FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
One of the most common questions we receive from pilots has to do with the reporting requirements. Questions such as “Do I have to tell my AME about the therapy, coaching, or consultation I’m receiving?” or “How much does the FAA know about my visits with LiftAffect?” Your AME and the FAA know what you disclose on your 8500 form when you apply or renew your medical certificate with your AME. That decision is left solely at the discretion of the pilot. LiftAffect does not have reporting requirements to the FAA, pilot unions, or companies and is bound by the same standards and requirements under HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) as is every healthcare provider that you work with. Any services you receive from LiftAffect are legally bound by confidentiality. LiftAffect encourages pilots to follow the expected reporting requirements of the FAA. The FAA expects pilots to report visits if they are receiving individual counseling or psychotherapy. Couples counseling, family therapy, and coaching are not considered reportable by the FAA. Should you decide to report your visits, and depending upon your circumstances, the FAA may request different levels of documentation from your healthcare provider. We will be happy to discuss your specific situation with you. Should your situation require documentation, rest assured we understand the consequences that improper documentation has on the timely issuance of your medical certificate. The FAA expects pilots to report visits if they are receiving individual counseling or psychotherapy. Couples counseling, family therapy, and coaching are not considered reportable by the FAA.
We understand the apprehension that professional pilots feel as they consider seeking help from a mental health professional or coach. Many pilots find themselves seeking professional assistance when they feel as though they are without further options and are desperate for relief from the problems they are experiencing. Unfortunately, and all too often, many pilots contact LiftAffect only after they are on the verge of personal and/or professional catastrophe. There is simply no reason to experience that kind of pain. One of the barriers that pilots face when seeking professional assistance is their inability to obtain an appointment within the constraints of their flying schedule. Maintaining regular appointments with a therapist or coach is simply not feasible for professional pilots whose schedules change every month. We understand that pilots are often on the road and traveling between multiple time zones. At LiftAffect, we take advantage of technology to offer you easy access to help. We are often able to work around your schedule and are committed to accommodating your immediate needs. No special hardware or software is required. As long as you have a phone, tablet, or computer with a camera on it you’re good to go. We make is easy for you to receive help.
Professional pilots know better than anyone that maintaining their medical certification preserves their ability to earn a living. Few healthcare providers, including many aviation medical examiners, understand the complexities that pilots face with maintaining medical certification when they experience and report various psychological issues. Current regulatory requirements regarding mental health concerns that effect pilots, compounded by the overall stigmatization of mental health issues within the aviation industry, as well as society as a whole, have created an environment that has driven pilots to hide, minimize, or ignore these types of concerns. Many pilots that have sought help for mental health issues have lost their medical certification due to an unnecessary or inaccurate diagnosis, mishandled documentation and unintentional negligence from well-intentioned mental health professionals and medical providers. Maintaining medical certification while receiving well-deserved assistance requires an in-depth and advanced level of understanding of the complexities of the criteria that the FAA utilizes when evaluating airmen that seek mental health services. LiftAffect understands these complexities better than anyone. LiftAffect is committed to providing a transparent, ethical, and clear path for pilots to receive help for mental health and mental performance issues while maintaining or regaining their medical certification.