Medical Card Changes - US Xpress

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by TruckDuo, Mar 27, 2015.

  1. TruckDuo

    TruckDuo Road Train Member

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    My wife and I had left USX end of December to take a chance at new company with the possibility of higher income. Unfortunately that didn't work out that way so we decided to go back to USX but since we had been gone for longer than 30 days we had to go through the orientation process all over again. The clinic the company uses to perform Dot physicals tried to push a sleep study on my wife even though she had no indicator other than bmi. After that happened we decided to leave rather than going through with getting the medical card and being obligated to undergo the sleep study. We decided to go to another company and we both got 2 year medical cards from there however we did end up leaving during orientation due to not liking other things about the company.

    After speaking with someone at the Markham terminal they recommended that we go to the Springfield, OH terminal because there are ongoing issues with the Markham terminal doctor. The doctor at Markham has been recommending almost everyone for a sleep study and several people have walked out to the point that USX had agreed to pay for the sleep study for anybody needing one from the Markham terminal. We were also told that they are actively searching for a different clinic to use because attendance has dropped off significantly at Markham due to these issues.

    We went to the Springfield orientation and my wife and I both got a 2 year medical card on the first day. On day 3 of orientation my wife was informed that corporate safety had said that she would need to go back to the doctor and show him the 4 month card that the Markham doctor had tried to give her. She did that and the doctor reiterated that in his professional opinion she did not need a sleep study. After that, corporate safety came back and said that in 2013 my wife should have had a sleep study, which was not accurate. She was given a 6 month card when we first came to USX and was told that in 6 months she would just need to renew it. She got a 2 year card and had been running on that card for over a year. This was explained to safety that if there was an issue 2 years after the fact was not the time to bring it up. There was some more back and forth when finally we got a call that her 2 year card would be accepted and that this situation had brought about a lot of changes.

    Because we pushed back and refused to allow the doctor to manipulate the situation the issue went all the way up to the new head of safety at corporate. When he heard the facts he was said that the prior 2 year card my wife had for USX is the one that they should have accepted when we were rehired. He stated that any rehires coming in should not be made to get a new medical card if they still have a valid medical card from USX. Furthermore, any new student hires coming into the company will be allowed to use their medical card from their school so long as it is not older than 90 days. The recruiters have also been informed of the situation at Markham and are recommending to people that they go to a different terminal until the doctor issue at Markham has been resolved if they feel they may be targeted for sleep apnea.

    I realize that sleep apnea is a real disorder and does affect some people and that having a cpap can improve your quality of sleep. The issue here is that the doctor at Markham does not care if you have any symptoms/adequate amount of risk factors for sleep apnea. They are basing their recommendation for a sleep study solely on how much you weigh. Sleep apnea can and does affect people of all sizes but the Markham doctor is not even questioning thin drivers about if they have symptoms. 20,000 drivers a day are not dying from this disorder and there is currently no law in place making sleep studies mandatory. It is left up to the doctor to use their best judgement, but as we all know, unfortunately it is about the almighty dollar nowadays. Whenever you have a doctor from a sleep clinic performing dot medical examinations there is a huge conflict of interest. They have every incentive to recommend you for a sleep study and you are not allowed a second opinion from your own doctor.

    The reason I'm posting this is because so many people out here still have the old fashioned notion that doctors will "first do no harm". They are just as corruptable as your average politician, the times have changed. As someone who comes from a family with the majority of members being in the medical industry I can attest to the power of the industrial medical complex. Doctors are pressured to push pills/machines/tests/etc that may be completely unnecessary for the sake of a dollar.

    As drivers, we need to take back the power and be the masters of our own destiny. Companies only have as much power as you give them.
     
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  3. OldHasBeen

    OldHasBeen Road Train Member

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    Why would they want a sleep study, sleeping is always off duty time, not under the steering wheel.

    I'm sure today most doctors check out people a lot closer that in yesterday years when I was out there.
     
  4. G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    If it were me and I left an employer, I would NOT go back. If I were to have left, it would have been for good enough reasons for me. For US Ex not to simply put you 2 back into a truck, no questions asked, bothers me. I think they were effing with you 2, to "teach you both" a serious lesson.

    YOU in effect cost them money, the first time they hired you, now this time?I cannot say that what you went through when you left was a difficult time, and not finding what you wanted, but to go back?

    Good Good almighty, you left for whatever reason(s), do you realistically think things will be better there a second time?

    I do wish you both well, but I kinda feel you'll be leaving again, and maybe sooner than you think.
     
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  5. joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

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    Who are YOU to disagree with any doctor? I mean seriously Truckduo, who gave you a medical license? That doctor was simply trying to help and you decide to complain? Wow! Talk about an ungrateful ####### you are!!!!!


    lol. Good to see someone pushing back. All they are doing is padding their bank accounts and the bank accounts of these "sleep study" centers. It's become a racket now, it really has.
     
  6. rda2580

    rda2580 Heavy Load Member

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    Hope you got a nice sign on bonus Duo and good luck with the Express again!
     
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  7. TruckDuo

    TruckDuo Road Train Member

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    G.Anthony - We didn't leave because we were unhappy there. We left because we were expecting to have a 46% pay increase with the job that we left USX for. USX was not messing with us in particular to "teach us a lesson", that is the process for all rehiring if you have worked at another company between working for them. It was an antiquated system and that is why this situation we went through has caused them to reevaluate the way they do things.

    You're getting off topic and missing the point of the original post. :smt079
     
  8. G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    The doctor either outright OWNS the sleep study place, or has stock in it.

    Sorta like many doctors that have the blood lab in thier office. One time blood samples were taken, but sent out. Now for the past several years, my doctors office OWNS the lab in his office. No need to say they are keeping money in house.
     
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  9. G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    I was not off topic, that I could see. You worked there, NO?

    You left there, NO?

    You left for more money, NO?

    It didn't work out, NO?

    I said that going back to a former employer is not a good idea, once you leave, you leave, and never go back, as things will NOT be the same. You cost them money the first time you were both hired. They should have taken you back with open arms if you 2 were that good? Antiquated system or not, once gone, stay gone, get separate jobs?


    They will mess with you, and in time, again, you will leave. When you left for that 46% more money, but did not find it, or whatever, never go back to a former employer. That's like taking 27 steps backwards, to go what, half a step forward?

    Hey, good luck, you'll see soon enough. You'll be here telling us your low miles for the week, sitting, etc,etc.
     
  10. Brandson

    Brandson Medium Load Member

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    It's USX grandpa. 3 people there know his name, and that's because truckduo goes out,of his way to have it that way.
     
  11. G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    Are you my red-headed illegitimate grandson?

    Need to watch what you say.
     
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