Re: Tips for selecting an AME in my area? (Minneapolis)
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2019 9:48 am
Similarly, when the Basic Med NPRM came out, a lot of AMEs filed comments in opposition. Do you think they maybe had a financial incentive for doing that?
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Tim, I am not arguing for a FAA medical over BesicMed! I have said in this thread that the OP should absolutely do BasicMed if he did not need a medical for any other reason.TimTaylor wrote:You're the one arguing for an FAA medical. I'm saying forget the FAA medical. You have not presented one logical reason to continue with doing FAA medicals if you don't need to. My recommendation to all pilots not flying for hire, regardless of age, is never have another FAA medical if you qualify for Basic Med (or fly with Sport Pilot privileges, fly gliders, balloons, blimps, powered parachutes, etc).
Exactly. Go to your doctor and get a Basic Med exam for free, covered by your health insurance, and zero risk.Otto wrote:What Tim keeps saying. If you qualify for basic med or fly stuff that doesn't require a medical never get another medical. There is no upside to the gamble. A local AME gave a basic med bashing educational speech to pilots, I don't know him, only heard what he told friends. Doing third class medicals won't pay off med school loans but they can be a nice semi-retirement gig. Keep that in mind when an AME suggests a third class medical for nonpro pilots who qualify for basic med.
That is a pretty big assumption. ACA compliant coverage does not require the policy to provide free annual physicals, so it will depend on your policy. Plus you need to figure that over 27 million of the non elderly population has no health insurance, and add on top of that the insurance coverage that doesn't meet ACA standards. Things are different out here in middle America compared to the idealized view of how it is.TimTaylor wrote: Exactly. Go to your doctor and get a Basic Med exam for free, covered by your health insurance, and zero risk.
And, if you don't have insurance, or your insurance doesn't cover wellness exams, from age 16 to age 40 you can pay for 5 FAA exams or 1 FAA exam followed by 5 Basic Med exams.TimTaylor wrote:Exactly. Go to your doctor and get a Basic Med exam for free, covered by your health insurance, and zero risk.Otto wrote:What Tim keeps saying. If you qualify for basic med or fly stuff that doesn't require a medical never get another medical. There is no upside to the gamble. A local AME gave a basic med bashing educational speech to pilots, I don't know him, only heard what he told friends. Doing third class medicals won't pay off med school loans but they can be a nice semi-retirement gig. Keep that in mind when an AME suggests a third class medical for nonpro pilots who qualify for basic med.
Don't be misled, a wellness exam is not a physical.TimTaylor wrote: And, if you don't have insurance, or your insurance doesn't cover wellness exams, from age 16 to age 40 you can pay for 5 FAA exams or 1 FAA exam followed by 5 Basic Med exams.
I used the term "wellness exam" to mean an annual physical. But if your insurance doesn't cover it, it doesn't matter what you call it.3Dreaming wrote:Don't be misled, a wellness exam is not a physical.TimTaylor wrote: And, if you don't have insurance, or your insurance doesn't cover wellness exams, from age 16 to age 40 you can pay for 5 FAA exams or 1 FAA exam followed by 5 Basic Med exams.
A person needs to be careful in choosing their words. I had a post reported for providing false information because I used a poor choice in words to convey what I meant. Thanks to the Admin for restoring the edit function I was able to go back and correct my post.TimTaylor wrote:I used the term "wellness exam" to mean an annual physical. But if your insurance doesn't cover it, it doesn't matter what you call it.3Dreaming wrote:Don't be misled, a wellness exam is not a physical.TimTaylor wrote: And, if you don't have insurance, or your insurance doesn't cover wellness exams, from age 16 to age 40 you can pay for 5 FAA exams or 1 FAA exam followed by 5 Basic Med exams.
Note: A wellness exam may or may not be the same as a complete annual physical exam. In this post, I am using the term "wellness exam" to mean a complete physical exam. The point of the above post is obvious, regardless. If your insurance does not cover an annual physical exam, you can pay for FAA exams or Basic Med exams or a combination of both. I'm sorry the continuous harassment directed at me is detracting from the purpose of this thread.TimTaylor wrote:And, if you don't have insurance, or your insurance doesn't cover wellness exams, from age 16 to age 40 you can pay for 5 FAA exams or 1 FAA exam followed by 5 Basic Med exams.TimTaylor wrote:Exactly. Go to your doctor and get a Basic Med exam for free, covered by your health insurance, and zero risk.Otto wrote:What Tim keeps saying. If you qualify for basic med or fly stuff that doesn't require a medical never get another medical. There is no upside to the gamble. A local AME gave a basic med bashing educational speech to pilots, I don't know him, only heard what he told friends. Doing third class medicals won't pay off med school loans but they can be a nice semi-retirement gig. Keep that in mind when an AME suggests a third class medical for nonpro pilots who qualify for basic med.
I guess I'm lucky, because my primary care physician is also my AME. He is also a pilot that comes and hangs out at the airport. He has even brought his sphygmomanometer to check my blood pressure in my normal work environment.foresterpoole wrote:My two cents is this: BasicMed is the way to go if you don't need a 2nd or 1st class. Here is my reasoning: my doctor knows my medical history much better than an AME that saw me last 4-5 years ago at one point in time and read a form. My regular doctor knows I am a pilot, he knows I prefer to stay away from certain medications that may be disqualifying and works with me (as best he can) to ensure I take medications that are compatible with flying, if not he stresses the importance of staying on the ground until I am off the meds (and how long that should be). The AME only sees me at one point in time, my doctor knows my complete medical history: good, bad and ugly. When my blood pressure started creeping up (thanks to work and family issues) we talked about medications, efficacy, and compatibility with flying. He even went on the FAA website with me and we looked at what we could use to treat it and still keep me safe, healthy and in the air. It was a non-event and he is more than happy to perform BasicMed when my 3rd class expires. I have been made aware some doctors will not perform BasicMed because of liability, I guess I can understand that. My doctor is also the company doctor who performs DOT physicals for truckers, so I am a very little spec on his liability, I guess that makes me lucky. I am also comfortable with him and his staff, going to an unknown doctor who I don't know, and who could really mess up my hobby makes me a bit nervous and the blood pressure goes up as a result. My home pressure is usually 117/75, at my doctors office or work it's 130/85, during my 3rd class it was 145/90! I'll take a more relaxed comfortable environment any day of the week!
Tim, I have been nothing but civil. Just like you I have a strong opinion, but I don't see things as black and white as you make them appear in your post. I have made no personal attacks. I have not acted aggressively! I have not tried to intimidate you in any way! I have simply presented my view in an open forum. Just because my view is different that yours does not mean it is any less valid, and certainly doesn't make it harassment. My actions on this forum come no where near meeting the definition of harassment.TimTaylor wrote: I'm sorry the continuous harassment directed at me is detracting from the purpose of this thread.