Insurance Billing

[Bandit_Driver]

Just wondering why can't a flight physical be billed to the insurance company. My AME keeps telling me it is illegal. If one's insurance allows 1 physical a year, what is the difference if it is for a 1st class or just a general one? Seems like a strange rule to me or is my AME just milking all the pilots for CASH?

[My Flight Surgeon]

It is totally dependent on the insurance contract. The type of physical and how it is billed will vary by carrier.

We use a diagnosis code that indicates the physical is job-related. It really is not a "health maintenance" examination, i.e., one that includes a full panel of lab tests, X-rays, etc. and you wouldn't want that done by the AME. Anything that shows up on the physical is then reportable by the AME to the FAA (see where I am going?).

What we do in our office is provide the pilot a copy of a paid receipt for the examination and if they so chose they can submit it for reimbursement by the insurance company. Southwest pilots have one physical per year covered by contract and this system works well for them.

Hope this helps.

[Bandit_Driver]

Never thought of it that way. Thanks for the insight...