FAA Request for HIMS/Psychiatrist Evaluation

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I received my private pilot certificate 3 years ago, got my IFR the next year, and was going for my commercial when I had started going through a rough spot. I stopped flying, saw a psychiatrist, and was diagnosed with an "adjustment disorder". I was on medication for about half a year and then went off of it and since have been stable. I have a letter from my doctor saying that I've been off the medication for more than 90 days (it's been longer now but I think 90 is the requirement) and have been stable, etc.

The problem is that during my rough patch before I started seeing a psychiatrist I had a problem where I was taking benadryl excessively and I ended up in the hospital because of it. Everything has been fine for over a year now and I went and applied for a second class medical just to continue my commercial. I don't intend to make a career out of flying (I'm an Engineer) but I just wanted to keep following through the various certifications as a learning exercise... so in hindsight I probably should have just applied for a 3rd class.

At any rate, I got a request from the FAA for additional information in the form of a "HIMS/Psychiatrist Evaluation" and I'm not quite sure what to do. They referred me to a link on the FAA website with a list of HIMS sponsors. I contacted a doctor and set up an appointment but the day before the doctor called both me and the FAA and then told me that the FAA still thought I was on medication so to have another letter sent saying that I wasn't... so I did. Then I got another letter from the FAA saying that they received my letter but that I still had to go through the HIMS evaluation. So I called back up the doctor who said that he is a HIMS sponsor but that he couldn't do anything because he's not a HIMS Psychiatrist. I'm very confused because I just pulled a name off the list on the FAA website and I'm not sure what the distinction is.

I would go through with whatever process I need to but it's so confusing I cant quite figure out what they want. Does anyone know exactly what I should do, or if trying for the third class would be simpler? And if so is there a way to modify my existing FAA application?

Thanks for reading.
 
I should also mention that when I called the FAA, they just referred me back to the same list.
 
Call your regional flight surgeon's office (they'll have a pilot advocate there) with the letter in hand. In my case, I was able to get them to decode some letters at the bottom of the letter to find out who actually wrote the letter so they could be contacted and point out they misread the initial finding.

Where is your AME in all this?
 
Unregistered said:
Does anyone know exactly what I should do,
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Start by contacting Bruce Chien as suggested above. Calling the RFS yourself now could lead to you inadvertently telling them something that could bite you later. His website URL is http://www.aeromedicaldoc.com.

or if trying for the third class would be simpler?
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No. This issues applies to all classes.

And if so is there a way to modify my existing FAA application?
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Not once you've submitted it.
 
There is a difference between a HIMS AME and a HIMS Psych...the psych comes first.

So, you'll contact one of the psychiatrists on the list, pay him/her $2000 for a 3 hour interview establishing your psych profile and potential for drug dependency, depression, etc and review of all your case documents; he'll write a 10 page report on your history, make some kind of recommendation, you'll send that to FAA, they'll make you follow his recommendations...in your case, there will likely be no further action necessary...maybe he'll recommend a HIMS AME follow you for a year. Maybe he'll recommend random drug screens. Maybe he'll recommend weekly therapy...these are all kinda worst case.

Hope this helps...
 
The thread is from jan 14. The OP probably followed the program and is back flying since last july.
 
Dr. Chien was instrumental in getting my medical issue resolved quickly, effectively, and efficiently. After reading this post, I looked him up and contacted him about my FAA psychiatric evaluation requirement. He was very quick to respond. And after looking over my case, he knew exactly what I needed to satisfy the FAA. He was ready to guide any community psychiatrist through the process, but when I found that no psychiatrists in my area would touch the case, he referred me to an experienced psychiatrist, Dr. Green, a few hours from my home. They worked together to help me gather the needed records and send the appropriate letters. I was able to get an appointment with Dr. Green for the evaluation and send that evaluation off before my 60 days were up. I know have a clean medical which reflects my state of health, and it cost me less than half it would have cost me otherwise. Thank you for posting about Dr. Chien!


poadeleted20 said:
Start by contacting Bruce Chien as suggested above. Calling the RFS yourself now could lead to you inadvertently telling them something that could bite you later. His website URL is http://www.aeromedicaldoc.com.

No. This issues applies to all classes.

Not once you've submitted it.
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OP about how much did it cost to work with the Psychiatrist? I'm trying to figure out if I should just do sport pilot for now or if I can adequately budget to make it through the medical process and then fly under basic med.
 
Sadly you cannot do that. You got a demand letter from the FAA If not successfully addressed, the nonissuacne results in denial. You cannot use a DL in lieu of medcal qualification for sport pilot, nor can you do Basic_Med with a denial as last interaction.


:(
 
Maybe I am getting mixed up with someone else, but I have never sent anything to the FAA or even spoke to them. It is looking like I could get a sport licsense and get in the air or spend the same money (maybe even more) and then start saving for the private. Sport pilot isn't where I want to end up but it would get me in the air quicker. It would give my wife a chance to figure out how comfortable she can be with me at the helm. Finally while the FAA is likely loathe to make changes favorable to people in my position it does seem a lot of progress has been made in the last several years on that front so maybe it could happen and ease my ability to get a medical. If the wife won't fly with me I'm not sure I would really benefit from the increased capabilities that come with the Private certification anyway.
 
jrm, Thanks. I missed that, and :) GOOD FOR YOU! :)

To the OP. send me an email through the link at the bottom of my sign. line.
 
OP was three years ago, Bruce. You have probably helped them already, or they switched to ice climbing for thrills.
 
T-G if possible could you give me a ballpark on what it cost to work with the psychiatrist. I guess I assumed the OP who asked the question was the person who completed the process. Next time I will know to look closer.
 
I'm a veteran with PTSD from my service. I've never had a denial for medical - I just let it lapse. It's been more than 10 years (2003) so I can't do BasicMed - but I want a class 3 so I can flight instruct. I've not been on any medication for over 8 years, nor hospitalized at all.
Where do I even start? I haven't even applied as I could in theory fly LSA just to be in the air - but I'd rather use my ratings. Thanks for any help.
 
I think your best bet is to hire Dr. Bruce Chien to guide you through the process. He knows what the FAA needs to see, and is skilled at assessing your chances of success, so that you can minimize the chances of losing the sport pilot option. His fees are quite reasonable, IMO.

http://www.aeromedicaldoc.com/
 
Thank you for the info. I will get in touch with him. Better to sit on my hands until I know rather than potentially mess myself up. Thanks!
 
Any recommendations for a good AME in the Birmingham, AL area? (I'd also be happy to drive out of state if that's what it takes!)

My son is almost 15, has been flying for a year, and hopes to solo at 16. I'm concerned that his history of anxiety might cause issues when it comes to getting a medical certificate. As a parent, I'd like to know now if he's eligible to pass a medical (eventually 1st class) so I don't spend the next year paying for flight lessons that will get him no where.

I'm concerned the AME won't take him seriously because he is so young.
 
Yes, anxiety medication in the past but nothing in the last three years. Not sure if we need to go see another psychiatrist (the place we went closed) before we get the medical exam. Does it help to provide any documentation up front to the AME? I got mixed messages when I called AOPA about this issue.
 
MAltiparmak said:
Yes, anxiety medication in the past but nothing in the last three years. Not sure if we need to go see another psychiatrist (the place we went closed) before we get the medical exam. Does it help to provide any documentation up front to the AME? I got mixed messages when I called AOPA about this issue.
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Your best bet is to hire Dr. Bruce Chien to guide you through the process. He knows what the FAA needs to see, and is skilled at assessing your chances of success. His fees are quite reasonable, IMO.

http://www.aeromedicaldoc.com/
 
Are there any FAA drug / alcohol psychologist in Cincinnati
 
Monique said:
Are there any FAA drug / alcohol psychologist in Cincinnati
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Possibly, but per a recent post by Dr. Bruce Chien on an aviation forum, the list of HIMS doctors you are asking for is a closely guarded list. Which is why you need to go through a senior HIMS AME such as Dr. Chien.

Plus, you want to take advantage of his services anyhow. Having him on your team to manage your submission and case can make things much simpler and keep the cost budget from going out of control.
 
He is. And probably the undisputed champion of SSRI cases. @bbchien should help get his attention.

There’s another guy drtomfaulknerame.com in Atlanta who is pretty good but more importantly taking patients still.

This is a good place to read and help understand this crazy process, and it is a crazy process. However, treat what you read here like a dope chart, don’t believe ANY one thing. Wait and watch patterns emerge, and this is to help with understanding only. Do not take ANY EVEN POSSIBLE official action without being VERY CLEAR about it with a good AME. The AME will be your liaison with a HIMS psychiatrist.

You can deal with a HIMS psychiatrist directly, but it’s tougher as the faa hides that list, and they don’t really have the bigger picture anyway. You might get lucky, go to one, submit a short list of stuff and everything goes away and your kid gets a medical, but don’t count on that. You’ll likely wind up getting a HIMS AME involved anyway. Once you start with one, it’s best to stay with one, that being just one of the illogical pitfalls of this system.

Don’t take my word, keep reading, you’ll see that pattern emerge.

Best to you and your kid!
 
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