Is it common for medical examiners to request your medical records from your primary care provider?
Posted by Flat_Advertising_573@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 18 comments
Getting ready to do a second class medical. I have done a few over the past decade, but my original AME retired. The new one I chose to use has asked for me to somehow bring in my medical records from my primary doctor when i come in for the medical exam. I have nothing to hide, but that does seem a bit out of the ordinary. Don’t they just need to work off of their own examination and the answers I provide on the application? Assuming I don’t answer a question requiring further digging, I don’t see how getting my records is relevant.
Common? Or Odd?
dragonguy0@reddit
I've only had the feds ask for that. Have they sent you any letters or anything? I know that they'll typically CC your AME on it, but the whole thing sounds very odd, especially since it's a new AME.
Working_Football1586@reddit
You need to find a new ame. Always find who the 64.5 yr old airline guys go to, whoever gives half dead guys medicals is your guy.
49Flyer@reddit
I've seen 4 different AMEs in my career and none ever made such a request. Unless you reported a medical condition on your 8500-8 this would not be an appropriate request.
There are some AMEs out there who like to stick their noses where they don't belong; you would be wise to stay far away from them. An AME, particularly one who doesn't know how to stay in his lane, can easily derail your career.
usd2bfast@reddit
if he’s requesting records from one of your doctors he should explain what the specific concern is. the AME shouldn’t be asking for records out of general curiosity.
run264fun@reddit
Great point. But man, I’d hate to see them probing around for something that isn’t there. Then again maybe they just need one more bit of info & can sign you off without a hitch.
49Flyer@reddit
If that's the case there should be a specific condition that's already been identified. If AMEs were expected to go on fishing expeditions there would be no point to filling out the 8500-8 in the first place.
Bravodelta13@reddit
Unless you have a special issuance or CACI, no medical records are required. Huge red flag.
Chago04@reddit
Do you have a CACI or special issuance? If not, I’d find another AME. If you do have a CACI, that’s probably what he wants to see.
m4a785m@reddit
Kindly disregard the appointment and find someone else. All it takes is one of these AMEs to halt your future in aviation. I've never been asked for my medical records before, and I would be very hesitant doing a medical with this guy despite having a perfect record.
dodexahedron@reddit
I'd file a complaint with HHS for that.
There's no reg, process, worksheet, or guideline that gives them authority or cause to just blanket request everything like that.
Gloomy-Employment-72@reddit
Do you have any significant medical history? Any Special Issuance in the past? I had to provide info on cancer treatments and annual surveillance reports for 6 years, but if you're healthy, I'd be curious why he wants your records.
Mispelled-This@reddit
Cancel the appointment and find a different AME who isn’t an idiot.
vanillanuttapped@reddit
Fuck that. Find a different guy.
You don't want the guy who's detail oriented; you want the guy who is looking to make a quick buck without any extra work.
Obviously this goes out the window if you have some medical issue that's going to make your certificate difficult.
da_av@reddit
None of the 5 AMEs I've seen (for 1st, 2nd and 3rd class) have asked me this
drowninginidiots@reddit
Have never heard of one doing that. To me that’s a bit of a red flag, like maybe he’s going to question things that shouldn’t be an issue. Combined with what a pain it can be sometimes just to get a copy of your past records, I’d seriously consider finding another AME.
MangledCentaur@reddit
I’ve never had that done or asked of me. Seems a bit odd imo
f1racer328@reddit
I'd say odd, I've had a lot of different AMEs and no ones ever asked.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Getting ready to do a second class medical. I have done a few over the past decade, but my original AME retired. The new one I chose to use has asked for me to somehow bring in my medical records from my primary doctor when i come in for the medical exam. I have nothing to hide, but that does seem a bit out of the ordinary. Don’t they just need to work off of their own examination and the answers I provide on the application? Assuming I don’t answer a question requiring further digging, I don’t see how getting my records is relevant.
Common? Or Odd?
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