Talked to my AME at length today

[knot4u]

Not to be a grumpy jerk, but only if we lived in a different timeline, where everyone on the planet was connected to some kind of network that had a database in which you could enter search terms, and have it produce pages and pages of results right to you, in seconds! If you really want to be on the fringe, that earth would also have the ability of every single person on the planet to carry such information on a tiny terminal in their back pocket.



Believe me, the one in Metairie taught me all I needed to know about raising the flag.

Given @derg s experience a database like that would also be accessed by the folks at the FAA, and if the medical practitioners are just using medical coding as a tool to fleece the insurance companies with bogus diagnosis info it could do irreparable damage to your career. If you could trust people to not take advantage for profit your utopia might work, but humans will almost always dispose of their morals for money as long as they're not going to get into legal or financial trouble.

 

[guywhoflies]

I appreciate the sentiment but if you’re not aware search engines have turned into useless nonsense so unless you have a proper keyword to get thru the stupidity of new google theres almost zero chance of finding anything anymore
“off insurance doctor” produced lots of news articles and urgent care clinics

do they call themselves/the business a “concierge medical practice?” “secret cabal of medicine for not poor people?”

I would google “concierge doctor near xyz”. I’ve even seen a few ads for concierge doctors here in Tampa.

 

[bp]

I would google “concierge doctor near xyz”. I’ve even seen a few ads for concierge doctors here in Tampa.

thanks, good idea. I live in a rather working class area and it’s not something i’ve ever encountered or conceived of being broke most of my life, given the nature of the biz on display here it’s not naturally something i’d think that would be advertised if the clientele is so limited.

 

[MikeD]

Always a good idea to never have your doctor and your AME, as the same person.

 

[derg]

Always a good idea to never have your doctor and your AME, as the same person.

Yeah, but Dr. Forred was awesome, I broke the rules.

 

[MikeD]

Yeah, but Dr. Forred was awesome, I broke the rules.

He was a rarity, as was Battersby.

 

[derg]

He was a rarity, as was Battersby.

“You smoke? Want one? How’s your hearing? Alright, see ya”

 

[pwttogfk]

Not only is my doctor a private pilot, I hired one of his CFIs. I’m not too worried about him cooking my books.

Also, wouldn’t it be great if there was some simple way to broaden the risk pool, reduce costs, and improve outcomes? Definitely not something every other country in our income bracket has figured out.

 

[BobDDuck]

thanks, good idea. I live in a rather working class area and it’s not something i’ve ever encountered or conceived of being broke most of my life, given the nature of the biz on display here it’s not naturally something i’d think that would be advertised if the clientele is so limited.

Even in less affluent areas, you'll find concierge medical services. I had one when I was living in Dayton, Ohio 15 years ago.

 

[bp]

Even in less affluent areas, you'll find concierge medical services. I had one when I was living in Dayton, Ohio 15 years ago.

wow color me uninformed, hadn't even heard of this until it was mentioned here. you could swing it on rj money?

 

[Pilot Fighter]

Always a good idea to never have your doctor and your AME, as the same person.

It can work if you have had a long relationship.

But, you’re 99% correct.

 

[BobDDuck]

wow color me uninformed, hadn't even heard of this until it was mentioned here. you could swing it on rj money?

If I recall it was about $150 a month in 2008 dollars. Wasn't cheap on an RJ Captain salary back then (I think I was making $60k a year maybe?) but it was doable. Not sure where you are in the world, but I was looking at it in Hawaii last year, and was seeing most options between $3000 and $5000 a year and they almost all took FSA/HSA dollars, so it would be pre tax at least. Didn't do it because we may be moving soon and I didn't want to start a long term relationship with a doctor right now, but I will totally do it once I'm location stable.