TWinter Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 I thought I stayed on top of new FAA rules/regs. Well, apparently this one got by me. I went today for my physical renewal and the first question they asked was did I have the 8500-8 MedXpress on-line authorization number? Umm, feeling pretty stupid I told her I had no idea what she was talking about. She asked if I had gotten a notice from the FAA about how to do the on-line registration to get registered for FAA physicals. Again, I was clueless. While it's tough enough to keep blood pressure in check when I visit the doc ( I'm in relatively good health, but do get white coat syndrome on occasion) I am now told I can sit down in the conference room and get registered using their little 15" laptop. The nurse got me to the FAA website and I proceeded to register on-line. You must wait for a email back for the link after registering before you can proceed to get your authorization code..The nurse said it may come right back or may take several hours..She did say that they were open until 5 pm (My appoint was @ 2 pm). If the number did not get emailed back before 5pm then I would have to reschedule the physical..urgh. Blood pressure is now increasing. Long story short..I got the number back within the hour and the physical went as planned. We did have to take the blood pressure twice. I needed to chill just a little. All went well and I'm good for 24 months. Moral to the story, be sure you get your MedXpress authorization number before you go. Apparently, I missed this update. Maybe I'm the only one who missed this, but then again maybe there is someone who did not know and this will save some time and aggravation . I'll know next time. Quote
laytonl Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 Same here. I vaguely remember thinking I needed to do something before going to the AME. Lee Quote
Carl S Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 My last medical was just the opposite. I had my number but the Doc's office was way behind the curve. They said I'd get my medical cert in 3-5 days and I had to argue and show them how to use the system to print it out right there. Quote
DrBill Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 I forgot to bring the number with me and I used my Ipod touch and the FBO wireless to get my email and record the number. Later that month I had brain surgery so there went the medical for a year ! BILL Quote
Bob - S50 Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 When filling out the form, if there is something you are not sure about, leave it blank or ask the Dr. about it when you see them. They can add items but I don't know if they can change items. You'd hate to answer something wrong and not be able to get it corrected. Bob 2 Quote
Marauder Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 And DON'T give him/her the number unless you are certain you don't have any medical issues. Once the number is provided, you lose your chance at the LS if you do have a disqualifying condition. Hopefully the driver license medical stuff will go through and end this madness for us non-commercial folks. 2 Quote
BrianBest Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 My AME always makes it clear when I make the appointment - bring the number. He also says to make sure you keep a copy of your electronic form. What you really don't want to do is not mention something on the next visit that you did mention on this visit - that raises eyebrows in OK City. Quote
TWinter Posted December 19, 2013 Author Report Posted December 19, 2013 Every two years is too soon. Seems like I just took the physical. High hopes for the DL program to pass. My doc charges $125.00 for 3rd class. It would be money in the bank or for Avgas if it passes 1 Quote
Marauder Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 My AME always makes it clear when I make the appointment - bring the number. He also says to make sure you keep a copy of your electronic form. What you really don't want to do is not mention something on the next visit that you did mention on this visit - that raises eyebrows in OK City. Bring the number, but if you have experienced any medical issues you are uncertain about, ask to do a consultation visit and not provide the number. Once the number is activated, you cannot go back and ask for LS consideration. Most AMEs will do a consultation without actually doing a medical exam. Quote
M20F-1968 Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 I am a Board Certified Internist and Senior AME (Class I, II and III) in the Boston, MA area. I always as pilots to do the MedXpress form before coming in, print the form and bring the certification number. If they do not print it out, I can still look at it on line with them. There is a provision for me to change information entered on the form but only with the pilot's permission, knowledge and authorization. I must certify that I have those consents to alter any of the pilot's answers. If I can help provide any answers feel free to e-mail me at johnabreda@yahoo.com I do my exams in the Concord, MA area. Thanks, John Breda 2 Quote
DAVIDWH Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 Passing the physical tips: For those with high blood pressure, a glass of Merlot before the physical usually does the trick. For those with a bit of sugar, a test tube of your pets urine , later poured in the cup, usually does the trick. (Very few dogs are diabetic) For those who can't see the chart, cataract surgery is now an eight minute procedure. To pass the FAA polygraph, going into effect soon and administered by the NSA, lots and lots of Valium. Keeps all voltages low and all lines straight. For those who are asked to cough, I can't help you. 2 Quote
flyboy0681 Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 I'm not sure what all the confusions is about. I'm going in for my medical in a few weeks and two years ago when I got my current certificate I was required to use MedXpress, my point being it's nothing new. I also agree with all here that say every two years (for those of us over 40) is much too often - if even needed. The new proposed ruling doesn't help much as it would apply only for VFR flights. Quote
Carl S Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 Plus one Flyboy. The drivers license medical will do me about as much good as the three year Class III did - going into effect the year after I became inelegible. Now, if I could substitute an IPC every couple of years for a medical, that might be worth supporting. Quote
flyboy0681 Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 Plus one Flyboy. The drivers license medical will do me about as much good as the three year Class III did - going into effect the year after I became inelegible. Now, if I could substitute an IPC every couple of years for a medical, that might be worth supporting. I feel your pain. I also was able to take advantage of the three year medical only once. As usual, the AOPA efforts fall short. Quote
1964-M20E Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 I did my phuysical 2 yeara agoa and did not need this but I'll need it next month. AOPA efforts while made with good intentions do fall short. I am sending the sponsoring representative a letter asking him to include IFR in the exemption. This is a fight that if it is won will not be revisited for a long time (5 years) and we need to fight for everything up front. The bill will need to traverse the aviation subcommittee and the transportation committee before seeing the light of day in the full house which presents 3 opportunities for the FAA to try and kill it and finally if it makes those hurdles you still have the Senate which may amend it and then the pres. would need to sing it and you wonder why the gov’t can’t do anything. 2 Quote
TWinter Posted December 19, 2013 Author Report Posted December 19, 2013 My medical anniversary date is 12/28. I got my last physical on 12/28/11. There was no mention of the MedXpress process during that physical and it was business as usual. That's why I was confused this time. Maybe the FAA was just slow getting info to us country folks here in Tennessee..LOL No big deal. Just giving heads up to those who may have missed the info as I did. Quote
N601RX Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 One good thing about he bill is that it is co-sponsored by both Dem and Republicans. That will help it move forward. This may actually be an easy out for the FAA. During the 2 years the AOPA and EAA petition was pending, I did not hear them say they opposed it. It may have been a situation of no one at the FAA wanting to stick their neck out on the line by moving it forward. This way they can do it and say congress made them do it if anything goes wrong. Quote
1964-M20E Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 N601RX I hope you are right about the FAA not opposed to this but just not wanting to stick their neck out all the more reason we need to push to have IFR added to the bill and or just eliminate Class III altogether. Just got my email back with the Medexpress registration now for the hard part. Quote
Marauder Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 My medical anniversary date is 12/28. I got my last physical on 12/28/11. There was no mention of the MedXpress process during that physical and it was business as usual. That's why I was confused this time. Maybe the FAA was just slow getting info to us country folks here in Tennessee..LOL No big deal. Just giving heads up to those who may have missed the info as I did. The MedXpress requirement went into effect October 2012. My medical was done in December 2012. The notification was published in different publications but you if you weren't getting them, I can see how you missed it. I am on the FAA circular distribution list and received it that way. Quote
carusoam Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 The government is getting experienced with the whole online effort... Medical document is pretty straight forward, I got the advice of how to do it from AOPA. Things went swimmingly.... Just re-registered my bird with the FAA on line, and sent the $5 check by mail. Return receipt request, of course... The Obama care guys have hired a Microsoft guy to stream line their disaster... Slow progress, but progress none the less.... Hope they don't screw it up and give my tail number to somebody else... Best regards, -a- Quote
Marauder Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 Hope they don't screw it up and give my tail number to somebody else... Best regards, -a- Hey, I just got an email from the FAA, seems I now own an Ovation based in New Jersey! How did that happen?! Quote
carusoam Posted December 19, 2013 Report Posted December 19, 2013 Chris, This is must be a gov't program to make things slow and painful. Part of my recovery includes making trips to the DMV and rebuilding the ignition system of an old firebird... Oops, That's the other thread... How many projects are on jack stands in the front yard... Rule #1... maintain positive attitude!!! I think I'll go look up Don K's landing video... Best regards, -a- Quote
Carl S Posted December 20, 2013 Report Posted December 20, 2013 Hey, I just got an email from the FAA, seems I now own an Ovation based in New Jersey! How did that happen?! Just wait, you'll love the letter from the tax department.... Quote
Marauder Posted December 20, 2013 Report Posted December 20, 2013 Just wait, you'll love the letter from the tax department.... But, but, but I live in Delaware, the tax FREE state! Quote
carusoam Posted December 20, 2013 Report Posted December 20, 2013 I got a tax letter from Arizona.... Previous owner must have forgotten to tell the home team... Best regards, -a- Quote
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