Going BasicMed

spiderweb said:
I don't understand. Are you saying that some AMEs now are actually denying medicals based on being an over-50 male with a thick neck? If true, we need to know who they are, and I am not joking.
Click to expand...

A couple years ago FAA medical came to sort of a compromise on sleep apnea. The SI requirements were modified to try to keep pilots from avoiding treatment, or avoiding reporting OSA. One of the changes is that the AME is now being pushed to screen pilots who fit the profile. These risk factors have been found in the majority of people with apnea. If the pilot fits the profile, he's being told to get an apnea screening. I see from the FAA documents that they do not include the 17" neck measurement as a checkpoint.

Here's the flowchart:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/media/FAA OSA Flow Chart.pdf

Here are the risk factors:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/media/AASM Tables 2 and 3.pdf

Here are the instructions on what to do if the AME decides you are at a high risk for OSA:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/media/OSA Spec Sheet B.pdf

Here's the report that FAA refers to:
https://aasm.org/resources/clinicalguidelines/osa_adults.pdf

and here is the FAA fact sheet on the new policies:
https://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=18156
 
Last edited:
Matthew said:
A couple years ago FAA medical came to sort of a compromise on sleep apnea. The SI requirements were modified to try to keep pilots from avoiding treatment, or avoiding reporting OSA. One of the changes is that the AME is now being pushed to screen pilots who fit the profile. These risk factors have been found in the majority of people with apnea. If the pilot fits the profile, he's being told to get an apnea screening. I see from the FAA documents that they do not include the 17" neck measurement as a checkpoint.

Here's the flowchart:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/media/FAA OSA Flow Chart.pdf

Here are the risk factors:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/media/AASM Tables 2 and 3.pdf

Here are the instructions on what to do if the AME decides you are at a high risk for OSA:
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/media/OSA Spec Sheet B.pdf

Here's the report that FAA refers to:
https://aasm.org/resources/clinicalguidelines/osa_adults.pdf

and here is the FAA fact sheet on the new policies:
https://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=18156
Click to expand...
Thanks for all of this. I just got a renewal on my Class III, but I'm "only" 49.
 
spiderweb said:
Thanks for all of this. I just got a renewal on my Class III, but I'm "only" 49.
Click to expand...
I get my OSA SI renewed next week. Next year is my Class III renew and I might be doing Basic Med from then on.

The PITA is getting it that first time. The SI really is simple to renew, and you can fly while you wait, so there really isn't a reason to not get OSA treated. The problem now is with those pilots that seem like they SHOULD have it (BMI + whatever other factors) that actually don't have it because FAA is wanting them to be screened.
 
A_Valkyrie said:
I think that is the FAA's specialty when it comes to medicals...all conditions fit in tidy little boxes. You have "this disease" and that means "this". Now prove to us that you are fit to fly and please do so in this amount of time. Thank goodness we are allowed to have our doctors make those decisions now.
Click to expand...
Actually in some cases it's subtler than that. Having a particular disease, or history of one (or even just an event) might put you in a number of different risk categories, depending on the details and the actual diagnosis. If the risk category you belong in is ambiguous, then you're assigned to the highest risk category possible unless you can prove you belong in a lower risk category, regardless of how low the probability of actually having the condition that would put you into the higher risk category. I didn't realize this until the story came out about John King's continuing difficulties with the FAA more than two years after a seizure that his doctors believed (but for which there was no solid proof) was induced by medication and fever and not due to underlying brain disease. That was a big part of my decision to go Basic Med rather than risk a denial by applying for a 3rd class, even though I'm quite fit and healthy for my age now.
 
spiderweb said:
I don't understand. Are you saying that some AMEs now are actually denying medicals based on being an over-50 male with a thick neck? If true, we need to know who they are, and I am not joking.
Click to expand...

Yup. Over 50, male, and thick neck. They can also get you if you snore. I am NOT making this up. I've still got the 3rd class, but I am uncertain as to how long. The Medical process is hopelessly broken.
 
 
steingar said:
Yup. Over 50, male, and thick neck. They can also get you if you snore. I am NOT making this up. I've still got the 3rd class, but I am uncertain as to how long. The Medical process is hopelessly broken.
Click to expand...
Ridiculous.
 
I got an email from the FAA today, saying that 25,755 pilots have now "opted" for BasicMed. (I assume that means that they have successfully completed the BasicMed process.) Based on the FAA's estimate of active pilot certificates held, that's about 16% of private pilots, or 10% of private plus commercial certificate holders.
 
Palmpilot said:
I got an email from the FAA today, saying that 25,755 pilots have now "opted" for BasicMed. (I assume that means that they have successfully completed the BasicMed process.) Based on the FAA's estimate of active pilot certificates held, that's about 16% of private pilots, or 10% of private plus commercial certificate holders.
Click to expand...
That's how many folks have taken the course and provided the date, Dr's name, license number, etc., from their last comprehensive medical examination. Some of them may also hold a valid medical certificate, but most of those folks last medical has either expired or will expire shortly.
 
I decided to do BasicMed last year when my third class expired. I figured for my flying I get 2 extra years on the medical. I contacted two local ame that I had used in the past, assuming they'd be happy to do the Basic - no go, no explanation given, but they're both happy to do my third class again.

So I contacted my PCP and explained the situation. At first his staff was confused, but the doc said to come in and he'll have a look. He did the full checkout except the eye exam. I went to the eye doc for that (free annual checkup through insurance) and showed the report to my PCP, who then signed off. Total cost was $20 co-pay.

I keep a PDF of the full report on my phone and a hardcopy of signature page in my bag.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
One has to wonder how many "flies and acts as PIC regularly but is not included in this estimate" pilots (such as myself) there are out there.

We will never know.
Click to expand...
I take the view that a guestimate is better than no information at all, as long as we recognize the limitations of the data.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top