In renewing my Basic Med this AM, I thought I'd send a reminder to those of you who have been a bit lazy about, or have not thought about getting your Basic Med. Do it now...

Lots of folks still don't realize that you can hold both a Class X medical AND have Basic Med.

The reasons have been discussed on the web ad nauseam, but just a reminder... Get your basic med. There are so many stories of folks having something pop up and snap...

See your PCP every four years, and take the AOPA course every two. Easy peasy...

https://www.aopa.org/advocacy/pilots/medical/basicmed

Also, special issuance processing is apparently deadlocked in Oklahoma City at present time due to…reasons.

Basic Med requires no OKC processing outside the required signatures every 4 years, IIRC.

I didn’t know you could hold a standard medical as well as basic med. I only hold a medical for adventures into Canada. This is great intel. Thanks!

x100

Zzz wrote:Also, special issuance processing is apparently deadlocked in Oklahoma City at present time due to…reasons.

Basic Med requires no OKC processing outside the required signatures every 4 years, IIRC.

That is true, BUT, if you hold Basic Med and a medical, and you are denied a renewal of your medical for any reason, you CANNOT use Basic Med. So, if something comes up that WOULD BE disqualifying on a Class 1/2/3 medical, but authorized under BM, DO NOT apply for a renewal of flight physical.

There are lots of conditions that can require a Special Issuance under a class 1/2/3 medical, but don't under BM. Melanoma is one. If the lesion is deeper than a certain amount, a medical will cost you thousands of $$$ in tests each year for five years, under BM, no big deal, fly away. So, in that case, do some research BEFORE you start your next medical, and go to BM and let your medical lapse.

mtv wrote:

Zzz wrote:Also, special issuance processing is apparently deadlocked in Oklahoma City at present time due to…reasons.

Basic Med requires no OKC processing outside the required signatures every 4 years, IIRC.

That is true, BUT, if you hold Basic Med and a medical, and you are denied a renewal of your medical for any reason, you CANNOT use Basic Med. So, if something comes up that WOULD BE disqualifying on a Class 1/2/3 medical, but authorized under BM, DO NOT apply for a renewal of flight physical.

There are lots of conditions that can require a Special Issuance under a class 1/2/3 medical, but don't under BM. Melanoma is one. If the lesion is deeper than a certain amount, a medical will cost you thousands of $$$ in tests each year for five years, under BM, no big deal, fly away. So, in that case, do some research BEFORE you start your next medical, and go to BM and let your medical lapse.

Mike is correct about disqualifying conditions for I/II/III medicals and not filling out an 8500-8 Medical form. A denial will void the basic medical. They have good consulting firms that will review your application if you are in doubt about passing the exam. Most are former AMEs and understand how the paperwork is processed. The recent story of young woman who lost her medical due to depression comes to mind. This would have been disqualifying for Basic Medical but illustrates the need for being prudent. I have had a few friends that in the process of getting an SI and it can take several months.

Basic medicals are void if there is one of the following condition exists:

1. Cardiac - Coronary or valvular heart disease
2. Neurologic - strokes, seizures, and/or unexplained losses in consciousness.
3. Psychiatric - Mental health problem problems most specifically psychotic episodes, depression/Suicidal thoughts, Substance use disorders in the past 2 years, and any personality disorder which cause undue harm.

Probably a good idea to have both because if you take a medication or have a condition which invalidates the Class I-III you can default to the basic medical assuming you do not have one of the 3 disqualifying conditions.



Josh