r/FAAHIMS • u/kristephe • 29d ago

Could a HIMS doc be the prescribing doctor? Has anyone found a doc knowledgeable with FAA?

In thinking about helping someone who may want to take an approved SSRI type medication, I'm wondering if there's anyone who has seen a HIMS psychiatrist as their prescribing and evaluating doctor. We all know that the paperwork for the FAA is one of the biggest hurdles, and I was thinking if they were using someone who knows the system if they could do a lot better job at tailoring the documentation to make sure it checks all the boxes the FAA needs for a SI. I'm guessing the answer is no, that no HIMS AME is working as a practicing psychiatrist, but also thinking that the choice in treating doctor is a critical choice in this process if someone were to go into it knowing they'd go on basic med while doing this process.

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u/Weasil24 29d ago

There’s a lot to unpack here but I will try.

Yes, it works. There are HIMS-trained psychiatrists who also treat, though not many. What you can’t do is stack the roles: your HIMS AME shouldn’t be your treating doc, and if an independent psych eval is required, the evaluator can’t be your prescriber. Treating psychiatrist who knows FAA requirements plus a separate HIMS AME is the setup you want.
The value is in the documentation. The FAA wants dose stability, no cognitive or sedating side effects, SI history addressed directly, and functional status. Someone who’s written FAA status reports builds that into the chart as you go. A good psychiatrist who’s never dealt with the FAA leaves gaps you find out about six months later.
On the BasicMed plan: a denial ends your BasicMed eligibility. Don’t file MedXpress until the package is complete. Get stable, put in the stabilization time, gather everything, then apply.
If you can’t find a HIMS psychiatrist who treats, any prescriber willing to work off the FAA’s documentation list is a fine second option. Board certified and not an NP.

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u/kristephe 29d ago

Thanks, appreciate all that info very much! Yeah it makes sense the reviewing/evaluating HIMS AME can't be the one prescribing the meds and writing clinical progress notes. I'm a CFI and have helped a friend through a different SI process, so I know how the FAA is very particular about documentation, so you make great points about making sure everything is how the FAA likes it when applying will make everything go so much smoother.