BasicMed

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Laura Zehm

Filing Flight Plan
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Mar 6, 2022
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LauraZ
It is time for my medical renewal. What has been your experience with BasicMed and do you recommend moving to this?
 
If you can live with the limitations imposed by BasicMed I'd do it. I recommend to my flight clients that are just flying for personal reasons to consider it. It's enable several students lately to get a BasicMed, flight review, & fly again.
 
I’ve been BasicMed for over 7 years. I fly multiple aircraft and instruct about as much as I want. The only limitation that affects me in even a tiny way is inability to fly into Canada. (Tiny because I don’t need to go there but it would be nice if I could).

But the answer depends on your missions, your flying, and no one but you knows the answer.
 
Laura Zehm said:
It is time for my medical renewal. What has been your experience with BasicMed and do you recommend moving to this?
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BasicMed is a no-brainer for most GA pilots. I went BasicMed back in 2022 and haven't looked back. Returning to a FAA flight physical always remains an option, but I doubt I'll exercise it.

As the folks above said, take a look at the limitations and decide to what extent your flying falls within them.
 
I went BasicMed as soon as it was approved --haven't looked back as the limitations have no impact on my flying.
 
midlifeflyer said:
I’ve been BasicMed for over 7 years. I fly multiple aircraft and instruct about as much as I want. The only limitation that affects me in even a tiny way is inability to fly into Canada. (Tiny because I don’t need to go there but it would be nice if I could).

But the answer depends on your missions, your flying, and no one but you knows the answer.
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BasicMed will be adequate once Canada becomes our 51st state ;-)
 
I had been thinking MOSAIC was the bomb. Then I figured out that all night flying was verboten.

I’m doing the BasicMed paperwork now. Visiting the doctor tomorrow
 
BasicMed since 2021, not going back to an FAA medical unless I buy a kerosene burner.
 
midlifeflyer said:
I’ve been BasicMed for over 7 years. I fly multiple aircraft and instruct about as much as I want. The only limitation that affects me in even a tiny way is inability to fly into Canada. (Tiny because I don’t need to go there but it would be nice if I could).

But the answer depends on your missions, your flying, and no one but you knows the answer.
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Pretty much what I do, I went to Basic med about 2 years ago. Probably should have done so sooner. I can instruct as much as I wan't. I don't have much desire to do international flights.
Only reason on waited to switch as long as I did was I was considering going back to a 2nd Class Medical. But the reality is in the past 10 years I can probably count on one hand how many flights I had to turn down because I didn't have a 2nd class medical.
If the need comes up I might still eventually pursue a 2nd class medical, but for now Basic med lets me do everything I want to do.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL
 
BasicMed here too...it just makes sense to me. I would have no problem going back to a 2nd or 3rd class medical if necessary, but as long as BasicMed meets my needs why bother?
 
The hardest thing for me going BasicMed was finding a doctor to do it. My PCP 7 years ago did it after I beat him down for a year or two. Now that I'm getting back in the game again I haven't been able to find a Dr. to do it. Lucky for me, my current PCP is retiring this month. I made one last attempt to sway him to sign off before he retires and now I have an appointment Friday. lol. BasicMed meets my needs quite well.
 
gdwindowpane said:
The hardest thing for me going BasicMed was finding a doctor to do it. My PCP 7 years ago did it after I beat him down for a year or two. Now that I'm getting back in the game again I haven't been able to find a Dr. to do it. Lucky for me, my current PCP is retiring this month. I made one last attempt to sway him to sign off before he retires and now I have an appointment Friday. lol. BasicMed meets my needs quite well.
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My retirement plan is to open up a combined FAA AME and Basic Med shop in NoVA. Crazy to me that people are having a hard time getting BasicMed signed off.
 
AvNavCom said:
My retirement plan is to open up a combined FAA AME and Basic Med shop in NoVA. Crazy to me that people are having a hard time getting BasicMed signed off.
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When Basic Med first came out, lots of postings here about certain big HMOs, etc. I walked into my GPs office with the paperwork and had practiced my argument...nah, he'd already done a dozen of them by the time I came in. I'm fortunate that my GP is a retired USAF Flight Surgeon.

With Dr B as backup, just in case. Now if I could just find the time to do more flying.....
 
murphey said:
I'm fortunate that my GP is a retired USAF Flight Surgeon.
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I think that's the key. Those of us who have been military flight surgeons tend to have a better relationship with aviators than standard docs, and we're more comfortable figuring out the difference between aviator white-lies and safety-of-flight lies. :D
 
AvNavCom said:
My retirement plan is to open up a combined FAA AME and Basic Med shop in NoVA. Crazy to me that people are having a hard time getting BasicMed signed off.
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Have you discussed it with your malpractice insurance carrier? I had the same plan until MedPro said they wouldn't renew me if I had a single claim. Not a loss, mind you; a claim. That's been a while ago, so maybe they've gained some experience and changed their minds. Or maybe I happened upon one particularly difficult underwriter.
 
OneCharlieTango said:
Have you discussed it with your malpractice insurance carrier? I had the same plan until MedPro said they wouldn't renew me if I had a single claim. Not a loss, mind you; a claim. That's been a while ago, so maybe they've gained some experience and changed their minds. Or maybe I happened upon one particularly difficult underwriter.
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I haven't yet left the warm loving embrace of military aviation medicine, so the harsh realities of civilian liability may put the kibosh on my plan. But in the meantime, it's a happy, sunny dream for the future. I know the guys who started Wingman Med. They are probably doing the smartest option. Haha!
 
I have an SI for a mental health condition and refuse to do BasicMed because it requires stripping for the exam (and to head off all the comments, no, I do not have a prostate). I'll continue to take my chances with the FAA.
 
TCABM said:
BasicMed requires no such thing, even/especially if you’re referring to items 8, 9, or 11 or whatever the number for tattoos is.
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It most certainly does, under section 9. Yes, we all know the FAA form has the same and AMEs never do it, but you can also read the threads here where MDs have required it for BasicMed "because it's on the form."
 
Anonymous said:
It most certainly does, under section 9. Yes, we all know the FAA form has the same and AMEs never do it, but you can also read the threads here where MDs have required it for BasicMed "because it's on the form."
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I read all sorts of things on the Internet, including AMEs who take a peek. But I've never had to undress for an FAA exam, and my PCP who does my Basic Med exam doesn't even make me take my pants off for an annual physical. OTOH, I've been exposed in front of myriad medical professionals, which bothers me little since I've got nothing special. YMMV
 
Anonymous said:
I have an SI for a mental health condition and refuse to do BasicMed because it requires stripping for the exam (and to head off all the comments, no, I do not have a prostate). I'll continue to take my chances with the FAA.
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Huh? I've been BasicMed for 7 years and get my exam every two years rather than four, and I haven't a clue what you are talking about.
 
Anonymous said:
It most certainly does, under section 9. Yes, we all know the FAA form has the same and AMEs never do it, but you can also read the threads here where MDs have required it for BasicMed "because it's on the form."
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1. MedXpress does not specify anus, but it does ask about Stomach, liver, or intestinal trouble. The Guide for AMEs covers exam techniques though. That specifically states visual or digital rectal exam is not required unless indicated by past medical history or symptoms and my be performed at the discretion of the examiner and applicant.

2. I can’t speak to others’ experience, only mine. My PCM has never required any disrobing for any of my BasicMed exams. Of course that may be due to having an established relationship with my PCM and if I went to a DOT doc-in-a-box my experience may be different however I would have no problems questioning and educating a physician that asked me to disrobe for a BasicMed exam. On top of that, I would also have no problem walking out in a doc that insisted since there’s exactly zero consequences to do so.

3. Your life, your choice, but the fact remains it is not a requirement to disrobe for a BasicMed exam.
 
TCABM said:
1. MedXpress does not specify anus, but it does ask about Stomach, liver, or intestinal trouble. The Guide for AMEs covers exam techniques though. That specifically states visual or digital rectal exam is not required unless indicated by past medical history or symptoms and my be performed at the discretion of the examiner and applicant.
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My PCP is in the current group of physicians who discounts digitals exam as a valid indicator of prostrate issues. I knew in advance that she would balk at that one. So I brought her a copy of the AME Guide statement about it.

That's not the only one. Whisper test for hearing. No color vision test needed since it's been done in connection with my previous third and second class medicals (and she's done it previously). Now, my PCP might very well want to go beyond that - it's really my annual checkup - but I'm letting letting her know she has a choice.

I've said this before: Our non-aviation-savvy physicians know medicine. They don't know and we can't expect them to know what the FAA says about the examinations they want. Its our job to educate them.
 
midlifeflyer said:
They don't know and we can't expect them to know what the FAA says about the examinations they want. Its our job to educate them.
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As far as Basic Med goes, what the FAA might want is completely immaterial. Basic is NOT an FAA medical. That's what we might need to educate doctors about. There should be no fear of running afoul of the FAA.
 
I'm fairly confident that genuine, practicing docs did not help write 8700-2. It does indeed ask for an "exam of the anus," and a "GU exam." I literally cannot for the life of me think of a screenable anorectal disorder that could cause an in flight pilot incapacitation.

I'm pretty sure the A in IMSAFE does not stand for self Anorectal check prior to flight. Most providers would likely take a liberal interpretation of this and not necessarily do a detailed exam. Though, there are docs that are very rigid in their interpretation and maybe write, "exam not indicated, deferred," or similar and/or would offer the exam. But most probably just ask the patient if they had any issues in the anorectal or gu area "when you're going to the bathroom or in the shower," and if the answer was no, the box would be checked. I can discreetly check for a hernia through the gown even if you have your underwear on. I might miss a small hernia that isn't causing symptoms, but this wouldn't disqualify you anyway.

On the other hand, it would drive me crazy when patients would refuse to at least put on a gown for a standard PE. No you don't have to take off your undergarments, but it's really quite difficult to do a decent exam if your overalls, flannel shirt and jacket never come off. I do think some docs exams are so cursory that they probably don't meet the spirit, as well as the letter of the law...
 
Mark K said:
…I'm pretty sure the A in IMSAFE does not stand for self Anorectal check prior to flight. …...
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I’ve met some pilots that are real a-holes, so you might be wrong in that assumption.
 
OneCharlieTango said:
The only flight physical I've ever had that involved a hernia check was a Class III.

"I refuse to go to a doctor for an exam because the doctor will examine me" is kind of an odd thing to say, Anon.
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Why does a doctor need to see my anus to determine fitness for flight when an AME never has? "I need to examine you" is exactly what the doctor who assaulted me said, FYI.

(By the way, not everyone has a PCP who can do the exam.)
 
Anonymous said:
Why does a doctor need to see my anus to determine fitness for flight when an AME never has? "I need to examine you" is exactly what the doctor who assaulted me said, FYI.

(By the way, not everyone has a PCP who can do the exam.)
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Most posters here have told you that no one looked at their anus during the basic med exam. Is you're the same anon who's posted that your great is keeping you from flying, I hope you'll seek out a doctor like that. Maybe your PCP can recommend a GP she trusts.
 
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