Primary Care Doc who is an AME?
08-23-2023, 09:28 AM
#14
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,319
Originally Posted by WhisperJet
I'm not advocating deceiving anyone.
The situation is this. My current PCP sucks and I can never get ahold of him for appointments, results, questions, etc. I want to establish a relationship in my golden years with a good PCP whom I can do annual physicals with, discuss concerns, etc. Most of the good ones have moved to fee-based concierge service. One guy is highly regarded and is local who is still in insurance network. He also happens to be an AME but I already have a great AME and I don't want to change, as he is aware of all my history.
So, I guess my question is if I have an issue with something that comes up on a routine physical, or through other ways, I discuss it with my PCP, who is an AME but not my AME, is it a positive situation in that he would better know how to address any future potential issues as the FAA would want to see them presented and be able to provide the correct type of documentation/tests/etc that I could provide to my AME?
The situation is this. My current PCP sucks and I can never get ahold of him for appointments, results, questions, etc. I want to establish a relationship in my golden years with a good PCP whom I can do annual physicals with, discuss concerns, etc. Most of the good ones have moved to fee-based concierge service. One guy is highly regarded and is local who is still in insurance network. He also happens to be an AME but I already have a great AME and I don't want to change, as he is aware of all my history.
So, I guess my question is if I have an issue with something that comes up on a routine physical, or through other ways, I discuss it with my PCP, who is an AME but not my AME, is it a positive situation in that he would better know how to address any future potential issues as the FAA would want to see them presented and be able to provide the correct type of documentation/tests/etc that I could provide to my AME?
08-23-2023, 05:04 PM
#15
Ignoring; John Burke.
Joined APC: Jul 2022
Position: Wandering
Posts: 194
It all depends on the attitude of the AME. My AME has been our family doctor for 30 years. He delivered my grandson . we’ve become friends, as are my accountant and attorney.
He was an AF Flight surgeon before that. He flies, gives lessons and teaches ground school for free to cadets..
When I go in for a physical, he makes it clear that he is “wearing his AME hat”. Even then, there have been times when he has said to me”thats prolly something to tell your family doctor.
It has worked out really well for me. I always considered my health above my ticket, so I didn’t try to hide anything.
My advice, if you care; if possible make your AME your friend. Take him flying, or out for lunch. He’ll probably loosen up and have a hundred questions.
YMMV “.
He was an AF Flight surgeon before that. He flies, gives lessons and teaches ground school for free to cadets..
When I go in for a physical, he makes it clear that he is “wearing his AME hat”. Even then, there have been times when he has said to me”thats prolly something to tell your family doctor.
It has worked out really well for me. I always considered my health above my ticket, so I didn’t try to hide anything.
My advice, if you care; if possible make your AME your friend. Take him flying, or out for lunch. He’ll probably loosen up and have a hundred questions.
YMMV “.
08-23-2023, 05:13 PM
#16
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2021
Posts: 19
Originally Posted by WhisperJet
I need a new primary care doctor. One of the better guys in the area happens to also be an AME. Not my AME as I have one.
Would there be any reason not to see this guy as long as I only use him for primary care and not my flight physicals?
Would there be any reason not to see this guy as long as I only use him for primary care and not my flight physicals?
08-27-2023, 12:40 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2017
Position: Retired NJA & AA
Posts: 1,923
My non-AME PCP has retired after caring for me since 1990. A young new DO has taken his place. I'm debating making my old AME my PCP since I'm already medically grounded and have no interest in getting my medical back, at least not until my LOM plan runs out in 22 months. I really liked him, a large % of the pilots in CLT use him. It'll be a lot easier to get to the new Doc than the AME since the new Doc is in a small facility with easy parking and the AME is in a 4 story facility with a parking garage near a major mall. But still seeing an experienced Doc who knows me and saw me twice a year prior to 2017 beats the unknown of a new Doc who's a DO (Osteopathic).
08-27-2023, 01:53 PM
#18
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,319
Originally Posted by hopp
It all depends on the attitude of the AME. My AME has been our family doctor for 30 years. He delivered my grandson . we’ve become friends, as are my accountant and attorney.
He was an AF Flight surgeon before that. He flies, gives lessons and teaches ground school for free to cadets..
When I go in for a physical, he makes it clear that he is “wearing his AME hat”. Even then, there have been times when he has said to me”thats prolly something to tell your family doctor.
It has worked out really well for me. I always considered my health above my ticket, so I didn’t try to hide anything.
My advice, if you care; if possible make your AME your friend. Take him flying, or out for lunch. He’ll probably loosen up and have a hundred questions.
YMMV “.
He was an AF Flight surgeon before that. He flies, gives lessons and teaches ground school for free to cadets..
When I go in for a physical, he makes it clear that he is “wearing his AME hat”. Even then, there have been times when he has said to me”thats prolly something to tell your family doctor.
It has worked out really well for me. I always considered my health above my ticket, so I didn’t try to hide anything.
My advice, if you care; if possible make your AME your friend. Take him flying, or out for lunch. He’ll probably loosen up and have a hundred questions.
YMMV “.
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