I read this with great interest, since medical costs were a contributing factor in my decision to sell the Arrow and then eventually just hanging up the headsets. There is nothing in my post that is any different than what has already been said. I hold no ill will toward the FAA, but they do seem to be just a bit ouy of control at times. I am reminded of an old saying, "Absolute Power corrupts absolutely", maybe that is not fair, but it is how I feel.
I think is was 2013 when my PCP also noticed something that concerned him, a pronounced heart murmur. He correctly suggested I see a cardiologist who presented a diagnosis of Aortic Stenosis. Even though it was Medically gauged to be mild it had to be mentioned to the FAA. I grounded myself immediately and was then diagnosed with OSA, High Blood Pressure and Type II Diabetes. With the excellent help of Dr Bruce, I was able to navigate the FAA Minefield and ended up with a whopping 3 SI's with the FAA. We did this for 3 years at high costs, but I did get to see Dr Bruce at least once a year. Eventually I had to weight cost to benefit of owning and even flying and while getting out was a difficult decision, it was the beter choice.
During this journey I also had to almost beg my Cardiologist to keep performing the tests that the FAA was mandating I have. At one point it was also requested I have a 24 hr Holter test. My Cardio and his assistant went nuts, making similar comments as have been expounded in this thread. In their opinion the request was medically unfounded and not related in the least to the AS, OSA, or Diabetes. At one point they simply refused and as mentioned earlier, I had to beg them to just do it to satisfy the FAA.
I can remember having to scold my PCP assistant for using those stupid wrist devices for measuring my BP, they always read much higher than an old fashioned Blood Pressure Cuff and stethoscope. At some point my PCP explained it to her and that I couldn't have these high BP readings in my chart.
I can also remember sitting on the side of my bed with my CPAP on just breathing through it to get to the FAA mandated 6 hrs of sleep. Once, doing this while at the 6Y9 Fly-In, sitting on the bed of my Motorhome waiting on the 6 hour milestone so I could walk over to see my friends, Brad, Diz, Dr Bruce and his wife. I have never needed more than 4 to 5 hours sleep a night but the FAA insisted I get 6.
It is ironic that Basic Med was passed soon after I sold the Arrow. Based on the rules of engagement I still quality for basic med as I held a valid medical with in the 10 years before it's inception. Unfortunately my most recent Echo cardiogram indicates an aortic valve opening of .95 cm2, which is below what I remember being the FAA's threshold of 1.0 cm2. It seems many forget that Basic Med is not a free pass that exempts you from meeting some minimum requirements of the FAA.
That was three years ago, I am doing well, and considered to be in excellent health by my physicians. I am scheduled for another Echo this summer to see how things have progressed and anticipate I will be a candidate for (TAVR) Trans-catheter Aortic Valve replacement in the next two or three years.
When we all decided to take on this Aviation thing we jumped into someone else's playground and have to abide by their rules to be able to play. Doesn't matter if we think it is right or even fair. We all have to educate ourselves to maintain some control over our medical care.
Enough rambling!!
Wonder if my insurance weasels will allow it. 
