A joint analysis performed by the American Transportation Research Institute and the Mayo Clinic suggests that instead of improving the medical certification process for drivers, the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) has actually made things worse in just about every way.
Using data gathered from at least 3,968 medical examinations; interviews with industry professionals; and surveys of medical examiners, drivers, and carriers, the study sought to determine what impact if any the NRCME had on the trucking industry. It turns out, the impact was almost exclusively negative.
According to the analysis, there are a few key issues that may need to be addressed. Among them are an increase in medical certification delays, an increase in examination costs, and a perception that there are many “unqualified or incompetent” doctors performing DOT medical exams. Some of these issues may have been present before the NRCME was implemented and simply went unnoticed, while others are a direct result of – or made worse by – the new program.
Carriers and drivers alike noted that there has been an increase in delays caused by the medical certification process. These delays result in lost wages for drivers as well as lost productivity for carriers. Time and money are spent on testing, treatment, and additional doctor visits which many drivers noted were unnecessary and expensive. According to respondents, 5.9% of drivers were not issued a medical certificate on the same day as their exam.
Over half of the drivers surveyed (63.3%) noted that the cost of their medical exams have increased. The cost is expected to increase even further as fewer and fewer doctors are available to conduct exams. Of those doctors who bothered to get on the NRCME, 15.3% said they were not planning to renew their certification when it expires. This may mean that drivers will have to travel farther, wait longer, and pay more to see the few doctors that will still give DOT physicals.
Some Certified Medical Examiners (CMEs) are already less involved than perhaps they should be according to the study. Respondents claim that some medical exams are completed far too quickly to cover all of the requirements, leaving a few tests – most commonly vision and hearing checks – off their lists entirely. Carrier respondents ranked “unqualified or incompetent medical examiners” as one of the most critical issues. Concerns over CMEs are so high that the majority of carriers surveyed said that they require their drivers to visit specific doctors to ensure a high-quality examination. Even then, many carriers double-check medical forms submitted by CMEs to ensure “consistent quality.”
You can view the report in its entirety on the ATRI website by clicking here.
Source: gobytrucknews, atri, atri, atri, truckinginfo, overdrive
Ron says
Then why don’t we roll back the regulations a bit and get this all In place before we make things so bad that their are no tricks on the road
Gordon says
Time and time again the government gets involved and things get worse. Prior to this CRAP my DOT medical was conducted by my primary physician who knew everything about me and now I see some stranger who knows what I tell him on the questionnaire.
Way to go US Government. the biggest waste of money and personal time.
Kevin says
Absolutey Agree! The whole industry needs a re-look on useless regulations, and improve the ones that are good ( I’m trying to think of some…).
Jim says
What do you mean? The government is the very model of efficiency! Why, just look at the VA and the post office as an example! YEP! It just doesn’t get any better!
Buckskin says
Not to mention if you go to one of there supposed certified medical examiners ,then six months later the fmcsa sends you a letter and says we don’t think they done a good job you need to get another one or were going to suspend your CDL,with no recourse,go figure!!!
robin says
Every time the government tries to “improve” something… They always managed to make it worse.
But then again, the government also calculates to gain an increase taxes as if there is no change in purchases and then is puzzled why they’re not gaining the amount of revenue projected.
Hopefully, Trump will keep his word and get rid of these so many stupid regulations which are causing a lot of us to leave the business because we’re tired of the BS.
claude says
anytime the government get involved in anything, you can bet it will be screwed up.
Lloyd Bonifide says
The government doesn’t consider any of the complications listed to be demerits. It doesn’t affect them.
Stephanie says
Incompetent is one way to put it. Blithering idiots who just don’t care is another.
I had one doctor tell me because of a condition I had, that I was unable to qualify with a physical. He was wrong, and I was finally able to go to another doctor (same chain of clinics) that qualified me. He stuck to the guidelines, gave me a 6 month card, and told me if all went well the next time, I’d get a year. Oh, but I needed a letter from my neurologist claiming I was okay/
I go back 6 months later with a letter from the neuro, and the doctor this time doesn’t even look at it. Instead, he wants to address a medication I had been on for years, telling me I should have only had 1 year cards because of it. I should have brought in a letter from my prescribing doctor for that, not the letter from the neuro.
In 8 months I got the run around 3 times. Is it any wonder drivers omit details on their forms, or go to doctors that just don’t care? This is supposedly a place with a high standard of care (yeah, right) and if they can’t get anything right, why should a driver try?
Jcruz says
Medical examiners fallowing government rules, for truckers no surprise we have to put up with all this rules. Almost on everything, every year there is a new rule. Only to make worse the situation.
Jeopardizing the trucking industry. Specially for owner operators operating with their own authorities.
Tom says
I remember a day when a medical exam wasn’t a requirement. If I need one, why shouldn’t the guy in the 4 wheeler that has diabetes that is treated with unsulin, high blood pressure, two heart attacks and can’t see two feet in front of their face be required to have a physical and log his hours like I have to before he plows into a school bus?
Chuck Numpkins says
This article is a straight up fabrication.
Jim says
What gets me is that this same unwieldy, burdensome bureaucracy says they can manage our healthcare, education, and everything else!
Michael says
Vision and hearing test are a joke anyway you can see because of the paperwork you just filled out and apparently you can hear because the doctor talks to yeah.
Lance N. says
I am a mechanic in good physical shape. A doc I tried wanted me to have a sleep study and would only give me a 1 year card because I checked the questionnaire box that I sometimes snore.
Yet the 300-450lb land whales that drive at work have no problem getting 2 year cards even through they can’t see their own feet let alone touch them!
I have seen many drivers with slits in their shirts from the steering wheel cutting into their belly.
A driver literally occupying TWO chairs while eating a large pizza to himself.
A driver tried to sue the shop because we refused to alter the truck floorpan to move the seat further back.
A driver fell in the yard and we had to use a FORKLIFT to help him up.
A driver admitted he literally never showers and puts his feces in a bucket for up to a week at a time in his truck.
All those drivers can somehow not only PASS a physical, they get a 2 year card! Yet multiple doctors can legally classify me an “at risk” driver because I said I sometimes SNORE?!?!
Jude Ossowski says
The doctor doing one of my recent physicals asked me if I snore. I replied, “Not so loudly that I wake myself up.” I got sent for a sleep apnea screening and now have to use the silly mask and pump. I also wonder how some drivers even get a 1 year card or why companies risk hiring them.
Mike says
Yeah my last exam was a joke I don’t even think the doc looked at me he just kept his head down filling out my form signed it and told me to pay out front.
MrNA says
The majority of you saying the government is broke and crooked…well that is partially true. The prob is lobbyist and big business and money. It’s all about the bucks folks and not about what’s best for us. And Robins comment of Trump fixing this…well I pray to God he does drain the swamp…I’m sure most of you have seen the Admins press release photo of Trump with the “trucking execs and Drivers”. It was 18 to 2 and I bet those 2 drivers are kiss ass to the ATA. Yep Robin. Trump can only fix what he is told. We need to speak up.
robin says
What do you guys think about this rule? You work hard for your CDL and obviously you want to keep it however, because you’re not currently driving and will not be for a while, you still have to keep your medical card up-to-date.
Don says
the medical examiner wants me to have a stress test because I had a heart attack 12 years ago…I been under a Doc’s care and been working all this time with a medical card still good for 6 months but now a different medical examiner won’t give me a medical card…wants a Hg a1C TEST, my sleep record from my CPAP machine, and the stress test …
I see a driver with with a problem with his legs swollen, blue coloring to them come in does the same exam … can hear them talking about the eye chart ,the color shown on the chart, then comes out with the medical card in his hand
MrNA says
My family Physician of 28 yrs was told to pay $1700.00 plus expenses to pay for a training session or two. The classes heard were led by Young college grads. NOT Doctors. He opted out. I found an RCME and passed as should. The Med card is becoming a bureacracy like the CVSA has.