The new medical

[nels]

My 3rd class medical just expired so I made an appointment to get it renewed. But I was wondering about the new medical that is now available and if that might be an easier, faster and less expensive route? Anybody taken advantage of the new system. 

[LANCECASPER]

11 minutes ago, nels said:

My 3rd class medical just expired so I made an appointment to get it renewed. But I was wondering about the new medical that is now available and if that might be an easier, faster and less expensive route? Anybody taken advantage of the new system. 

https://mooneyspace.com/search/?&q="BASIC MED"&search_and_or=or&sortby=relevancy

[Hank]

I just gave AOPA's information package to my doctor for review. Will reporr back soon with results, as I'm due one way or another this month.

[steingar]

Basic Med lasts 4 years and can be done by your GP and possibly even paid for by your medical insurance.  That's assuming your GP is willing to do it, lots aren't.  The only real down side I can see is you can't fly to Canada or Mexico.  I'll bet the Bahamas accept it, though.

[Marauder]

Basic Med lasts 4 years and can be done by your GP and possibly even paid for by your medical insurance.  That's assuming your GP is willing to do it, lots aren't.  The only real down side I can see is you can't fly to Canada or Mexico.  I'll bet the Bahamas accept it, though.

Bahamas do accept it.


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[FoxMike]

The basic works OK.  My regular doc does not like the FAA so I had to find another doc.  The one I found was miles away and he signed the Basic Med form then wanted me to become a regular patient.  Given the distance that was not practical so I may need to find another doc next time.  Unfortunately I wanted to go to Canada this summer (they do not recognize the Basic med)  so I had to go to a regular 3rd Class.  Basic Med should work for most so you might give it a try.

[Pritch]

I got my Basic Med last fall from our local AME, I was the last one he did.  Because he is not covered by FAA medical insurance like he is for the regular medicals he no longer does them.  That being said so far I have had no problems with it, have no plans to go to Mexico or Canada and have yet had no plans to go over 18,000 Ft.  The online quiz that you have to take every two years is not hard as long as you read the text before you take it.

Pritch

 

[INA201]

I'm on basic med and found it simple.  Just like everything else though I think doctor's ultimate liability with this may push doctors away from doing it.  I think it is a great move in the right direction and less worry for me anyway. 

[RobertGary1]

I would find a dot doctor to do it. Keep your doctor away from the faa. Mine talks about a patient he doesn’t think should fly but holds a valid class 3. You don’t want him calling the fsdo because he doesn’t understand the requirements. You don’t want to tell the guy signing your faa if you had a chest pain. The less the faa signing dr knows about you the better. 

-Robert

[jaylw314]

Here's a prior thread on this topic

My comments:

• You need a good working relationship with your PCP.  If you don't, forget it.
• You can pitch the concept to your PCP in ways that are more likely for him to accept.  You can really also screw this up and make him/her run away screaming.  Schedule time for a full physical exam so there is time to go over the paperwork and information with him/her
• The whole concept of BasicMed is that you are the one who determines if you are airworthy.  The physician is required to perform his exam, give you information on whether and how your conditions (and treatments/meds) might affect flight, and treat those conditions in a normal way.  If the two of you can fulfill those roles, I think it's a great way of doing things.
• It really should be your PCP.  The FAA does not need anything from your PCP for BasicMed, but if they find out lots of people are using rent-a-doc's for BasicMed, they may rethink how it works to our detriment.

I disagree with @RobertGary1's suggestion to use a DOT doc. Others have talked about trying to find a AME to do BasicMed.  Since BasicMed's information for physician's clearly states they are to sign the checklist if they have done the relevant exam and any relevant medical issues are being addressed, a doc for hire should not be willing to sign the form (although clearly some don't read this part).  In fact, the only doc who could be in a position to sign off on BasicMed would be your PCP (or a specialist who covers a large part of your treatment, I suppose).  Like I said, you need a good working relationship with your PCP.  If you don't, I'd recommend getting a 3rd class medical.

[RobertGary1]

There is a retired doctor on the field here that signs basic meds. People go to him to avoid getting their personal doctor involved. I still keep my class 2. 

-Robert 

[Piloto]

6 minutes ago, RobertGary1 said:

There is a retired doctor on the field here that signs basic meds. People go to him to avoid getting their personal doctor involved. I still keep my class 2. 

-Robert 

On what field? Name and telephone Number?

[Hank]

On 10/5/2018 at 8:05 AM, Hank said:

I just gave AOPA's information package to my doctor for review. Will reporr back soon with results, as I'm due one way or another this month.

My doc said he couldn't do it, no equipment to test vision or hearing. AOPA kindly forwarded the hearing section from the AME Guide, and I volunteered to fetch a report from my eye doctor. Still no go, he has no way to test hearing, apparently unable to discern that facing away from me and speaking in a soft voice is an effective test . . . .

So I got the AOPA Basic Med package back from him (16 page color PowerPoint printout) and stopped in at the local urgent care on the way home yesterday. They had no problem other than it being closing time, so I went back this morning and knocked it out. Lots of time waiting in Exam Room 3, but was out in about an hour for $60. It was almost 5 miles from work versus at least 40 to the nearest AME, half the price and lasts twice as long. Win win!

Now I have two weeks to take the online course and print out my certificate, at which point it goes "in my logbook" instead of in the plane with me. Retake the online course every two years, hit Urgent Care every four. I lose the ability to fly planes more than twice the weight of my C that carry way more people, and can no longer strap on an oxygen tank and search for my service ceiling. Then again, I've had my C to 15,000 msl on a hot August day and later calculated that DA was 18,800 and don't really care to go there again . . . .

[Mooney-Mark]

I did BasicMed with my primary care physician last year during my regular annual physical. No problem, it was a piece of cake! I would highly recommend it if you have a PCP who you see on a regular basis.

[RobertGary1]

If I did it I’d use a DOT dr that signs truck driver medicals. Not a chance is hell Id let my personal dr be apart of this. 

-Robert