online medical application

[ScottK]

I was informed today that as of October, the medical "form" is now exclusively online. Has anyone used this recently? Are there any tricks to it?

I'm assuming this is set up something like the IACRA was. This is my first time around at the 2 year window. Does the AME print something out to submit or is it all done electronically? I have additional paperwork from other doctors...do I mail that separately?

Any help would be great.

Scott

 

[John221us]

Request your login at least a day before the appointment (it is not issued automatically).

 

[AggieMike88]

Did mine early October with no problems whatsoever

A few important tips:

Review ALL of the questions on the MedXpress form and make sure if any of the boxes in 18 are checked yes, you are fully informed what to obtain to explain the situation and make the AME's job a yawn. DO NOT GO IN UNPREPARED.


A very important tip. After completing the MedXpress form online, you will be presented with the "Confirmation Code" that the AME uses to find your form in the database. You will also be given the chance to print out (and save) the PDF file.

1. Print out this PDF File
2. Cut off the confirmation code that appears at the bottom of both pages
3. Carry this code in your pocket or wallet.
4. When you go to the AME's office, hand him (or staff) the PDF printout only. Do not hand over the code.
5. Allow the doctor to conduct the exam based on the information on the PDF printout.
6. If the doctor says he is able and willing to issue your certificate right then and there, that's when you hand over the code.
7. If the doctor says there is something that prevents him from issuing you certificate, do not hand over the code.

The point is that while you have the code in your possession, the examination is considered a consultation and not an "all or nothing" event. If the AME finds a show stopper, you have the chance to deal with it without the FAA officially knowing of the problem until you have a chance to figure out the problem and bring whatever the FAA will want to see to make it a "non-problem". You cannot be deferred or worse, denied, while in consultative mode and in possession of the code in your pocket.

Only until you surrender code is the exam official. And only do that once the AME has said he will issue you the certificate.

If he refuses to conduct the exam without the code first. Find another AME.

 

[BillTIZ]

Did mine early October with no problems whatsoever

A few important tips:

Review ALL of the questions on the MedXpress form and make sure if any of the boxes in 18 are checked yes, you are fully informed what to obtain to explain the situation and make the AME's job a yawn. DO NOT GO IN UNPREPARED.


A very important tip. After completing the MedXpress form online, you will be presented with the "Confirmation Code" that the AME uses to find your form in the database. You will also be given the chance to print out (and save) the PDF file.

1. Print out this PDF File
2. Cut off the confirmation code that appears at the bottom of both pages
3. Carry this code in your pocket or wallet.
4. When you go to the AME's office, hand him (or staff) the PDF printout only. Do not hand over the code.
5. Allow the doctor to conduct the exam based on the information on the PDF printout.
6. If the doctor says he is able and willing to issue your certificate right then and there, that's when you hand over the code.
7. If the doctor says there is something that prevents him from issuing you certificate, do not hand over the code.

The point is that while you have the code in your possession, the examination is considered a consultation and not an "all or nothing" event. If the AME finds a show stopper, you have the chance to deal with it without the FAA officially knowing of the problem until you have a chance to figure out the problem and bring whatever the FAA will want to see to make it a "non-problem". You cannot be deferred or worse, denied, while in consultative mode and in possession of the code in your pocket.

Only until you surrender code is the exam official. And only do that once the AME has said he will issue you the certificate.

If he refuses to conduct the exam without the code first. Find another AME.

I've used medexpress at least twice, no problems.
I've never heard this recommendation about withholding the code until the AME agrees that there is no issue.

 

[ajstoner21]

I can not agree more with Mike. I recently renewed my Class 3 medical without any problems. "Know before you go", and if you "know", Just make sure you fill out and submit the form before your appointment.

I also did not hear about holding out on the confirmation code before, but sounds reasonable.

Do not lie on the form, but if you make a mistake, do not worry, the AME should be able to correct it for you.

Did mine early October with no problems whatsoever

A few important tips:

Review ALL of the questions on the MedXpress form and make sure if any of the boxes in 18 are checked yes, you are fully informed what to obtain to explain the situation and make the AME's job a yawn. DO NOT GO IN UNPREPARED.


A very important tip. After completing the MedXpress form online, you will be presented with the "Confirmation Code" that the AME uses to find your form in the database. You will also be given the chance to print out (and save) the PDF file.

1. Print out this PDF File
2. Cut off the confirmation code that appears at the bottom of both pages
3. Carry this code in your pocket or wallet.
4. When you go to the AME's office, hand him (or staff) the PDF printout only. Do not hand over the code.
5. Allow the doctor to conduct the exam based on the information on the PDF printout.
6. If the doctor says he is able and willing to issue your certificate right then and there, that's when you hand over the code.
7. If the doctor says there is something that prevents him from issuing you certificate, do not hand over the code.

The point is that while you have the code in your possession, the examination is considered a consultation and not an "all or nothing" event. If the AME finds a show stopper, you have the chance to deal with it without the FAA officially knowing of the problem until you have a chance to figure out the problem and bring whatever the FAA will want to see to make it a "non-problem". You cannot be deferred or worse, denied, while in consultative mode and in possession of the code in your pocket.

Only until you surrender code is the exam official. And only do that once the AME has said he will issue you the certificate.

If he refuses to conduct the exam without the code first. Find another AME.

 

[AggieMike88]

I've used medexpress at least twice, no problems.
I've never heard this recommendation about withholding the code until the AME agrees that there is no issue.

It's a recommendation Bruce has put forth since it was announced that the paper form was going away. (Late summer?)

Once the AME downloads the online info using the code, the exam goes live and it becomes an "approve or deny" situation. And we all agree that a denial can/will lead to loss of all including LSA priviledges.

If the code is never imputed by the AME, the existing info you inputted will evaporate in 60-90 days. Giving you any needed window of time to address any thing that would have been a show stopper.

Bruce will likely explain it better when he logs in later.

 

[bbchien]

I've used medexpress at least twice, no problems.
I've never heard this recommendation about withholding the code until the AME agrees that there is no issue.

Depends on your AME, Bill. If you have a long relations hip and he is good with "problems", let 'em just have it. But if you bomb on into some situation for which you have not done the research, I'd be witholding the code.

 

[stovdomnl]

That's a good information it will help me.

 

[AggieMike88]

That's a good information it will help me.

Welcome to PoA!!

For your medical, before you go, know with 100% certainty that you going to pass. If you're not sure, Dr. Bruce and this forum are good resources to find out what is needed so you can pass.

 

[BillTIZ]

Depends on your AME, Bill. If you have a long relations hip and he is good with "problems", let 'em just have it. But if you bomb on into some situation for which you have not done the research, I'd be witholding the code.

Thanks Doc!

 

[bluesky74656]

So, I went in for my medical today to a new AME and withheld the code. This is the first exam I've had to do since MedXpress became required. The doctor came in and said that he was missing the code. I said that I had been advised to not give the code out until the exam was completed. He said that he couldn't even start the exam without the code because he couldn't print off the part of the form he needs without it. So, I gave it to him, he went and printed what he needed, came back and asked why exactly I thought I was going to get denied or deferred, which then put me on the defensive.

So not only did this advice not work for me, it sort of backfired. He ended up issuing with no problem, but there was a minute or so where I had to explain that I wasn't trying to hide anything from him.

 

[bbchien]

Depends on your AME, Bill. If you have a long relations hip and he is good with "problems", let 'em just have it. But if you bomb on into some situation for which you have not done the research, I'd be witholding the code.

Todd, I'm glad you were adroit enough to finess the situation.

Well, like I said, it depends on your AME. Sigh. I'm glad you got issued. "Mexican Standoff".

We are supposed to possess the MedXpress when we do the exam. But the PDF is the medxpress. The problem with the AME download is that you are committed at that moment. I SHOULD add that if your exam is uncomplicated, no reason to withold the code....ANY AME can do the uncomplicated one. Trouble is, when you don't know the guy well enough and he won't discuss a situation(s) BEFORE going on record.

Sigh. There really isn't any universal advice for this as Todd's experience shows. There are a lotta AMEs out there who just want to do the exam and send it in, no matter what you've got. Consultation is just not in their lexicon.

If he doesn't say, "do you need advice" then you know this is not the guy to go to when you have an issue.

.....sigh.....

 

[Swampfox201]

I like the online application. With the old system you showed up for your AME appointment, started to fill out the application in the waiting room and then it hits you that there is something on the list that might be disqualifying OR you have something you need to report and you forget to report it.

With the online version you get to fill out the form in the comfort of your own home with plenty of time to get your ducks in a row before the appointment. I suggest NOT waiting until the night before to fill it out.

Because I reviewed the application before I even made an appointment I discovered something that might be a problem. I contacted Dr. Bruce and he graciously walked me through the procedure to make things right. Thank you Dr Bruce! I showed up for my appointment and I did not cut off the code. What I did was ask the AME if we could discuss something before I handed him the application. He said that was fine and I told him of the issue and the info I had from my Dr about how it was corrected. He said I was fine so I handed him the application and code and away we went. If he would of said "we have a problem" I would NOT of gave him my info.

As far as filling out the online application the only trouble I had was when I entered in my flight hours I entered in "544.5". I kept getting an error and soon discovered it didn't like tenths. "544" did the trick.

Todd

 

[ScottK]

I like the online application. With the old system you showed up for your AME appointment, started to fill out the application in the waiting room and then it hits you that there is something on the list that might be disqualifying OR you have something you need to report and you forget to report it.

With the online version you get to fill out the form in the comfort of your own home with plenty of time to get your ducks in a row before the appointment. I suggest NOT waiting until the night before to fill it out

I'd like to report that all went well. Waiting for my medical to come back (special issuance), but have no reason to think that it wont.

I also liked this online approach better. I was able to get everything lined up first, then fill the thing out. When I got to my appt, I had all my paperwork (extra stuff) ready for the doctor and we breezed right through. He took a couple minutes to submit it while I waited and that was that.

 

[steingar]

The Med Express part was no big deal, though the medical exam itself was harrowing. Just don't lie about anything. The nice thing is you can do the Med Express at home or in your office, where you have access to all the records you need to fill it out.