FAA announces end of paper medical certificate applications

By Jim Moore

The good news is, medical certificate applications submitted online should be processed more efficiently, medical certification processing errors should be reduced, and taxpayers should get a break on federal spending. However, the transition away from paper applications for medical certificates presents AOPA with some concerns for pilots who don’t currently use computers, and the FAA is about to make it mandatory: As of Oct. 1, 2012, aviation medical examiners will no longer accept paper applications. Federal Air Surgeon Fred Tilton announced the coming change to AMEs in the latest medical bulletin, calling on flight physicians to “significantly increase” use of the MedXPress system.

The electronic medical certificate application system, introduced by the FAA in 2007, is relatively easy to use, and offers several benefits to computer-savvy pilots. Errors that once resulted from poor penmanship or transcription—errors that frequently resulted in delayed issuance of a medical certificate should no longer happen. The electronic system should also make application processing more efficient, with less time spent by AME and FAA staff. This, in turn, will allow the FAA staff to focus their efforts on the more complex medical certification cases that require additional time for review.

AOPA Director of Medical Certification Services Gary Crump noted other improvements will be made possible as the electronic system is enhanced in the future, such as automatic completion of data that does not change from one application to the next, along with a planned enhancement of the system that would allow AMEs to scan pilots’ medical records directly into the system from their offices.

The convenience of an online application comes with some risks, however, for pilots who do not have access to a wired Internet connection at their home or office. Using a public computer at a library, or a computer networked through a public wireless “hot spot,” such as at a coffee shop or Internet café, could potentially compromise the security of medical information—especially if the user is unfamiliar with the need to completely log out of a program before leaving the computer for the next user.

Between now and Oct. 1, AOPA will launch an education effort to be certain that pilots become familiar with the online application. AOPA will continue to work closely with the FAA to address members’ concerns that may arise between now and the implementation date.

AOPA also will seek clarification of the future procedure for modifications to the application itself. The paper document, Form 8500-8, has been subject to approval by the Office of Management and Budget before any changes can be made, and it is not yet clear whether elimination of the paper document will affect that procedure.

“On balance, this is a step in the right direction,” Crump said. “We encourage AOPA members to use the online application and contact us about any problems or issues that they encounter with MedXPress. We will act quickly to address with the FAA any problems brought to our attention.”

Tilton, in his January briefing to AMEs, said a tracking system is planned that will allow pilots and examiners to check the status of applications; future enhancements could also allow for centralized access to medical documents and physician notes. Tilton noted that that the FAA currently spends $150,000 a year to print, store, and distribute the paper Form 8500-8, and the long-planned transition to an all-electronic application system is in keeping with laws and presidential orders intended to cut costs and increase efficiency.

automatic completion of data that does not change from one application to the next, along with a planned enhancement of the system that would allow AMEs to scan pilots’ medical records directly into the system from their offices.

Be afraid... Very afraid.

Gump

Uh, so when I go in for my next flight physical, what's going to be different? Doc does all the same stuff, but enters it on a screen instead of longhand?

denalipilot wrote:Uh, so when I go in for my next flight physical, what's going to be different? Doc does all the same stuff, but enters it on a screen instead of longhand?

Before your appointment go here: https://medxpress.faa.gov/

You fill it out and are issued a number. Take the number with you to the AME and he/she will access your application and can make the necessary changes and fill out their portion.

It is pretty easy really. No problem for anyone here for sure.

Gb

Thanks Gb!

GumpAir wrote:

automatic completion of data that does not change from one application to the next, along with a planned enhancement of the system that would allow AMEs to scan pilots’ medical records directly into the system from their offices.

Be afraid... Very afraid.

Gump

Agreed. This is not good. One will need to serve one's doctor with a document demanding that no medical record be placed in MedX. Most doctors would refuse treatment. Currently anyone needing access to your records needs your signed approval to gain access. With this move we lose that control. FAA and any OTHER federal agency could demand that you allow them access to your MedX records to remain in compliance with administrative rules. Read that again. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES. Not laws duly enacted by an elected body. "Why should I care", you ask, "I've got nothing to hide". Nope, you don't, at least not yet. It seems to me I read somewhere recently that the Constitution guarantees no right to privacy. This bothers me. The fourth amendment mutters something about search and seizure that apparently resonates at a frequency above normal hearing. Why does the government have a "right" to my personal history whether it's medical, sexual, financial, or religious. They don't. Be afraid indeed.

Emory Bored wrote:

GumpAir wrote:

automatic completion of data that does not change from one application to the next, along with a planned enhancement of the system that would allow AMEs to scan pilots’ medical records directly into the system from their offices.

Be afraid... Very afraid.

Gump

Agreed. This is not good. One will need to serve one's doctor with a document demanding that no medical record be placed in MedX. Most doctors would refuse treatment. Currently anyone needing access to your records needs your signed approval to gain access. With this move we lose that control. FAA and any OTHER federal agency could demand that you allow them access to your MedX records to remain in compliance with administrative rules. Read that again. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES. Not laws duly enacted by an elected body. "Why should I care", you ask, "I've got nothing to hide". Nope, you don't, at least not yet. It seems to me I read somewhere recently that the Constitution guarantees no right to privacy. This bothers me. The fourth amendment mutters something about search and seizure that apparently resonates at a frequency above normal hearing. Why does the government have a "right" to my personal history whether it's medical, sexual, financial, or religious. They don't. Be afraid indeed.

I do not disagree with your philosophy at all. However, when you sign that form XXXX for your physical application, you just waived your rights to medical privacy from the FAA. If you don't want to sign, that is fine with them. It will be one less name they have to deal with and they won't have to issue you a medical. I don't believe the computer form has changed that.

Personally, it's just another reason to work towards the E-LSA catagory.

gbflyer wrote:

Emory Bored wrote: Agreed. This is not good. One will need to serve one's doctor with a document demanding that no medical record be placed in MedX. Most doctors would refuse treatment. Currently anyone needing access to your records needs your signed approval to gain access. With this move we lose that control. FAA and any OTHER federal agency could demand that you allow them access to your MedX records to remain in compliance with administrative rules. Read that again. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES. Not laws duly enacted by an elected body. "Why should I care", you ask, "I've got nothing to hide". Nope, you don't, at least not yet. It seems to me I read somewhere recently that the Constitution guarantees no right to privacy. This bothers me. The fourth amendment mutters something about search and seizure that apparently resonates at a frequency above normal hearing. Why does the government have a "right" to my personal history whether it's medical, sexual, financial, or religious. They don't. Be afraid indeed.

I do not disagree with your philosophy at all. However, when you sign that form XXXX for your physical application, you just waived your rights to medical privacy from the FAA. If you don't want to sign, that is fine with them. It will be one less name they have to deal with and they won't have to issue you a medical. I don't believe the computer form has changed that.

Personally, it's just another reason to work towards the E-LSA catagory.

Yup, but on the paper form, lets just say someone forgot to include a doctor's name for instance. Then who they gonna call; ghost busters? If we go electronic on all medical information everywhere (because it will improve our medical care and bring down costs) we lose a fundamental right to privacy. Just saying. I would not go there. I personally think that once one goes down the path of deliberately lying you've got too much shit to remember and you've lost the battle. And this whole business of the MedX system eliminating data entry problems is pure fantasy. Just look around.

I agree EB. Electronic medical records are coming, I'd wager everyone's will be in some database within the next 5-10 years.