What does "Final Review" actually mean?

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FlyingBiscuit

Filing Flight Plan
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FlyingBiscuit
How is it different from "In Review?"

Also, MedXPress says it'll take two days, but I have my doubts. What are some experiences you guys have had with this?
 
They are creating the letter.
Or maybe in the doc's inbox...
 
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I was in "final review" for many months. When I called the regional flight surgeon, they told me the air surgeon who had been assigned to make a final decision had not yet opened my file. From that my impression is that your file is in the inbox of the one responsible for making a final decision.
 
Mikey52 said:
Or denial.
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Mine was in "Final Review" for 2 months only to get a denial letter. I'd call once a week to the D.C. office...the last 1.5 weeks it was done but not signed and because it wasn't "official" they wouldn't tell me anything. The medexpress website is a joke.
 
Mine has been "In Review" for over 8 months.
They literally have every piece of document they have ever requested. MY HIMS AME called them once a month and the typical answer from the doc of the day is: "we have not gotten to it yet, soon"
I had a letter from them 11 months ago asking for:

1. COG screening results.
2. Updated HIMS Psychiatrist EVAL.
3. Updated HIMS AME report.

All was sent in 8-9 months ago and nothing.
All three HIMS team reports were very, very favorable.

Who really knows.
 
Al1606 said:
Mine has been "In Review" for over 8 months.
They literally have every piece of document they have ever requested. MY HIMS AME called them once a month and the typical answer from the doc of the day is: "we have not gotten to it yet, soon"
I had a letter from them 11 months ago asking for:

1. COG screening results.
2. Updated HIMS Psychiatrist EVAL.
3. Updated HIMS AME report.

All was sent in 8-9 months ago and nothing.
All three HIMS team reports were very, very favorable.

Who really knows.
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My HIMS deferral took 15 months from start to denial. They will reconsider SI again after more evals and additional info.

It’s a long haul and so unnecessarily inefficient.
 
UTLonghorn_1979 said:
My HIMS deferral took 15 months from start to denial. They will reconsider SI again after more evals and additional info.

It’s a long haul and so unnecessarily inefficient.
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Wow. I never got a denial.
They actually sent a simple (3) question demand. It stated for "SI" consideration, please provide.
I did so. All evals have been favorable.
What do you think?
 
Al1606 said:
Wow. I never got a denial.
They actually sent a simple (3) question demand. It stated for "SI" consideration, please provide.
I did so. All evals have been favorable.
What do you think?
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I got that request then denial letter, but same letter said upon additional info, evals, etc they would reconsider.

My evals all said the same thing. I.e. they said “I don’t see any reason for you not to get your SI medical.” Obviously I was shocked and disheartened that the D.C. folks thought otherwise.

I’m starting process over, I’m expecting another 12 months.

Good luck!!
 
I made an error on my medxpress. Could I get in trouble by the faa. I did get the medical and the faa already knows my history
 
Final review generally means the analyst has reviewed the package for completeness and it is now pending the review by the physician or specialist for a final decision. In some cases, they will determine that other information is still needed during the final review.

Also to consider it depends on the condition or complexity of the case as to which office the final review is at - OKC vs FAS (DC).

I was recently told by FAS about approx wait times from the moment they get the package:

- SSRI case = 6 months
- Psych or Neuro consult = 12 months

***Again these are the times AFTER they receive the package not from the date of initial submission by your AME/HIMS AME.
FlyingBiscuit said:
How is it different from "In Review?"

Also, MedXPress says it'll take two days, but I have my doubts. What are some experiences you guys have had with this?
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GoFlightMed said:
Final review generally means the analyst has reviewed the package for completeness and it is now pending the review by the physician or specialist for a final decision. In some cases, they will determine that other information is still needed during the final review.

Also to consider it depends on the condition or complexity of the case as to which office the final review is at - OKC vs FAS (DC).

I was recently told by FAS about approx wait times from the moment they get the package:

- SSRI case = 6 months
- Psych or Neuro consult = 12 months

***Again these are the times AFTER they receive the package not from the date of initial submission by your AME/HIMS AME.
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Don't all SSRI cases include/require the Psych/Neuro eval or case by case? If the initial SSRI deferral results in a denial upon review and FAS saying it's a dual diagnoses (alcohol abuse/dependence), would you expect the next round to go quicker? I.e. if the SSRI use is stable/no concerns from the treating physician and only an update is needed along with the new substance related HIMS items, do you think one is still looking at another 12 months or quicker?

Thanks!
 
I think what they told goFlight is a bunch of..."gilded lily". They count months as when theeir analyst get the case and has determined that everything that needs be there is there. Of coures that's some time AFTER OKC sends the case, and that is after OKC's analyst makes the determination "this needs the admiralty". So add six months.

I've had a notable Dual diagnosis case, well doucmented, sat upon by DC for 20 months; that took a second (due to the HMS psychiatry eval was a year old) HIMS psychiatry eval, and a Senator, to get it processed and a new two-year cycle thrid class flight pyiscal to keep it alive. We succeeded.

Those times are......optimistic.....as one would expecrt from a governmental agency. Look, it just "is what it is".
 
bbchien said:
I think what they told goFlight is a bunch of..."gilded lily". They count months as when theeir analyst get the case and has determined that everything that needs be there is there. Of coures that's some time AFTER OKC sends the case, and that is after OKC's analyst makes the determination "this needs the admiralty". So add six months.

I've had a notable Dual diagnosis case, well doucmented, sat upon by DC for 20 months; that took a second (due to the HMS psychiatry eval was a year old) HIMS psychiatry eval, and a Senator, to get it processed and a new two-year cycle thrid class flight pyiscal to keep it alive. We succeeded.

Those times are......optimistic.....as one would expecrt from a governmental agency. Look, it just "is what it is".
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How is any of this acceptable? The FAA knows this is an existing issue and one that will only worsen if the existing practices are maintained. Direct quotes from the 2024 FAA Budget submission:

"Over time, our stakeholder base has changed. An aging general aviation pilot population has led to an increased number of medical conditions reported on applications that require monitoring, commonly from four to six health conditions. On the other end of the age spectrum, the 16-25 year-old population entering the educational system to become tomorrow’s professional pilots have a high incidence of treated mental health conditions, to include Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), Major Depression and Autism Spectrum Disorder. These case files require extensive review and neuropsychological evaluations, which contributes to a backlog in medical certifications. The highly trained professionals who review these cases are logging a record number of overtime hours to keep pace and we do not anticipate this workload diminishing over time."

If there was ever time to acknowledge that funneling the majority of cases to OKC/FAS is NOT working, it's now. More and more pilots are going to be discouraged from pursuing an aviation career due to cost and/or hoops to jump through, and more will be grounded due to age/deferrals. So the option is lower the standards so more potential pilots are pushed through (not my preference) or the FAA gets over its control and power issues and redirects the bulk of the evaluations and decision making to the AME/HIMS AMEs. This WON'T lower the standards, but at least the timeframe and need for multiple rounds of evaluations as the evaluations are already non-current by the time OKC or FAS get to them. The process is broken.
 
Rail all you want. You won't get there any faster.
Maybe you are you a dual diagnosis guy? If so, STRAP ON IN.
 
bbchien said:
Rail all you want. You won't get there any faster.
Maybe you are you a dual diagnosis guy? If so, STRAP ON IN.
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The fact that's an honest response, and I believe meant to be honest, is my point. The FAA doesn't care, there's zero accountability or motivation for them to change unless we all speak up.

It may not get me "there any faster," I'm resolved to that and working the existing process. I'm more concerned about the pilots that are being pushed through or standards that will need to be lowered to meet the growing global demand for commercial and/or transport pilots (many of which are trained in the US) and potential impact on safety and commerce. The FAA acknowledges this is an existing issue, it acknowledges it will be on ongoing and increasing issue with the "high incidence of treated mental health conditions" that the next generation of potential pilots are being treated for. Unless something changes, the backlog will only worsen or pilots will lie on their applications to not be subject to such lengthy and expensive processes.

You're a Dr, what's your suggestion/recommendation for the FAA?

Same question for "GoFLightMed."
 
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