Finding a Basic Med doc

Ed Haywood

Ed Haywood

Final Approach
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OK, I think I'm going this route rather than spin the Wheel of Fortune by going for a Class III renewal.

My primary care doc is at a military facility, so I doubt she can sign off. How do I go about finding someone who can?
 
The first Urgent Care clinic I went to, within walking distance of my house, was happy to do my Basic Med exam and sign off on the paperwork, even though I was the first person who'd asked for such a thing. I dropped off the "what does the physician need to do" paperwork package that I printed off the web so the doc could look at it, and he called me the next day and said, "Sure, I can take care of you." (Or probably someone from the office called and relayed that message. It was a couple years ago.)
 
Jim_R said:
The first Urgent Care clinic I went to, within walking distance of my house, was happy to do my Basic Med exam and sign off on the paperwork, even though I was the first person who'd asked for such a thing. I dropped off the "what does the physician need to do" paperwork package that I printed off the web so the doc could look at it, and he called me the next day and said, "Sure, I can take care of you." (Or probably someone from the office called and relayed that message. It was a couple years ago.)
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That’s the way to do it. So many have gone to doctors expecting them to understand BasicMed and expected them to simply sign off on a multi-page government form they have never seen before.
 
midlifeflyer said:
That’s the way to do it. So many have gone to doctors expecting them to understand BasicMed and expected them to simply sign off on a multi-page government form they have never seen before.
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Username checks out.

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Go to your local Urgent Care, take the Basic Med paperwork, and ask if they would do this. Similar to a DOT physical in some ways.

Got mine updated last Spring at an Urgent Care 1/2 mile from home. I think I paid $75 dollars out of pocket, and it would cost you even less if you have money in your FSA account to use.

BONUS: When it comes to the "Annal Exam", have the doctor write "Deferred". I've had that in both of my Basic Meds.
 
Jim_R said:
The first Urgent Care clinic I went to, within walking distance of my house, was happy to do my Basic Med exam and sign off on the paperwork, even though I was the first person who'd asked for such a thing. I dropped off the "what does the physician need to do" paperwork package that I printed off the web so the doc could look at it, and he called me the next day and said, "Sure, I can take care of you." (Or probably someone from the office called and relayed that message. It was a couple years ago.)
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I did this exactly, this year during my annual physical. They had never heard of it but after reading the "what does the physician need to do" booklet, that I sent them several weeks before my appt, said no problem at all and I walked out with the completed paperwork. Much easier than I thought it was gonna be.
 
My AME also does pre-employment physicals/DOT physicals as well. BM was not a problem. I suppose similar practicing physicians can be found in any reasonably sized metro area. LFT in my case.
 
Odd, but I found that the most reluctant / out right said no to doing Basic Med were AMEs.
 
WDD said:
Odd, but I found that the most reluctant / out right said no to doing Basic Med were AMEs.
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An AME who is doing FAA flight physicals exclusively, without a regular practice, might not be carrying malpractice insurance, or may have very limited coverage, since any risk is borne by the FAA.
 
WDD said:
Odd, but I found that the most reluctant / out right said no to doing Basic Med were AMEs.
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Me too. To the point my ex AME flat out said he was of the opinion that BM was a political move to get people (mainly a certain Senator) flying who couldn't otherwise pass a 3rd class. I reminded him that he's passed me 5 times, and that my health wasn't an issue. Still wouldn't support it. Another local AME/ cosmetic surgeon said his malpractice insurance wouldn't allow it. Fortunately found one who will do Basic, but it's a bit of a drive.

Sure wish AOPA would start some kind of program to get more docs on board.
 
Ed Haywood said:
OK, I think I'm going this route rather than spin the Wheel of Fortune by going for a Class III renewal.

My primary care doc is at a military facility, so I doubt she can sign off. How do I go about finding someone who can?
Click to expand...
Your military primary care physician can sign it off. Other options will be the Occ Health clinic at the MTF, although they may only see active-duty and GS civilians.

As others have suggested, if your PCM is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the program, I would send give them some read-ahead material. Shouldn't be an issue. If you happen to be seen at a Navy MTF and they have any questions or concerns, I'm happy to discuss with them. PM me directly if you need that help.
 
AvNavCom said:
Your military primary care physician can sign it off. Other options will be the Occ Health clinic at the MTF, although they may only see active-duty and GS civilians.

As others have suggested, if your PCM is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the program, I would send give them some read-ahead material. Shouldn't be an issue. If you happen to be seen at a Navy MTF and they have any questions or concerns, I'm happy to discuss with them. PM me directly if you need that help.
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Awesome, thanks for clarifying that!
 
Ed Haywood said:
OK, I think I'm going this route rather than spin the Wheel of Fortune by going for a Class III renewal.

My primary care doc is at a military facility, so I doubt she can sign off. How do I go about finding someone who can?
Click to expand...
I had a doc who was a military facility do my first basic med. No issues.
 
WDD said:
Go to your local Urgent Care, take the Basic Med paperwork, and ask if they would do this. Similar to a DOT physical in some ways.

Got mine updated last Spring at an Urgent Care 1/2 mile from home. I think I paid $75 dollars out of pocket, and it would cost you even less if you have money in your FSA account to use.

BONUS: When it comes to the "Annal Exam", have the doctor write "Deferred". I've had that in both of my Basic Meds.
Click to expand...

Has this Deferred strategy been tested in an insurance claim? I've been wondering where that line gets drawn.

I assume it would be bad faith to deny a claim unless my anus was directly responsible for the incident. Still, not really keen to play stupid games with insurance companies :D
 
schmookeeg said:
Has this Deferred strategy been tested in an insurance claim? I've been wondering where that line gets drawn.
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I believe that Not Indicated By History (NIBH) is better than "deferred" since it's a positive statement that suggests medical decision-making, rather than a fancy word for "I didn't do it".

The old joke in the medical world is that WNL (within normal limits) actually means "we never looked". :D
 
Half Fast said:
An AME who is doing FAA flight physicals exclusively, without a regular practice, might not be carrying malpractice insurance, or may have very limited coverage, since any risk is borne by the FAA.
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My AME was initially excited about Basic Med. He stopped doing it because, in his words, every pilot who can't to him for Basic Med had done problem they were trying to avoid telling the FAA about. He didn't want the liability of putting them in the air. (Full disclosure: I went to him for Basic Med and left with an FAA medical.)
 
Lindberg said:
My AME was initially excited about Basic Med. He stopped doing it because, in his words, every pilot who can't to him for Basic Med had done problem they were trying to avoid telling the FAA about. He didn't want the liability of putting them in the air. (Full disclosure: I went to him for Basic Med and left with an FAA medical.)
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Well, sure, but the real question is whether those folks were unfit to fly. If I had, for instance, diabetes and it was well controlled and my doc said I could fly safely, why would I want to deal with OKC bureaucrats? I would “avoid telling the FAA” by going with Basic, but that wouldn’t mean I shouldn’t be flying.
 
bonefishpete said:
A lot of DOT physical exam doctors do Basic Med also.
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I hope this isn’t a foolish question, but is there a chance they wouldn’t even know what basic med is, even if they were qualified? I’m a CDL holder so I’ll ask next time I get my DOT physical.
 
Many facilities that do DOT also do Basic Med, but indeed not all are aware of it/ do it so need to ask. If not aware, show them the exam form and instructions and ask.

BONUS: I think some states allow a PA, NP, etc to do DOT. Basic Med requires an MD sign. Thus, you need to ask about the credentials of the doctor who will be signing as well.
 
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WDD said:
Many facilities that do DOT also do Basic Med, but indeed not all are aware of it/ do it so need to ask. If not aware, show them the exam form and instructions and ask.

BONUS: I think some states allow a PA, NP, etc to do DOT. Basic Med requires an MD sign. Thus, you need to ask about the credentials of the doctor who will be signing as well.
Click to expand...
To be completely accurate regarding BasicMed…BM Comprehensive medical exams must be completed by a “stat-licensed physician.” In all cases that includes MDs and DOs, but some state licensing boards consider Chiropractors (DCs) to be physicians, and allow BasicMed exams within the scope of practice of DCs. I believe this is the case in about 20 or so states. But as you noted, NPs and PAs may never administer an exam (but, like nurses, they may assist).
 
DMD3. said:
I hope this isn’t a foolish question, but is there a chance they wouldn’t even know what basic med is, even if they were qualified? I’m a CDL holder so I’ll ask next time I get my DOT physical.
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Maybe you missed these contributions to the thread:

Jim_R said:
The first Urgent Care clinic I went to, within walking distance of my house, was happy to do my Basic Med exam and sign off on the paperwork, even though I was the first person who'd asked for such a thing. I dropped off the "what does the physician need to do" paperwork package that I printed off the web so the doc could look at it, and he called me the next day and said, "Sure, I can take care of you." (Or probably someone from the office called and relayed that message. It was a couple years ago.)
Click to expand...

midlifeflyer said:
That’s the way to do it. So many have gone to doctors expecting them to understand BasicMed and expected them to simply sign off on a multi-page government form they have never seen before.
Click to expand...

WDD said:
Go to your local Urgent Care, take the Basic Med paperwork, and ask if they would do this. Similar to a DOT physical in some ways.

Got mine updated last Spring at an Urgent Care 1/2 mile from home. I think I paid $75 dollars out of pocket, and it would cost you even less if you have money in your FSA account to use.
Click to expand...

Hypie said:
I did this exactly, this year during my annual physical. They had never heard of it but after reading the "what does the physician need to do" booklet, that I sent them several weeks before my appt, said no problem at all and I walked out with the completed paperwork. Much easier than I thought it was gonna be.
Click to expand...

AvNavCom said:
As others have suggested, if your PCM is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the program, I would send give them some read-ahead material. Shouldn't be an issue. If you happen to be seen at a Navy MTF and they have any questions or concerns, I'm happy to discuss with them. PM me directly if you need that help.
Click to expand...

If they don't know what Basic Med is, just give them the info (specifically pp. 3-7 and this form) and ask them if they'll do it.
 
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