Sleep apnea

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by LooneyTune, Sep 17, 2009.

  1. LooneyTune

    LooneyTune Just plain nuts

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    Good morning all. I was just wondering if any drivers like me had to go thru a sleep study required by their DOT doctor? I'm working for a company based out of Iowa and appearantly all Iowa DOT doctors are making anyone who is overweight or has a neck size over 17 inches get a study done. Don't get me wrong I'm glad I did because I was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea and I now have a CPAP machine and it HAS made a world of difference. My biggest complaint is the amount of time given to get all this done. My doctor gave me a 6 month physical and said that would be plenty of time... one big problem with that though.... my insurance didn't kick in till 3 months later and the test alone is 3200 dollars. And I found that the sleep center showed little concern about getting me in and getting this done right away so I would not lose my certification. Had to convince the DOT doctor to extend my physical twice before finally giving him a readout from the machine that allowed me to finally get a regular 2 year physical.

    Also in my opinion, if the DOT is requiring you to do this, shouldn't they be responsible for setting everything up and getting things rolling instead of just throwing it in your lap and say "here, you deal with it." I'm curious because I've been told that by the end of 2010, this will be nationwide and EVERY driver will be required to get a sleep study in order to be certified. Can you imagine the headache this will cause? Anyone else have an opinion on all this or been thru something similar?
     
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  3. Markk9

    Markk9 "On your mark"

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    It's your responsibility to meet the medical requirements, why should I (a taxpayer) pay for it?

    Mark
     
  4. eckz

    eckz <strong>"Radio Rambo"</strong>

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    Not you, the taxpayer, but maybe some of the money that those rolling tax collectors collect could go toward helping drivers out, or the company could as well. I understand his frustration about it just being "thrown in his lap" and in my opinion it isn't even that serious of an issue.

    If you check the other threads about it you will see that the people behind these new requirements are lobbyist and manufactures for the CPAP machines. My dad has been driving all his life with sleep apnea and still has yet to have an accident.
     
    LooneyTune Thanks this.
  5. 112racing

    112racing Road Train Member

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    You will have to get the test but you should be able to deduct all out of pocket expences off your tax's as you do with your cdl/twic/hazmat
     
  6. Markk9

    Markk9 "On your mark"

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    If you need it for the job, you can take it as a tax deduction. All expenses needed for the job are a tax deduction.

    Mark
     
  7. LooneyTune

    LooneyTune Just plain nuts

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    Mark I understand where you are coming from when you said why should the taxpayer pay for it. All I was saying since the DOT doctor mandated it then there should have been a little more effort on his part to get the ball rolling. For example, when I called the sleep center to schedule this test they kept blowing me off and acting like "we'll get to you, when we get to you." When I called the DOT doctor and asked if he could give me a referral to the sleep center in Cedar Rapids, who could get me in right away when I called them, I was told flat out by him NO. Mark I know it was required and I did do it, the point I was trying to make was that it shouldn't be this much of a hassle in my opinion.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2009
  8. truckerdad57

    truckerdad57 Light Load Member

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    Looney.. there are firms who specialize in treating sleep apnea in truckers. Most of the will schedule you while you are over the road.. most have truck parking at the sleep lab...

    Be glad your DOT doc gave you 6 months to get the sleep apnea test. They are only supposed to give you a 3 month card.. and that you don't get insurance for 3 months does not matter to FMCSA...

    If you think getting a sleep study done is a hassle just wait until your next DOT physical. when you need to give the medical examiner a letter from your sleep doctor that you are under current and effective treatment. You will need a data download from your CPAP... But if your sleep doc has never heard of FMCSA ans does not specifically prescribe a data capable CPAP you wont be able to....

    BMI alone is a horrible way to screen for sleep apnea.. but its what the medical review board reccomended.

    112racing.. sorry to disagree with you.. But according to a CPA who specializes in trucking related tax matters sleep apnea testing or treatment is only deductible as a medical expense. You can not claim your eyeglasses as a business expense? IRS treats sleep apnea like eyeglasses... sorry to disagree....
     
  9. LooneyTune

    LooneyTune Just plain nuts

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    Trucker luckily I can go the home medical supply company and she can download the info required for the DOT doctor and faxed to him. Hence finally got the 2 year physical. But yes I've already been informed that I have to bring a readout each time to get recertified to prove I am using it at least 80 percent of time.
     
  10. truckerdave1970

    truckerdave1970 On Probation

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    Tax deductible or not! Who has $3200 laying around to give to some fly by night, carpet bagger that has figured out a new way to scam truckdrivers b/c some bureacrat has been led to think a fat neck means you have sleep apnea?
    How many accidents are caused every year b/c of sleep apnea? NOT A SINGLE ONE!!! This is just another myth being shoved down our throats by these professional liars, oops I meant to type lobbyists who are trying to make a profit using propaganda and fear-mongering!!!
    BTW, I have a CPAP device and use it every time I lie down and have since 1998. I am just sick and tired of these liars trying to force people to spend money they dont have on things they may not need!
     
  11. LooneyTune

    LooneyTune Just plain nuts

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    Truckerdave, thankfully my health insurance thru the company picked up the tab since this was being required by my job. But I did have to wait for the insurance to kick in cause as you said who has 3200 dollars just lying around? :biggrin_25513:
     
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