What's new
Van's Air Force

Don't miss anything! Register now for full access to the definitive RV support community.

Basic Med

Last edited:
Interestingly, the good/bad definitions of medical problems seem to be pretty much up to the physician...

2. Conduct a comprehensive medical examination in accordance with the checklist by:
a. Examining each item specified;
b. Exercising medical discretion, address, as medically appropriate, any medical conditions identified; and
c. Exercising medical discretion, determine whether any medical tests are warranted as part of the comprehensive medical examination.
 
Interesting to me is the fact that supposedly the basic med form is not submitted to the FAA. It is only kept with your logs. If so, why are there sections required to provide information on any administrative actions or traffic convictions, medical certificates ever been revoked, etc in section 2.

Is the general practice physician you go to for BasicMed required to report such "transgressions" to the FAA as reported in section 2? Does not make sense to me to ask these questions if it is not intended for the FAA to enforce actions on the data in some manner.
 
I'm actually really surprised that the FAA actually came up with something that is so non-strict, and leaving so much up to the discretion of someone besides themselves. I was expecting something much more complicated than this.
 
I'm actually really surprised that the FAA actually came up with something that is so non-strict, and leaving so much up to the discretion of someone besides themselves. I was expecting something much more complicated than this.

I think the FAA had to do this; it probably pained them deeply as well. The legislation was written well enough that the FAA couldn't really add or tweak anything.
 
Does anyone know if we can us a PA? or do we need to find an actual DR. they are few and hard to find now days.
 
Does anyone know if we can us a PA? or do we need to find an actual DR. they are few and hard to find now days.

From a FAA Q&A sheet -

A: Any state-licensed physician who is familiar with your complete health history would be a good choice.

Is a PA licensed as a physician in your state?

AZ State Law has this definition -

"Physician" means a doctor of medicine who is licensed pursuant to this chapter.
 
I'm actually really surprised that the FAA actually came up with something that is so non-strict, and leaving so much up to the discretion of someone besides themselves. I was expecting something much more complicated than this.

Of course the FAA wouldn't come up with something like that. Nobody expected they would. It literally took an "act of Congress" to get them to do it. I think they got the message and realized that they shouldn't mess with the guys that write their paychecks. Referring to Congress, not us p on's.

Larryt
 
The only thing that remains to be seen is how many non-AME MDs will sign off on the form.

I have my annual (well, okay, bi- or tri-annual :) ) physical with my GP in a few weeks, and will be taking the form in to ask her if she'll sign it. We shall see...
 
This whole Basic Med. thing got so diluted by the time it finally got passed, I'm not sure that I really see any point in it. :confused: I hope I'm wrong.

Jim
 
Important points are:
(1) 4 years instead of 2.
(2) If there is a problem, you don't fail, leading to months/years of expensive testing and evaluation. You simple work with your Dr. to get the problem resolved. Also remember that with Class III medical, this testing and evaluation comes out of your 2-year timeframe leaving you with often less than a year of useful flying.

Good points Mel and like I said I hope I'm wrong. The original proposal was just so simple and doable that it's frustrating to see what we ended up with.

We should know before long how it's actually going to work out for folks. My primary care provider is a Physicians Assistant, so I may be thwarted before I even get started. I'll be checking with him before long to see if he qualifies.

Jim
 
This morning a local pilot received his BasicMed exam at our local doc-in-a-box. Fee was $60 and the exam and paperwork was completed with no drama. This particular clinic does most of our local DOT exams and they found no difficulty in completing the BasicMed paperwork because it is so similar to the DOT form.
 
Last edited:
Which Doc-in-a-box?

This morning a local pilot received his BasicMed exam at our local doc-in-a-box. Fee was $60 and the exam and paperwork was completed with no drama. This particular clinic does most of our local DOT exams and they found no difficulty in completing the BasicMed paperwork because it is so similar to the DOT form.

Curious which place it was. I showed my regular doc the draft forms, etc - and she said she couldn't sign it. I will be looking for a local doc who will. Is this in Decatur or Athens?
 
This is exactly as I would expect.

Me too. DOT physicals at the local walk-in clinic are routine, and if anything, appear to be more strict than the new Basic Med physical.

I hire retired friends as contractors to move used trucks around the southeast, and that means a DOT physical for each. The "gotcha" in a DOT exam tends to be the hearing check. Here's why; at the clinic, they tend to stand the applicant in a hallway with his back to the examiner. The examiner whispers a question and the applicant is expected to answer. Too often the air conditioning system creates a bunch of background noise which muffles the question. Just be aware; if you get marched out in the hall and it seems noisy, say something and you'll get some slack or a different test.

Last time the doctor started asking questions while I was getting dressed and had a shirt over my head ;)
 
This morning a local pilot received his BasicMed exam at our local doc-in-a-box. Fee was $60 and the exam and paperwork was completed with no drama. This particular clinic does most of our local DOT exams and they found no difficulty in completing the BasicMed paperwork because it is so similar to the DOT form.

Last time the doctor started asking questions while I was getting dressed and had a shirt over my head ;)

My friend didn't have to disrobe for the exam. An RN did the eye, vitals and hearing test, and the physician did the remainder of the exam and asked about existing conditions, meds, etc.
 
I just scheduled my physical for May 4.
The Dr asked me to fax the checklist to them today to make sure they can comply.

I'll add an update when I have one.
 
Basic risk aversion for anything having to do with the Feds coupled with not feeling qualified to know what is OK to operate an aircraft.

Interesting. Although completely anecdotal with absolutely no statistical basis, it sounds like the easiest path to BasicMed, at least initially, might be to visit a clinic that routinely does occupational health type physicals.

FWIW, this thread has got me curious as to my own situation--I'm retired military so we use a local offbase Military Treatment Facility (MTF) for our family practice. I just shot them off an e-mail with the FAA and AOPA links on the program and asked whether they can/will participate. I'll post the response when I get it.
 
Basic Med Checklist

My PCP looked over the physician's instructions and said "no problem". He knows my medical history and had no reservations signing off. The portion the pilot fills out is almost exactly like the FAA Form 8500-8. The physician's exam checklist is pretty basic. Instead of paying an AME $95 for a two-year medical it only cost me a $20 co-pay for a four-year approval. The online course didn't take an hour to complete.
 
I just scheduled my physical for May 4.
The Dr asked me to fax the checklist to them today to make sure they can comply.

I'll add an update when I have one.

Update: Received some push back from the Dr Billing dept saying that I had to go to an AME. I explained the program to them & told them to read my paperwork instructions.
They said they would get back with me this afternoon.
 
Online course

I took the online course and test yesterday. The course takes at least an hour and the 20 question test is about 20 minutes. Be sure not to skip any of the videos because the answers to a lot of trick questions are in those. Passing is 80%. I was thrilled that I got 90%, but when I went to print out my certificate, I discovered that I had to have seen a doctor first. Silly me... I logged out and hopefully my test results will remain on the AOPA server until after I see a doc. Yes, the course is at basicmedicalcourse.aopa.org
 
Update: Received some push back from the Dr Billing dept saying that I had to go to an AME. I explained the program to them & told them to read my paperwork instructions.
They said they would get back with me this afternoon.

Update #2
Dr office informed me they would do the examination, but I would need to get a separate eye test from an outside source as they are not set up to comply with the vision requirements.

Item# 20. Vision: (distant, near, & intermediate, field of vision, color vision & ocular alignment)

I plan on calling the FAA or FSDO tomorrow to seek out clarification.
Since nothing is defined & is vague, these should be able to be done inside the Dr office, even if they don't have an actual eye chart.
But, the Dr could still refuse to do it.

Maybe I'll need to seek out a new PCP.
 
My friend didn't have to disrobe for the exam. An RN did the eye, vitals and hearing test, and the physician did the remainder of the exam and asked about existing conditions, meds, etc.

How did he pass the Anus exam without disrobing? :)
 
Interesting to me is the fact that supposedly the basic med form is not submitted to the FAA. It is only kept with your logs. If so, why are there sections required to provide information on any administrative actions or traffic convictions, medical certificates ever been revoked, etc in section 2.

Primarily, I think, because the checklist appears to be a copy/paste/litely edit of the standard application for a class 3 (or higher) medical. Still, in my view it's not unreasonable to ask the same questions of a self-certifying pilot population that were formerly put to all pilots.

If memory serves, submission of on-line course results does go to the FAA, and requires consent for them to look up your records in the national driver database (whatever it's called...).
 
How did he pass the Anus exam without disrobing? :)

A jest, by the smiley...but I'm reasonably sure the nether regions are on the AME's checklist and BasicMed is a copy/paste/lite edit.

My AME didn't fulfill this requirement in the past. But maybe he could just tell what an anus I am. (Or rather, a hole which the anus surrounds.) :rolleyes:

I'm treading close to DR's family website rules....:eek:
 
Update #2
Dr office informed me they would do the examination, but I would need to get a separate eye test from an outside source as they are not set up to comply with the vision requirements.

Item# 20. Vision: (distant, near, & intermediate, field of vision, color vision & ocular alignment)

I plan on calling the FAA or FSDO tomorrow to seek out clarification.
Since nothing is defined & is vague, these should be able to be done inside the Dr office, even if they don't have an actual eye chart.
But, the Dr could still refuse to do it.

Maybe I'll need to seek out a new PCP.

This is what will kill this...eye test, hearing test, etc., requiring a visit to another doctor and then another doctor...plus the original PCP not wanting to sign off on it, perhaps.

It's great IF one can get it signed as part of an insurance-covered annual physical, and IF the doctor agrees to sign it, and IF they don't send you to other specialists.

Any of those fail, and you're into doctor-shopping, which might get to be expensive, and if you can't find one, you may be back to the AME.

Remember, this was SUPPOSED to be a "driver's license medical", much like the Sport Pilot thing. HA!
 
New Medical no good outside USA

FAA medical examiner and old medical still needed for flying trips to Bahamas, and Canada. And needed if you do a self-fly trip in Africa and Australia. Interesting to know how many pilots go to Canada and Bahamas or Mexico. I probably won't go to the new process until I'm too old to fly to Canada or FAA gets Canada to use it also. Or maybe I should say, until AOPA gets Canada to use it.
 
For others:

vhtg8z.jpg

I understand the flow chart BUT you only need to see a doctor every 4 years BUT you need to take the quiz every two years. How is someone going to be able to take the quiz every two if you must see the doctor before taking the quiz?
 
I took the online course and test yesterday. The course takes at least an hour and the 20 question test is about 20 minutes. Be sure not to skip any of the videos because the answers to a lot of trick questions are in those. Passing is 80%. I was thrilled that I got 90%, but when I went to print out my certificate, I discovered that I had to have seen a doctor first. Silly me... I logged out and hopefully my test results will remain on the AOPA server until after I see a doc. Yes, the course is at basicmedicalcourse.aopa.org

I did the same just for fun. It appears that it does remember you already passed. I logged out and back in and was able to return to the end of the process where you fill out the rest of the stuff.
 
Basic Med Quiz

I took the online course and test yesterday. The course takes at least an hour and the 20 question test is about 20 minutes. Be sure not to skip any of the videos because the answers to a lot of trick questions are in those. Passing is 80%. I was thrilled that I got 90%, but when I went to print out my certificate, I discovered that I had to have seen a doctor first. Silly me... I logged out and hopefully my test results will remain on the AOPA server until after I see a doc. Yes, the course is at basicmedicalcourse.aopa.org

When you sign back in don't click on "Retake the Quiz". I completed the quiz (95%) and logged out. After seeing my doc today I went back in and filled in my info and the physician info (you need his state license number from the exam) and printed out my certificate. You get a small business card size one also to be in your wallet (mine is already laminated!).

Plop plop, fizz fizz! Oh what a relief it is!
 
Last edited:
When you sign back in don't click on "Retake the Quiz". I completed the quiz (95%) and logged out. After seeing my doc today I went back in and filled in my info and the physician info (you need his state license number from the exam) and printed out my certificate. You get a small business card size one also to be in your wallet (mine is already laminated!).

Plop plop, fizz fizz! Oh what a relief it is!
AWESOME!!!

:cool:
 
Med Ex

I wrote my family doctor a letter last month about the program. I explained that the program is based upon the fact that pilots have to determine their fitness to fly every time they plan to fly. I told him the test we have to take every two years focuses on the process we should use in doing the self assessment. I told him I have been doing this for the last forty-seven years. I checked with his nurse to see if he is good to go. She said he was adding some extra time to do the paperwork. I have an appointment on May 5.

Additionally, I met Mark Baker this weekend after flying for breakfast with my friend Doug Weiler. I told him the good news about my May 5 appointment. He said that getting insurance for our aircraft with Med Ex physicals will be no problem. AOPA already insures a large percentage of GA aircraft and work with all the various underwriters. So insurance will not be a problem.


Frank Huber
building an RV-7A
shooting for a fall finish
dues paid for 2017
 
Disappointed...

Well I heard back from my PCM at the Military Health Clinic we go to and the answer was a big fat no--they have no plans to participate in BasicMed. :( If any of you military retirees out there get a different answer from your PCM, I'd like to hear about it.
 
Last edited:
Well I heard back from my PCM at the Military Health Clinic we go to and the answer was a big fat no--they have no plans to participate in BasicMed. :( If any of you military retirees out there get a different answer from your PCM, I'd like to hear about it.
I have an appointment with NAS Jax health clinic on Monday and will post what they tell me.

:cool:
 
I have an appointment with NAS Jax health clinic on Monday and will post what they tell me.

:cool:

Thanks! My PCM did say I could call the Medical Readiness office at the Fort Belvoir Hospital (our local servicing installation) and ask if they know anything more about this program. The catch is the medical readiness office is usually for Active Duty members so I'm not very confident in this being a solution.
 
Basic Med will cut down on the paper work.

I opted to have one last Class III medical renewal about a month ago. My examining Dr signed off on it without a hitch but FAA needs more info within 60 days to not deny the application.

Item one is explanation for need thyroid hormone which has been prescribed for last 25 years since primary thyroid was removed. Its all in my history if they would review it.

item two is another eye test regarding left eye high pressure reported 2 years ago. Had that done yesterday, there is no change. That too was reported in application for medical issuance. They need paper to prove it.

And so it goes....

If I don't hear from them within next 60 days or less if date of FAA letter is used, I should be ok for another 2 years.

My advise to all, go with Basic Med unless you fly for a living.
 
I'm betting that these doctors that aren't participating will change there mind in less than a year when there is enough talk in the medical community and they realize it is a bonafide DOT physical essentially.
 
Will a recent eye test suffice?

item two is another eye test...
That brings up a question. I asked my AME if he would accept the results if I had a recent eye test by an Opthomologist. He said it would as long as they tested for Phoria along with all the usual stuff.
 
Still waiting for Class III to be approved from February!

Basic Medical has got to be an improvement in the current Class III procedure!

I had a retinal tear in Nov 2015 and briefly lost sight in my left eye. While healing after the operation my Class III expired.

When recovered I applied for a Class III with the various test results and the FAA 8500-7 filled out showing that I had normal vision. It took 1 week to get approval and I received my Class III with a statement ?Not Valid for any class after 2/28/2017?, so I was good for a year. There was also a letter stating I had to submit an updated 8500-7 with all the tests updated that I submit originally with the next application.

Fast forward to now. In February I had all the eye tests done that showed the vision had not changed and the 8500-7 completed and submitted through my AME. As of today (26 April ? almost 10 weeks later) I still do not have a Class III Medical Certificate. Since it is just a follow-up and the vision is as good or better in every area I don?t understand why it is taking 10 times longer than the original application after the surgery!:confused:

I have called the FAA every week for the past 6 weeks and as of last week it moved from the cue to being evaluated.

Hopefully I?ll get it in the next week and it is a clear Class III so I can fall under Basic Medical!

I missed some really good flying weather here in the DFW area waiting......
 
State-licensed physician. See:

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/basic_med/

And from the FAQ:

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/basic_med/media/basicmed_faq.pdf

"Q36: I don?t have a doctor who is a M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy). I do use a chiropractor physician and a naturopathic physician. Can I use them?

A: The FAA relies on the determination of each state (as well as each territory and possession of the United States) as to which persons it will license as physicians. If the person holds a license as a Physician issued by any state, territory, or possession, then he or she meets the requirement as a state-licensed Physician. However, the FAA recommends that you check with the medical licensing board or authority in your state for clarification as to whether other classes of ?state-licensed physicians? are felt to have the privileges, training and experience to conduct all portions of the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist (CMEC)."​


No vets, either! :D

C'Mon, I have a Vet that could save a raw Steak!
 
I dropped off the form at a local doctor today that does CDL exams. Receptionist didn't know anything about this, and I explainsd to her that it was new. She said that they would treat it like a CDL, charge $125, and she'd go over it with the doctor and schedule an appointment. Haven't heard back so don't know for sure whether he will do it or not, but will keep everyone posted.
 
I visited with the clinic of my family practitioner who is a P.A. this morning. Found out they had already done one basic med exam and found it to be just like a DOT CDL exam. Got an appointment for both my wife and myself. Since the PA can't sign off on it the supervising doc will do it. Fee is $85.

Martin Sutter
Building and flying RV's since 1988
EAA Technical Counselor
 
Back
Top