BasicMed question

abqtj

abqtj

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Jul 29, 2016
Messages
371
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Display Name
Display name:
abqtj
Sorry if this is elementary or been covered, but I'm a little confused.

Background: 48yrs old, student pilot, my 3rd class medical was obtained Oct 21, 2016 (so expires end of this month for me).

Under BasicMed, I have to see a physician every 48 months, does the visit in Oct 2016 qualify so I can take the online course now and fly under BasicMed? Or do I need to see a doc this month and then skip in 2 years?

I'm open to other alternatives, too :D Trying to decipher this, any help is appreciated.
 
Physician visits in the past don't count. You have to see the doc specifically for BasicMed and they have to sign the BasicMed paperwork.
 
abqtj said:
...Under BasicMed, I have to see a physician every 48 months, does the visit in Oct 2016 qualify so I can take the online course now and fly under BasicMed?...
Click to expand...
That would have been too logical.
 
You need to see the doc first with the BasicMed forms in hand, and get the doc's signature and state license number BEFORE you take the aeromedical quiz, because at the end of that quiz you need to enter the physician information (including date of visit and MD license number) into the database to register the completion of your BasicMed requirements.

Retake the quiz in two years (presumably you can enter the details for your last physician visit) and re-do the physician signoff in 4 years. If you schedule your normal annual physical exam correctly, you can do the BasicMed stuff at the same time, meeting its requirements, and get your insurance to pay for your exam.
 
Let your III Class expire, even if only for a day. Then do the BasicMed visit to your doc.
 
It's easier to get in and see the AME than get an appointment with my doc, though.

Think the AME will sign BasicMed?
 
abqtj said:
It's easier to get in and see the AME than get an appointment with my doc, though.

Think the AME will sign BasicMed?
Click to expand...

Some do, some don’t. Ask your AME
 
WannFly said:
Exactly.
Click to expand...
I think there is reason to wait - if I recall, if your III Class is still valid, and your BasicMed reveals an issue, it may be you'd have to report it, and perhaps deal with Oklahoma, etc. Or some variation along those lines. If your III Class has xpired, and your BasicMed Doc doesn't feel the issue is relevant, then you are clear. I may have the details a bit muddled - when I went BasicMed I recall some advice along those line in the aviation press.
 
Sundancer said:
I think there is reason to wait - if I recall, if your III Class is still valid, and your BasicMed reveals an issue, it may be you'd have to report it, and perhaps deal with Oklahoma, etc. Or some variation along those lines. If your III Class has xpired, and your BasicMed Doc doesn't feel the issue is relevant, then you are clear. I may have the details a bit muddled - when I went BasicMed I recall some advice along those line in the aviation press.
Click to expand...
I've heard this a few times but can't find anything requiring a pilot to proactively report anything to OK City at any time other than in connection with a pending Part 67 medical certificate or a request for information from the FAA.

What you may be referring to is this. There are events which can trigger an FAA inquiry on a Part 67 medical certificate. It's the medical version of the familiar "709 ride" reexamination of qualifications. If the FAA learns of an accident or incident, a pilot may face a "709 Ride" reexamination of qualification to hold a pilot certificate. Similarly, for example, if the FAA learns a pilot has received debilitating injuries in a reported accident or incident, he or she might receive contact from the FAA medical branch asking to be shown evidence of continued qualification to hold the Part 67 medical certificate.

There are, of course, other events which might trigger an inquiry and result in a medical certificate suspension or revocation if you continue to hold one.

But I'm not sure how waiting to apply for BascMed until after it expires changes the risk.
 
Any time you go to any doctor for any reason and you become aware of a condition that affects your flying health you're supposed to self ground. That's the whole premise of BasicMed. It's a qualification on your FAA medical card. It's one part of list of qualifications on every SI letter I ever got. Part of the benefit of the BasicMed concept is that pilots won't put off going to the doctor for fear of FAA aeromedical interference. The net result is better health.
 
abqtj said:
Will do, thanks
Click to expand...
The ones who don't have various reasons.

One is, of course, liability. AMEs are protected when acting as an AME. They are acting as a designee of the FAA, not as a pilot's doctor. They are subject to "normal" liabilities when acting as a "state licensed physician" under BasicMed. Same as the reason as non-AMEs might have for declining to do BasicMed.

Another is a sense of obligation to the FAA. The purpose of BasicMed is to leave the FAA out of the doctor-patient relationship. A physician who has a professional AME obligation to the FAA may have ethical concerns over what happens if she comes across a reportable condition, especially if the applicant currently has an FAA medical certificate. It's pretty much the same reason many pilots don't want their AME as their primary care physician.

A third I have heard is basically greed. They don't like BasicMed because it impinges on their AME income.

Plenty of discussions over whether any of these are real, imagined, or significant, but they exist in varying degrees in the medical and AME community..
 
What makes you think the AME is not subject to all his responsibilities as a "state licensed physician" while doing a regular FAA physical? While the scope of care is narrowed, the FAA isn't going to indemnify him for malpractice.

Here's text from the FAA federal air surgeon himself:

AMEs are not considered agents or employees of the Federal Government and are not entitled to Federal legal representation or compensation should they be sued by a disgruntled applicant or by the survivors of an applicant who is killed or injured in an aircraft accident. For these reasons, AMEs are cautioned to take great care in the conduct of examinations and the application of the medical standards. If they do so, they may expect strong support from the FAA in respect to the propriety of their actions and any liability connected with the performance of AME duties will be minimized.
​
As far as what they can be sued for, that's an issue for the courts. As for what their insurability/risk is, that's up to the doc and the insurer to hash out.
 
midlifeflyer said:
...A third I have heard is basically greed. They don't like BasicMed because it impinges on their AME income....
Click to expand...
It would seem odd for someone to turn away business because they want more business. :dunno:
 
midlifeflyer said:
A third I have heard is basically greed. They don't like BasicMed because it impinges on their AME income.
Click to expand...

I have yet to meet an AME that chose to be one for the income. To a one, my AMEs do what they do because they like flying, and wish to serve the flying community. Most want to help you keep flying. The time they spend on aviation medicals is time they could spend seeing more profitable patients. There may be some AMEs who don't like the concept of Basic Med, but that may be a separate issue. BasicMed is now an established rule.
 
You can take the test first. When you log back in the software takes you to the doctor page
 
Has anyone heard of their insurance company requiring an FAA medical vs. accepting the BasicMed physical?
 
Artimas said:
Has anyone heard of their insurance company requiring an FAA medical vs. accepting the BasicMed physical?
Click to expand...

IIRC, my insurance asked for my most recent "medical" date, which I provided. They didn't ask what kind of medical, I didn't volunteer.
 
Bill Jennings said:
IIRC, my insurance asked for my most recent "medical" date, which I provided. They didn't ask what kind of medical, I didn't volunteer.
Click to expand...

I personally would tread very cautiously here.

It’s not hard to imagine an insurer denying a claim, saying possession of a “medical” was fraudulently claimed on an application. Sure, one could try to make a case that the BasicMed process was a form of “medical”, but fighting the insurer could be a lengthy and expensive process.

I, for one, would make sure my insurer knew I was operating under BasicMed.

But That’s Just Me! (tm)
 
FastEddieB said:
I personally would tread very cautiously here.

It’s not hard to imagine an insurer denying a claim, saying possession of a “medical” was fraudulently claimed on an application. Sure, one could try to make a case that the BasicMed process was a form of “medical”, but fighting the insurer could be a lengthy and expensive process.

I, for one, would make sure my insurer knew I was operating under BasicMed.

But That’s Just Me! (tm)
Click to expand...

Same here. I always write I'm flying under BasicMed on the application...
 
idahoflier said:
Same here. I always write I'm flying under BasicMed on the application...
Click to expand...
I'm trying to recall the last one I filled in. If it asks for "last FAA medical exam" I would indicate BasucMed, since IMO it is not an FAA medical certificate any more than a drivers license is a "medical certificate" for a light sport or glider pilot.
 
Artimas said:
Has anyone heard of their insurance company requiring an FAA medical vs. accepting the BasicMed physical?
Click to expand...
We asked the insurer - they didn't care. I think it's just not a risk factor, since GA pilot incapacitation is so rare, and likely even when it dies happen, probably no more likely to be caught on a III Class than a Basic Mec exam.
 
Artimas said:
Has anyone heard of their insurance company requiring an FAA medical vs. accepting the BasicMed physical?
Click to expand...

No, I have not. My Basic Med exam was done according to FAA regulations, too, just not the same ones as my previous Class IIIs were. Insurance just wants you and your plane to comply with the regulations, but since you and I are a greater risk than the planes we fly, they want more information about us than about the planee.
 
Revisiting this

Went with BasicMed...piece of cake.

Filled out the form, printed it out, went to the AME I did my 3rd class with 2 years ago, did the online course and quiz, no problems.
 
I took the AOPA Basic Med package to my local urgent care. No problem, $60, done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top