The “HIMS Program” is an occupational substance abuse treatment and monitoring program, specific to commercial pilots that coordinates the identification, treatment, and return to work process for affected aviators. It is an industry-wide effort in which managers, commercial airlines, pilots, air traffic controllers, healthcare professionals, and the FAA work together to preserve careers and enhance aviation safety.

As part of his forensic services practice, Dr. Beech is qualified by the FAA to evaluate pilots with alcohol and other substance use concerns and/or psychiatric issues. He is a “HIMS Psychiatrist.” In addition to HIMS program enrollees and prospective HIMS program candidate, Dr. Beech is also qualified to perform ordered psychiatric evaluations for similar concerns in non-HIMS cases and aviators seeking class 2 or class 3 medical certifications, air traffic controllers, and non-airline-affiliated matters.

Dr. Beech attended the HIMS basic education seminars in 2014 and 2017 and the advanced topics seminars in 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025. He attended and presented at the 1st annual Aerospace Behavioral Health Seminar in November, 2024. With over ten years of experience working with the population of pilots, air traffic controllers, aviation medial examiners, and applicants for medical certification, Dr. Beech has evaluated over 200 aviators and prospective aviators. He communicates regularly with aviation medical examiners and psychiatry staff at the FAA to stay abreast of the latest standards and their interpretation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How do I schedule an evaluation?

If an application has already been made with the FAA and they have ordered the evaluation, the first step is to complete, print, and sign this form: 
View Release Form

and then return the form to the office. The completed signed form can be scanned and sent by email to aviation@douglasbeechmd.com, or sent via fax to 614-388-2200 or by regular mail to: 

Douglas Beech, MD
6797 N. High St. Suite 327
Worthington, OH 43085

Note that the form must be physically signed, (An electronic signature is not acceptable).

Once the form is received, it will be uploaded electronically to the FAA and Dr. Beech will be granted access to the applicant’s FAA medical file. The time required to be granted access to the file varies. After access and review of the file an in-person examination can be scheduled. After the examination, a report is usually forwarded to the airman’s aviation medical examiner. (In some circumstances the report is forwarded directly to the FAA).

If the evaluation has been ordered by the FAA, the applicant/aviator is encouraged to forward the specific letter from the FAA which specifies this. The applicant/aviator is also free to forward any and all documents already in his or her possession (or request their AME or other medical provider to do so), which may facilitate the process. (This is also true for those who are first-time applicants and who have not yet submitted an application to the FAA.)

Does the psychiatrist make a determination of my medical certification?

No. The FAA makes the determination of medical certification. Dr. Beech will conduct the evaluation and complete a report. In the report he will render opinion(s) about diagnosis, treatment, and other observations as applicable and attempt to address the FAA’s specified concerns and the standards according to the code of federal regulations. The structure of the evaluation opinion is conducted in part to address concerns according to the FAA’s standards and criteria. He will forward a report to the aviation medical examiner (AME). The psychiatric evaluation results will be just one among many factors the FAA may consider to make their determination.

Does Dr. Beech perform psychological or neuropsychological testing?

No. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Beech performs the PSYCHIATRIC evaluation only. If psychological (or neuropsychological) evaluation has also been ordered, the airman must also see a psychologist/neuropsychologist for that evaluation. The letter from the FAA (and/or communication from your AME) will specify whether a psychiatric evaluation only is required, or both a psychiatric and psychological (“P & P”) evaluation are required.

My letter says I need to have my evaluation conducted by a forensic psychiatrist or one with forensic qualifications. Does Dr. Beech have forensic qualifications?

Yes. 

I am up against a deadline for having this evaluation completed, what can I do?

It is up to the aviator/applicant and his or her aviation medical examiner to keep track of deadlines and convey these concerns to the evaluator. The 60 or 90 days requirement in most correspondence from the FAA is a standard interval of requested response; they do realize however, that this process will almost always take longer than 60 days, even under the most expedient conditions on everyone’s part. There are processes in place to contact the FAA to request an extension on the time frame, and they routinely grant these extensions. It is the responsibility of the airman/applicant to keep track of deadlines, communicate with the FAA to request extensions. The requesting of extensions is not just common, it is the norm.

How long will this process take?

This is difficult to know for certain as each step along the way takes time. The FAA requires that evaluators review the FAA airman file before meeting for evaluation, so getting access to this file is the first step. As of June 2025, it has been taking around 6-8 weeks for access to files to be granted once requested. This time frame has increased recently due to changes in staffing associated with the DOGE initiative. After being granted access to the file, it usually takes a couple of weeks’ time to review. Dr. Beech can usually schedule the evaluation appointment within six weeks of reviewing the file. Needing to obtain additional records after the evaluation meeting typically extends the time required. After meeting, it takes about three weeks to complete the report. The following timeline provides rough estimates of time for each step. Every situation is different.

1. Initial contact and upload release form to FAA: 5 days

2. Access to file granted after upload release: 6-8 weeks

3. Time to read/review file: (varies depending on size): 1-2 weeks

4. Time to schedule meeting: 4-6 weeks

5. Time to complete and send report 3 weeks

What is the cost for an evaluation?

The fee for the majority of evaluations is in the range $2,500-$3,500.  The fee is sometimes outside of this range. An initial retainer payment of $1,500.00 is due by the time of the initial appointment. The cost is derived solely from the amount of time the evaluation takes. The time varies based on many factors, including the volume of documents, the complexity of the case history, the number of issues needing addressed in the report, and the need for collateral interviewing. Evaluations that are restricted to an alcohol (or other substance) -related issue on average tend to take less time. Evaluations that involve psychiatric issues (such as depression, anxiety, medications, diagnostic questions, special issuance) and/or forensic/legal issues tend to take more time. Evaluations that include BOTH a substance-related issue AND a psychiatric/mental health issue almost always take more time and cost more than average. A more specific estimate of cost may be possible once the file has been reviewed in its entirety.

Why is a HIMS evaluation more costly than a clinical evaluation with a psychiatrist or other medical specialist?

This type of evaluation is conducted for a different purpose (a third party’s purpose) than a clinical evaluation (for treatment) and thus requires considerably more time. The process usually involves several hours of additional time beyond a typical evaluation for treatment. The independent evaluation requirements include:

• A more in-depth history and examination with a regulatory (vs. clinical) focus

• Review of all historical medical and other records is required

• A much more extensive report than is typical for clinical work

• Sometimes the interviewing of others with knowledge of the airman

What are the payment options?

The most mutually convenient payment mechanism is an electronic payment either via Zelle or PayPal. Dr. Beech is identified with both of these systems via this email address (drbeech@douglasbeechmd.com). If your bank uses the Zelle system, this is the most efficient method. Any form of credit card can be used with PayPal. (A PayPal account is not required). This method can be accessed at the following link:

https://www.paypal.com/vu/webapps/mpp/send-money-online

Use Dr. Beech’s main email address, drbeech@douglasbeechmd.com to identify him as the payee for both Zelle and PayPal. Payments cannot be accepted via Venmo.

Alternatives to electronic payments including credit card, check, or cash and are all acceptable. A retainer payment of $1500.00 is due at the initial appointment. Payment of the remaining balance is required prior to the submission of the final report. In certain cases (such as an unusually high volume of records and/or a highly complex history), it is clear that the time commitment involved will be greater than the typical range. When this is known from the outset, the airman may be asked to provide a higher retainer payment prior to scheduling an appointment.

Will my health insurance cover the cost?

It is very unlikely. Even though it is a medical service, work of this type is not conducted for a treatment or health purpose for the insured individual; it is generally viewed by the health insurance as serving a third party’s regulatory purpose with regard to employment and not health, and therefore usually will not be covered by health insurance. The airman is certainly free to ask the health insurance company whether any portion of his or her fee will be reimbursable.

Can a pilot see Dr. Beech for monitoring after a special issuance has been granted? Can a pilot see Dr. Beech for treatment? 

While Dr. Beech can perform an evaluation and/or subsequent monitoring for reporting to the FAA, he does not provide treatment directly. For ethical and objectivity reasons, Dr. Beech does not combine the roles of treater and independent evaluator/monitor. Similarly, he can provide treatment, but does not provide any reporting or monitoring to the FAA for individuals that he is treating.