As said above, if you complete the FAA Form 8500-8 via MedXpress.faa.gov, then hand over the confirmation number to the AME or the staff manning the checking window, your exam goes "live" and any history, medications, medical practitioner visits, and law enforcement encounters you recorded/reported on the form will be forwarded to the FAA.
If you fill out the form and never do anything with it, then after 60-days, the electrons get recycled.
If you fill out the form, and then hand it to the doctor or staff member with the confirmation number removed from the bottom with a pair of scissors, the doctor/staffer cannot make the exam live. However, completing the form and withholding the confirmation number might help to facilitate a consultation exam.
@Lymphocyte ... We helpful PoA folk frequently preach doing a consultation exam with the AME if you have
ANY questions or concerns about your ability to obtain an FAA medical. And by your first post up there, I would say this is the case.
Not every AME is the helpful type as
@jstone points out. But you can let us know where you call home is, someone might be able to tell you who is worth their shingle.
This is my cut and paste item for doing a consultation with an AME.
AME Consultations
When you set the appointment, ask for a consultation, not an examination.
If the AME or his staff ask you to fill out the MedXpress form (FAAa Form 8500-8), it is okay to do so. But be ware there is a way you get snaffoozled by the staff without you knowing about it.
At the bottom of the form when you complete it and print it is a confirmation number. If the staff takes that number and enters it into the FAA medical certification system, your consult just became a live exam. And a live exam must proceed to a decision. A decision of issue, deny or defer.
To avoid the snafoozle, take a pair of scissors and clip off the confirmation number. Put that in your pocket. Now the AME has the info, but no way to open your file on the FAA system.
Proceed with consultation ask your questions, get the guidance, and write down your notes.
The end of the consultation should result in one of two outcomes: (1) the AME says he has enough to issue your certificate right now; or (2) The AME educates you on the requirements and provides a list of things to obtain and bring back for the real exam.
He should also tell you if this will be an in office issuance or a situation where the FAA requires it to be a “deferral” because the issuance decision must be made at a higher level. If deferral, make sure find out if the AME will go above and beyond as your advocate to make sure the application doesn’t get hung up in channels
