For those in the HIMS program, there are significant changes to be aware of. Pilots in the program have not been informed of the changes.The issue is when an airman needs to see his/her HIMS AME to renew they will not leave the office with a new medical. The application is sent to FAA Medical Recertification who will determine which step down you will be assigned. So an Airman will not have a Medical certificate for the time it takes to make the determination, which could be several weeks. The advice is to not wait until the last few days the Medical has left to renew. You can fly with the period left on the current Medical.
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...ide/abuse_dep/