FAA Ethics and Patient Confidentiality

[sorrygottarunway]

I have an interesting question dealing with medical ethics. How much freedom does the FAA have to investigate your medical history without your consent? Lets say I had a situation similar to MedicRyans in another post where I had some disorder about 10 years ago. This puts me in the age range of 13, wayyy before I began flying. Then I began flying and never reported it, since during my entire flying career, the same debilitating condition never existed. Does the FAA have any right to call my pediatrician or non-FAA physician to get a medical history, or would this impede along the confines of patient confidentiality? (this is taking into account that the applicant knows that all disorders EVER have to be reported and that there is a large fine for falsification... my question is purely based on ethics).


Personally, I've never even given much thought to past medical issues at all. Usually the FAA surgeons I visit are more interested in a handshake and the $140 (in cash or check). I wonder how many people actually don't put "the full truth" on their application and everything slides through the large amounts of paperwork and red tape.

[Clocks]

My guess is you did authorize the FAA to investigate your medical history. I'm not sure, but I'm gamble there is a line somewhere in the fine print, or a reg somewhere, that allows them to do it.

I am curious to find out the real answer though.

[Reigleite]

Originally Posted by sorrygottarunway

...my question is purely based on ethics).

Try not to mention the FAA and ethics in the same thought ever again! haha I feel your pain on this one man...here's my rant for what it's worth even though you asked from an ethical standpoint I'm going to tell you what you don't want to hear (just like I didn't want to hear it).

Ya know I'm going through the same thing right now and it's been tough. I think the key thing here is doing the "right thing." I was in training at a 121 carrier and had a syncope episode. As it turns out it was nothing more than dehydration. I disclosed it to the carrier and self grounded myself until I complete all of my testing to apease the feds. For the criticizm I've received on this from friends, at least I go to bed every night knowing that I've done the right thing and it was a short two month detour. Besides I read a sobering statistic that the FAA only denies 0.7% of deferrels anyway. I'll take my 99.3% chance thank you! That's only if you get deferred of course. You may get issuance right in the AME's office which is better yet. I'm not gonna blow all of my business on here but I subscribe to the theory that if you tell the truth now and ever have a problem later at least your rear is covered b/c you disclosed it. Too many people get wrapped up in the thought of how will a federal offense affect me in getting hired at a regional. Think about how a federal offense will affect you living life. The fact that a regional airline might turn you down should be the last thought you have. Remember two things if you are thinking of lying. 1.) If you lie you had better have a good memory. 2.) 9 times out of 10 you will have to tell a lie to cover a lie

[My Flight Surgeon]

Originally Posted by sorrygottarunway

I have an interesting question dealing with medical ethics. How much freedom does the FAA have to investigate your medical history without your consent? Lets say I had a situation similar to MedicRyans in another post where I had some disorder about 10 years ago. This puts me in the age range of 13, wayyy before I began flying. Then I began flying and never reported it, since during my entire flying career, the same debilitating condition never existed. Does the FAA have any right to call my pediatrician or non-FAA physician to get a medical history, or would this impede along the confines of patient confidentiality? (this is taking into account that the applicant knows that all disorders EVER have to be reported and that there is a large fine for falsification... my question is purely based on ethics).


Personally, I've never even given much thought to past medical issues at all. Usually the FAA surgeons I visit are more interested in a handshake and the $140 (in cash or check). I wonder how many people actually don't put "the full truth" on their application and everything slides through the large amounts of paperwork and red tape.

1) You have to live with yourself.

2) The FAA cannot see your medical records without your consent. They ask you for copies to review. If you don't give them all copies (and they will find out becuase of what someone said in the record) or refuse, they just don't give you a medical. Flying is a privilege, not a right. Reigleite has it right, if you tell a lie, you will have to tell another lie to try to cover the first one or someone (usually a pissed off ex) will turn you in.

[sorrygottarunway]

Originally Posted by My Flight Surgeon

1) You have to live with yourself.

2) The FAA cannot see your medical records without your consent. They ask you for copies to review. If you don't give them all copies (and they will find out becuase of what someone said in the record) or refuse, they just don't give you a medical. Flying is a privilege, not a right. Reigleite has it right, if you tell a lie, you will have to tell another lie to try to cover the first one or someone (usually a pissed off ex) will turn you in.

Hahaha awesome. Thanks for your insight

[XcalibeR]

Oh, oh, I know this one!

§ 67.413 Medical records.

(a) Whenever the Administrator finds that additional medical information or history is necessary to determine whether an applicant for or the holder of a medical certificate meets the medical standards for it, the Administrator requests that person to furnish that information or to authorize any clinic, hospital, physician, or other person to release to the Administrator all available information or records concerning that history. If the applicant or holder fails to provide the requested medical information or history or to authorize the release so requested, the Administrator may suspend, modify, or revoke all medical certificates the airman holds or may, in the case of an applicant, deny the application for an airman medical certificate.
(b) If an airman medical certificate is suspended or modified under paragraph (a) of this section, that suspension or modification remains in effect until the requested information, history, or authorization is provided to the FAA and until the Federal Air Surgeon determines whether the person meets the medical standards under this part.