Overcharging for medicals?

sorrygottarunway

sorrygottarunway

Well-Known Member
So I'm coming due for mine and of course due to Murphy's law, my usual AME announced about a month ago that she was retiring. I have been going to her since I was 17, and have been used to the $80 fee she's been charging every past couple of years. I recently moved to the city and looked up the AMEs here- I don't know if its "because its New York City" or not, but the one AME listed in Manhattan that does First Class certificates charges $450! And this is not including an EKG. I am very puzzled- since the FAA changed the law decreasing the frequency of medicals, have AMEs been artificially upping their prices?

Second part of my post: I can't afford $450. I'm a regional pilot for goodness sakes! Can anyone recommend an AME in the tri-state area that won't empty the wallet for the "turn and cough, congrats" exam?
 
Never underestimate a guy on airport reserve... did some research, here are my results.

AMEs able to do 1st class medicals:

Dr. Stephen Schneider, 115 EAST 57 STREET STE 630, (212) 583-2880: $450. Secretary didn't know why he charged so much, and I bet no one else would know either.

Other AME's with pricey, but less, medicals:

Dr. Richard Slutsky, MEDICAL ASSOCIATES OF STAMFORD 1100 BEDFORD STREET, (203) 323-4458, $200




The winners so far:
Dr. Casey Ott, 49 Miry Brook Rd., Danbury CT, 203-778-4546: $150

Dr. James P. Orphanos, 23 MAPLE AVENUE, Greenwich, CT, (203) 869-0451: $150

Grand Prize goes to:
Dr. John Dellorso, NEWARK INTL ARPT 339-1 AVIS DRIVE, (973) 643-8383, $100
 
You'd be better off jumpseating to another area and renting a car. Jeez! When I did mine I counted 8 medicals in <30 minutes. I should've gone to medical school!! :D
 
Holy Crap. I believe I'd jumpseat down to Florida for the day and get one done at Spruce Creek for about $50 bucks.
 
Dad goes to the guy up on the north side of the field. That must be the last guy on your list. Probably your most "airline pilot friendly" medical too from what he mentioned once.
 
BajtheJino said:
Holy Crap. I believe I'd jumpseat down to Florida for the day and get one done at Spruce Creek for about $50 bucks.
Click to expand...

I know who you are talking about, used to do them there as well. I'd even take my students there to do them. Awesome guy.
 
Prices vary by region. In Phoenix the average price for a Class 3 is $75 but the Mayo CLinci charges $300 - go figure. The FAA does not get involved in setting prices but if an AME charges too much, he will do very few exams and eventually be taken off the AME list (minimum number is now 10 a year).
 
My Flight Surgeon said:
Prices vary by region. In Phoenix the average price for a Class 3 is $75 but the Mayo CLinci charges $300 - go figure. The FAA does not get involved in setting prices but if an AME charges too much, he will do very few exams and eventually be taken off the AME list (minimum number is now 10 a year).
Click to expand...



I'll agree 450 is way too pricy. Interesting to see that people are upset about paying over 200 for a medical, while some may also complain about consumers complaining for over 200 on a flight...
 
BajtheJino said:
Holy Crap. I believe I'd jumpseat down to Florida for the day and get one done at Spruce Creek for about $50 bucks.
Click to expand...

If you are talking about Dr. Kurrley, he has been charging $90 bucks for the past 2 years... but i dont mind paying that price, because he is an awesome guy and visiting spruce creek makes for a nice little day trip. :)
 
I know an AME in the WNY area that does class 3's for FREE!!!:rawk:
He is a also a pilot and only does them one day a week.
 
OldTownPilot said:
Dad goes to the guy up on the north side of the field. That must be the last guy on your list. Probably your most "airline pilot friendly" medical too from what he mentioned once.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I called and he accepts walk-ins most of the time with only a few hours notice. I'm planning on getting it done at the same time as hot reserve, two birds with one "turn and cough please."

I could understand charging more if insurance companies picked up the cost of our medicals. It would seem logical that our insurance benefits would include FAA medicals, but when I told my pediatrician to submit it, it got bounced. It should be counted the same as a regular physical.
 
JumpSeat down to DFW and then somehow find yourself in Roanoake, Dr Griffin will get you done for $35 for a 1st class.
 
I called around. A couple close ones were 200ish, but for a 120mi roundtrip drive I found one for $80.

After they doubled the time between exams for a lot of us, the AME's seemed to respond in kind. Can't blame 'em... but a lot of airlines don't front the bill either, so a little shopping helps.
 
sorrygottarunway said:
Never underestimate a guy on airport reserve... did some research, here are my results.

AMEs able to do 1st class medicals:

Dr. Stephen Schneider, 115 EAST 57 STREET STE 630, (212) 583-2880: $450. Secretary didn't know why he charged so much, and I bet no one else would know either.

Other AME's with pricey, but less, medicals:

Dr. Richard Slutsky, MEDICAL ASSOCIATES OF STAMFORD 1100 BEDFORD STREET, (203) 323-4458, $200




The winners so far:
Dr. Casey Ott, 49 Miry Brook Rd., Danbury CT, 203-778-4546: $150

Dr. James P. Orphanos, 23 MAPLE AVENUE, Greenwich, CT, (203) 869-0451: $150

Grand Prize goes to:
Dr. John Dellorso, NEWARK INTL ARPT 339-1 AVIS DRIVE, (973) 643-8383, $100
Click to expand...


Don't ask me why I even clicked on this thread, but I did. Was amused to read Dr. Schneider's name. He was my company's doctor back in the day. (Probably so expensive due to the high rent he must pay for his office.)
 
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