Two doctors? (one for FAA, one for everything else)

[Rigged4Flight]

A few years ago I read an article by Martha Lunken (Flying! magazine) where she mentioned that it was normal for pilots to have two doctors. One they used for daily care, and one they told the FAA about. The older I get, and the more bumps/bruises/dings I accumulate, the more I think about the logic of what she said.

I'm not trying to say she was advocating that pilots lie to their AME. As she was quick to point out: Don't withhold information or commit fraud on an "official government document," but be very careful about what you "say" on that form.

How many of you maintain two different sets of medical records/doctors? Poll is private.

 

[Fearless Tower]

Well, I have two sets of medical records, but that is largely due to the fact that I am military. So I have my Navy medical record and my FAA record.

For civilians maintaining two different records, the thing to keep in mind is that so much of this stuff is documented electronically now, which means a lot more folks (ie govt) can get access to your records if they want/need to. You'd be surprised how many folks in the military think that they can hide something by going to a civilian doc. They can't.

So if you are doing it to hide something from the FAA, beware. They probably won't notice it..... Until something happens (ATC bust) and they start digging. Then you're screwed.

 

[RotorAndWing]

Well, I have two sets of medical records, but that is largely due to the fact that I am military. So I have my Navy medical record and my FAA record.

For civilians maintaining two different records, the thing to keep in mind is that so much of this stuff is documented electronically now, which means a lot more folks (ie govt) can get access to your records if they want/need to. You'd be surprised how many folks in the military think that they can hide something by going to a civilian doc. They can't.

So if you are doing it to hide something from the FAA, beware. They probably won't notice it..... Until something happens (ATC bust) and they start digging. Then you're screwed.

I've told this story before. While I attended the FAA Academy and was going through the "Enforcement and Compliance" course I meet the attorney for CAMI. I asked him how many cases he works per year and he responded "over 400". I was a bit amazed and he told me "yea, people don't realize just how easy it is to find information these days."

Be careful out there.

 

[Art VanDelay]

My Primary Care Physician does not even know that I'm a pilot. I like it that way.

 

[Rigged4Flight]

I've told this story before. While I attended the FAA Academy and was going through the "Enforcement and Compliance" course I meet the attorney for CAMI. I asked him how many cases he works per year and he responded "over 400". I was a bit amazed and he told me "yea, people don't realize just how easy it is to find information these days."

Be careful out there.

I can imagine.

I'm just now beginning to plan my actual "no ****" training (I have ~7 hours from a few years ago). A guy I work with told me that his primary care physician is also his AME. I can't imagine going to my AME and telling him I have stomach pain or my head hurts or I woke up dizzy. I think I'd like a bit more delay between onset of symptoms and "official" notice to the FAA. Not to keep facts from them. More along the lines of just making sure it's more than the beans and beer from the night before, or a bad case of bad water from a trip south of the border.

 

[Ghery]

Two doctors? I wish I had that few.

AME is retired from his regular practice and FAA medicals are all he does. He's a Senior AME and very good to work with. Plus, he's a member of our flying club and is finally learning to fly. My PCP is the guy I see, at least initially, for everything else. Specialists as needed beyond him. You young guys have it simple.

 

[ClimbnSink]

Better pay cash. Better yet get your primary care under a fake name with a made up SS. Don't be dumb and use your real DOB.

 

[asgcpa]

I have my regular doc that I see for my annuals, and other matters should they arise. I have a WL surgeon I see twice a year. Those are listed on my MedXpress. While my primary doc is a great doc, he does not know the hoops that the FAA has. The AME i go to is then separate as he is in expert in what he does. Advising me in getting the info needed for the FAA medical.

 

[murphey]

Two doctors? I wish I had that few.

AME is retired from his regular practice and FAA medicals are all he does. He's a Senior AME and very good to work with. Plus, he's a member of our flying club and is finally learning to fly. My PCP is the guy I see, at least initially, for everything else. Specialists as needed beyond him. You young guys have it simple.

My world, also. I bring the records of the specialists to the PCP, and he writes the summary letter to the AME. Like the 2 knee surgeries, the PT on the shoulder from falling on the ice almost 3 years ago, etc. My situation is slightly different in that the PCP is an internist whomused to be an AME and when the practice was dissolved, he decided he didn't want to go thru the hassle of getting the new offices blessed by the FAA. He's got more business than he can handle without AME biz. And he's a pilot, too.

 

[Gary F]

My Primary Care Physician does not even know that I'm a pilot. I like it that way.

What happens when he prescribes a forbidden drug?

 

[Everskyward]

What happens when he prescribes a forbidden drug?

Just because a physician knows you are a pilot doesn't mean he or she knows what drugs are on the forbidden list, or anything else relating to flying or certification, for that matter.

 

[Brad Z]

I have two doctors, but not for the purpose of putting up chinese walls. My AME is just my AME...I don't even know what his regular practice is. He replaced my last AME who died of old age (and he was giving FAA medicals a couple days a week right up until the end).

My primary doctor knows my health history, and knows that I'm a pilot and take FAA physicals. She knows not to prescribe anything that could be a problem for the FAA. I take three physicals a year...one with her, one with the Fire Department, and one with the FAA. If nothing else, my health is well documented.

 

[DaleB]

Let's see. My primary care doc is in the same office as the AME I used last time, and the two of them co-own a plane. So yeah, they're separate, but not *that* separate.

Now, however, I'll have a new AME. The old one is semi-retired, and as I'll need some additional work for an SI I decided to switch before finding out just "how retired" he's going to be. I'll still have different docs for non-aviation matters and my FAA medical, but it's a convenience thing and nothing more. If I had a close by guy I trusted who happened to be an AME it would be easier, but there isn't one.

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

I have one doctor. No records get sent to the FAA. The FAA does not know if I am alive or dead. (There are lots of dead people still listed in the database.)

 

[John221us]

Is this seriously a poll on who falsifies their MedXpress form? I guess the surprising thing is that 80% of respondents apparently do.

 

[frfly172]

Use my pcp for all my medical problems,and referrals . We have a good relationship,and he knows I'm a pilot. I guess if we find anything before a flight physical, I will go LSA.

 

[Everskyward]

Is this seriously a poll on who falsifies their MedXpress form? I guess the surprising thing is that 80% of respondents apparently do.

I don't think the poll asks the same question as the title of the thread.

 

[Rigged4Flight]

Is this seriously a poll on who falsifies their MedXpress form? I guess the surprising thing is that 80% of respondents apparently do.

Slow down, princess. Re-read both of my posts in this thread and quote anything I said that mentioned falsifying medical records or keeping information from the FAA.

 

[John221us]

Slow down, princess. Re-read both of my posts in this thread and quote anything I said that mentioned falsifying medical records or keeping information from the FAA.

It is just poorly worded I guess. I read this to mean that you had health provider visits that you did not report to the FAA. It looks like a few other people read it that way, too. Sorry, if I misinterpreted your statement. So, the doctor that you don't list on your FAA records; do you just play golf with him?

Yes - I have a doctor that I use for everything, and another doctor that I list on my FAA records

 

[Gary F]

Just because a physician knows you are a pilot doesn't mean he or she knows what drugs are on the forbidden list, or anything else relating to flying or certification, for that matter.

You can bring a list of approved or forbidden drugs. The physician's decision making may (should) take into account potential pilot issues.

 

[Sac Arrow]

I really have no problem with using my AME for primary care, but he wouldn't be covered under my insurance.

 

[Fearless Tower]

I have one doctor. No records get sent to the FAA. The FAA does not know if I am alive or dead. (There are lots of dead people still listed in the database.)

The issue isn't what gets SENT to the FAA...it is what the FAA can get access to IF you are ever involved in an accident or incident.

If you have something like an altitude bust or runway incursion, it can be the difference between getting some remedial training vs action taken against your certificate.

 

[JohnWF]

I don't have two doctors; I don't have any ! I take care of myself; low weight, no salt, no coffee, some exercise, no fat foods, no 'fast' foods, careful selection of my parents, low alcohol use, no smoking, low BP, low BMI, ultimate goal: fly my LSA plane on my 100th birthday (not so far away)

 

[Rigged4Flight]

It is just poorly worded I guess. I read this to mean that you had health provider visits that you did not report to the FAA. It looks like a few other people read it that way, too. Sorry, if I misinterpreted your statement. So, the doctor that you don't list on your FAA records; do you just play golf with him?

I may have been distracted when I made the poll

I don't currently have a separate doctor for FAA/everything else. I have a ton of doctors that are all currently being interrogated by Dr. Bruce. Well - one primary doctor, and a ton of VA doctors.

 

[Everskyward]

You can bring a list of approved or forbidden drugs. The physician's decision making may (should) take into account potential pilot issues.

I can definitely see that, especially if it's a med that you are trying to get certified while taking it. But just telling the doctor you are a pilot doesn't really give them much information unless they have dealt with pilots with your condition before.

 

[Gary F]

I can definitely see that, especially if it's a med that you are trying to get certified while taking it. But just telling the doctor you are a pilot doesn't really give them much information unless they have dealt with pilots with your condition before.

Some of us non-AME docs who are pilots understand the potential problems and will go the extra mile to help our patients deal with aviation medical issues.

 

[Everskyward]

Some of us non-AME docs who are pilots understand the potential problems and will go the extra mile to help our patients deal with aviation medical issues.

Yeah but you're a pilot. Many doctors aren't. I can't even think of one doctor (non AME) of mine who is a pilot. I think they try to help out to some extent but are not that aware, not that you would expect them to be.

 

[JimNtexas]

When you say 'list on my FAA records', what do you mean by that?

I have a primary care doctor who is a pilot, but not an AME. I usually get 2 physicals a year from her, plus visits for any other medical issues that might come up. I see her prior to my FAA physical so that she can provide whatever information the AME might require. Because she is a pilot she understands dealing with the FAA. Like Dr. Gary, she will go the extra mile to help me prepare for my physical.

I sometimes see other doctors for little things like knee replacements and motorcycle crashes.

In all cases I report these medical encounters to the FAA on the FAA medical web page form when my next physical comes up.

Is that what you mean by 'list with the FAA'?

The received wisdom that I have always heard is that you want your AME to be just your AME, and you should have a separate family doctor.

Anyway, most AME's are grumpy old guys, and my family doctor is pretty woman. :wink2:

 

[oldShar]

Actually #1 isn't correct either.
In a PPO
Got a different provider for every different ailment.
The PCP is only a centralized agglomerator of medical data
(and yes, my 8500-8 has a multi-page addendum to it; but that keeps the fingers exercised and the AME says that he appreciates the detail)

 

[Unregistered]

Do AME'S check/allowed to check prescription history before every physical?

 

[stratobee]

"Doctors are like mushrooms - keep them in the dark and feed them ****".

 

[Non Compos Mentis]

Nice to be healthy.

Outside of the flight physical, I haven't been to a doctor in a long time. No prescriptions, no problems.

A few years ago I went to Urgent Care after breaking a bone. Put an entry in my logbook so I would remember to report it properly.

 

[Norman]

Any one remember the Stanmore Cooper lawsuit? Seems the FAA can get information any which way they can, including illegally.

 

[Jthamilton]

Some of us non-AME docs who are pilots understand the potential problems and will go the extra mile to help our patients deal with aviation medical issues.

Yes to this