a new MedXpress form before that date? If so, do I need to go to the original AME I saw, or can I go to a new one?
(3) Whom do I need to get the current detailed clinical progress note from? I know the letter says "treating physician" but I haven't seen my primary treating physician in years since I got off antianxiety medication a long time ago after doing incredibly well. Do I need to go back to that person just for this requirement? Or should I go to the HIMS psychiatrist who gave me a clean bill of health the first time when they asked for a current psychiatric evaluation? Or should I have my regular counselor provide the note? They will all most likely verify that I continue to do well, but I just need to know what documents to gather and from whom.
(4) Is there any other documentation the FAA will need to make sure I keep this active?
RELEVANT TEXT OF LETTER FOLLOWS:
• The enclosed CERTIFICATE :
o Is valid until November 30, 2024;
o Requires your signature;
o Supersedes any previously issued certificates
• This AUTHORIZATION:
o Shall be effective until it expires on November 30, 2028 or
withdrawn by the agency;
o Supersedes any previously issued Authorization;
o Must be presented to your AME at the time you undergo an airman
medical examination.
You have been granted this Authorization for Special Issuance following the
FAA ' s determination that you do not meet the medical standards prescribed i n
14 C.F.R. Part 67 under Section (s ) 67 . 107 (c ), 67 . 207 (c ), and 67 . 307(c) for an
unrestricted airman medical certification due to your established medical
history or clinical diagnosis of : stress related anxiety and depression. You
have the right to appeal this decision as prescribed in 49 USC 447 03 .
You must follow the Airman/AME Instructions set forth in this authorization
for continued certification under this authorization.
For continued certification under this authorization :
1. A physical examination (FAA Form 8500- 8 ) by a designated AME will be
required at the frequency prescribed under the provisions of 14 CFR § 61 . 23 .
Your next third-class application will be due in November 2027.
2. In November 2024, you are required to obtain the following :
• A current, detailed clinical progress note regarding your history of stress related anxiety and depression , generated from a clinic visit
with your treating physician in accordance with the enclosed guidelines.
• The clinical progress note must specifically include a discussion of any continued counseling, sleep and eating habits, general life stability.
Many thanks to all of the extremely knowledgeable pilots and docs on this forum for any insight you can share!
I continue to do quite well, but I'm not sure what it is I need to do to keep this active and by when.
My questions are as follows:
(1) What exactly is the difference between the Authorization expiration date and the Certificate expiration date? I take the plain English to mean that the certificate expires on November 30, 2024 no matter how long the "authorization" lasts?
(2) Does the certificate expiration date of November 30, 2024 mean that I need to get a new physical from my AME and fill out a new MedXpress form before that date? If so, do I need to go to the original AME I saw, or can I go to a new one?
(3) Whom do I need to get the current detailed clinical progress note from? I know the letter says "treating physician" but I haven't seen my primary treating physician in years since I got off antianxiety medication a long time ago after doing incredibly well. Do I need to go back to that person just for this requirement? Or should I go to the HIMS psychiatrist who gave me a clean bill of health the first time when they asked for a current psychiatric evaluation? Or should I have my regular counselor provide the note? They will all most likely verify that I continue to do well, but I just need to know what documents to gather and from whom.
(4) Is there any other documentation the FAA will need to make sure I keep this active?
RELEVANT TEXT OF LETTER FOLLOWS:
• The enclosed CERTIFICATE :
o Is valid until November 30, 2024;
o Requires your signature;
o Supersedes any previously issued certificates
• This AUTHORIZATION:
o Shall be effective until it expires on November 30, 2028 or
withdrawn by the agency;
o Supersedes any previously issued Authorization;
o Must be presented to your AME at the time you undergo an airman
medical examination.
You have been granted this Authorization for Special Issuance following the
FAA ' s determination that you do not meet the medical standards prescribed i n
14 C.F.R. Part 67 under Section (s ) 67 . 107 (c ), 67 . 207 (c ), and 67 . 307(c) for an
unrestricted airman medical certification due to your established medical
history or clinical diagnosis of : stress related anxiety and depression. You
have the right to appeal this decision as prescribed in 49 USC 447 03 .
You must follow the Airman/AME Instructions set forth in this authorization
for continued certification under this authorization.
For continued certification under this authorization :
1. A physical examination (FAA Form 8500- 8 ) by a designated AME will be
required at the frequency prescribed under the provisions of 14 CFR § 61 . 23 .
Your next third-class application will be due in November 2027.
2. In November 2024, you are required to obtain the following :
• A current, detailed clinical progress note regarding your history of stress related anxiety and depression , generated from a clinic visit
with your treating physician in accordance with the enclosed guidelines.
• The clinical progress note must specifically include a discussion of any continued counseling, sleep and eating habits, general life stability.
Many thanks to all of the extremely knowledgeable pilots and docs on this forum for any insight you can share!