There are a large number of medical conditions, past or present, and/or current use of medications which can result in the FAA denying an application for a medical certificate. Given this, applicants who have any medical condition, or are taking any serious medication, or have to check "yes" to any box in section 18 of the form 8500-8, are advised to obtain a consultation with the AME prior to activating an actual formal application for a medical certificate.
Normally you will pay a small amount for the consultation, followed by the normal fee for the class of exam you are having. This is a small price to pay to avoid an unnecessary deferral or denial of your medical application.
To do this, follow these steps:
If the AME says there are conditions that prevent issuance in the office, that is the time to explore what they are and ask for advise on how best to proceed. In many cases, the AME may be able to issue your certificate after further documentation of the conditions which are of concern, or it may require the help of specialized AMEs.
If there are any questions about an AME being able to issue an FAA medical in the office, one is well advised to obtain the advice of a senior AME or senior AME in the Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS). The latter especially applies if substance abuse or psychiatric issues are in the history "ever in your life".
The following is a very brief listing of some of the nationally recognized expert AMEs in dealing with specialized and difficult aeromedical cases. While such consultation will cost some money in fees and testing, it is well worth it to eventually obtain the lowest possible overall costs and time expended.
Normally you will pay a small amount for the consultation, followed by the normal fee for the class of exam you are having. This is a small price to pay to avoid an unnecessary deferral or denial of your medical application.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Confirm that the AME you are visiting is willing to do a consult. Most will these days, but some will refuse. If so, find another AME.
- Fill out the application for a medical certificate using MedXpress. Print out the form so you can take it with you.
- Cut off the confirmation number (MID) at the bottom of the form. Keep it in your pocket when you visit the AME. The reason to do this is that front office staff will often want to prepare your chart for the doctor using this information. But sometimes they "helpfully" enter the MID into the FAA system and that then means your application will end in either issuance or denial, cutting off some other options for flying.
- After the AME has assured you he can issue your certificate in the office, then provide the MID so he or she can do so.
If the AME says there are conditions that prevent issuance in the office, that is the time to explore what they are and ask for advise on how best to proceed. In many cases, the AME may be able to issue your certificate after further documentation of the conditions which are of concern, or it may require the help of specialized AMEs.
Senior and HIMS Aviation Medical Examiners
If there are any questions about an AME being able to issue an FAA medical in the office, one is well advised to obtain the advice of a senior AME or senior AME in the Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS). The latter especially applies if substance abuse or psychiatric issues are in the history "ever in your life".
The following is a very brief listing of some of the nationally recognized expert AMEs in dealing with specialized and difficult aeromedical cases. While such consultation will cost some money in fees and testing, it is well worth it to eventually obtain the lowest possible overall costs and time expended.
| Name | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Bruce Chien, MD | How to Start |
| Louis B Fowler, MD | FlightPhysical |
