Is a CMEC valid if not all boxes are checked by Dr?

Charlie Golf

Charlie Golf

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Yes, my name is Charlie.
At my annual physical, I asked my doc to complete the BasicMed paperwork as he had done before. When I got it back, he didn't check the box for #9 (anus) and #22 (anything else he considered necessary)

He knew I saw the urologist a week prior for the "finger of friendship" checkup, so I assume that's why he didn't mark off number 9. I assume I'll need to have him check the boxes to be official...what a pain in the butt. :lol:
 
When my doctor filled it out a few years ago, he looked at the list and said "I'm not checking your anus!"

I thanked him, and that was the, um, end of it.
 
Half Fast said:
What difference does it make? You don’t have to submit the CMEC to anywhere other than your own logbook, and it’s really the doctor’s signed attestation that matters anyway.
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That's actually my opinion as well, but I'm just considering if there was a reason for my credentials to be examined.
 
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Charlie Golf said:
At my annual physical, I asked my doc to complete the BasicMed paperwork as he had done before. When I got it back, he didn't check the box for #9 (anus) and #22 (anything else he considered necessary)
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My doctor knew I was an a--hole, so she just checked the box and went on.
 
Seems obvious...if the doc signed it off he was comfortable with your health status, don't over think it. IMHO.
 
Charlie Golf said:
When my doctor filled it out a few years ago, he looked at the list and said "I'm not checking your anus!"

I thanked him, and that was the, um, end of it.
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I have never had an AME check my anus for a medical certificate either. One did ask me if I had an anus.
 
Per the regulations, your basic med is invalid. The form and examination was not completed per 68.5.

61.23 says you must receive a comprehensive medical examination from a State-licensed physician during the 48 calendar months before acting as pilot in command. You possess an incomplete form as a record of an incomplete medical examination signed by a physician.


68.5 is very specific, The physician must

(1) Conduct the medical examination in accordance with the checklist set forth in § 68.7,
(2) Check each item specified during the examination; and
(3) Address, as medically appropriate, every medical condition listed and any medications the individual is taking.

Would the FAA violate you for this? What would happen in a personal injury lawsuit? Who knows.

I can see an attorney arguing the accident was your fault because you couldn’t fart properly.
 
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Frankly, the only thing that should matter is that the physician signed it. The declaration right above says they've run the list and hadn't found anything contrary to safe flight.
 
flyingron said:
Frankly, the only thing that should matter is that the physician signed it. The declaration right above says they've run the list and hadn't found anything contrary to safe flight.
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Except you know that declaration is false and you are required to receive a comprehensive exam.
 
flyingron said:
No, you don't. The statement says she completed the examination, not that she decided to tick boxes as she went along.
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Agreed. The signature is what ultimately matters.

Besides, exactly what examination is that particular checklist item supposed to require, anyway?
 
Clip4 said:
Except you know that declaration is false and you are required to receive a comprehensive exam.
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The same block is on the Class 1/2/3 and in 40 years no one has ever checked my bung hole. Are you suggesting every AME did it wrong? And if so, what's your recommended remedy?
 
flyingron said:
No, you don't. The statement says she completed the examination, not that she decided to tick boxes as she went along.
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So you went to a medical exam, kept your pant up and think the doc did both an exam for hernia and rectum and just didn’t check those pesky boxes?

What’s next, a flight review when you never flew with the CFI and got a signature.
 
Clip4 said:
So you went to a medical exam, kept your pant up and think the doc did both an exam for hernia and rectum and just didn’t check those pesky boxes?

What’s next, a flight review when you never flew with the CFI and got a signature.
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You're not reading what I wrote. Nowhere does it say they have to tick the boxes. The declaeration that the physician signs only states that they completed the examination as stated.

It would be, by your analogy, if the CFI wrote that he performed the necessary flight and ground instruction and found you competent.

If the CFI didn't do the instrucion or the doctor didn't do the examination, that's one thing, but they swore they did by signing the form/endorsement.
 
My BasicMed form has all the required boxes checked, though I’m fairly certain I didn’t receive an anal exam. Can a physician make his determination based on other factors and symptoms without a direct visual inspection? I would think yes. The only item unchecked on my form is “Anything else the physician, in his or her medical judgment, considers necessary.” Does that mean the doctor believes there are factors, or that there aren’t? I think we are overanalyzing all this. What ultimately matters is the physician’s signature beneath the final statement: “In accordance with section blah blah I certify ...”
 
sarangan said:
Can a physician make his determination based on other factors and symptoms without a direct visual inspection?
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This is the most vague item on the form. What exactly is the physician supposed to inspect? There's no direction whatsoever. Is the doc supposed to confirm the anus exists? That the pilot's head isn't inserted into it? What?! This is not a requirement for a prostate check, or for hemorrhoids, or anything else as far as I can tell.

I've had two Basic Med exams. In both cases, the physicians said, "Anus. Yep, it's there," and checked the box.
 
sarangan said:
Can a physician make his determination based on other factors and symptoms without a direct visual inspection? I would think yes.
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The AME Guide says it can be answered based on patient history.

When I went for my first BasicMed, I knew how my PCP would react to that item. So I brought her that part of the Guide. My working theory on BasicMed exams with one’s regular physician is, they know medicine; it’s my job to educate them on the aviation connection.
 
You might also remind your urologist that the finger up the butt isn't really the standard for diagnosing prostate cancer anymore. Or maybe he just enjoys it.
 
The cmec checklist for basic med literally reads “Anus:
(not including digital examination)”
A few lines below it asks about scars, tattoos etc. the practitioner can “examine” without needing to physically touch.
 
SFDukie said:
The cmec checklist for basic med literally reads “Anus:
(not including digital examination)”
A few lines below it asks about scars, tattoos etc. the practitioner can “examine” without needing to physically touch.
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What the heck are they looking for?
Maybe someone put it in as a joke, and it stayed. I've seen that.
 
It should be noted that this list is an archaic thing that comes straight off the back of the old 8500-8 (the doctor's side). The AME had an "anus" box as well (probably still does).
 
Clip4 said:
Would the FAA violate you for this? What would happen in a personal injury lawsuit? Who knows.

I can see an attorney arguing the accident was your fault because you couldn’t fart properly.
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Would your insurance company consider you flying without a medical (Basic Med or otherwise), and refuse coverage in an accident?
 
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