Two members of congress have reprimanded the FMCSA in a letter which reminds them that testing drives for sleep apnea is not a mandatory part of a standard medical exam.
Representatives Larry Bucshon and Dan Lipinski cautioned the FMCSA that “organizations that provide training for certified medical examiners are circumventing HR3095,” the ruling which prohibits the FMCSA from requiring sleep apnea testing without going through the formal rulemaking process.
The problem is that with so many doctors getting tested to become FMCSA certified medical examiners, certain training organizations are advising them to order sleep apnea tests regardless of whether or not they are warranted. According to the congressmen, a possible reason for this could be that some training providers have relationships with sleep testing labs and could benefit from the increased business.
“It is imperative that FMCSA address these issues as soon as possible,” say Bucshon and Lipinski. “These faulty training courses are keeping qualified drivers off the road. We would request a written response as to how FMCSA plans to address these issues and their progress in this endeavor.”
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Doctors???? Most examiners are nurse practioners. The last 3 times I have gone to the doctor I have seen the nurse practitioner instead of the doctor. They messed up my prescriptions, They had no clue not only what the prescription was for but what it was. They even messed up trying to redo the prescriptions. I called numerous times, received no call back, finally complained enough to get an appointment with the doctor and the nurse practitioner was supposed to be there. She called in sick that day. Good luck talking to them, they can’t even copy prescriptions off the prescription bottle and they sure won’t admit they made a mistake.
I also received physical from nurse practicioner who gave me one year and said I must lose wgt ect or I would be required to do the sleep apnea testing next time, and I interpreted that to mean that I would be required to test next time! Forget it guys, there just isn’t enough money in driving now to justify all the requirements for drivers and the no truck signs around! Am retiring early and to heck with em. Feel for you guys that must continue to do this as you have pretty much no one speaking for you. Ooida claims to but they really speak for fleet owners and not for drivers. Who is left. Teamsters do a little but it is at cross purposes to most things actually good for drivers.
You got a nurse? I got a chiropractor. They didn’t even do the urine test right. No bottles for me to initial, just leave the cup on the back of the toilet. Never saw it or the sample containers again.
The cup left on the back of the toilet was for a dip test. Nothing TO initial. The drug screen, which I no doubt believe you think the urine was for, is another completely different process. In fact, most generally done by a different “group”. Perhaps at the same location, but the physical, has nothing to do with the drug screen, and the dug screen has nothing to do with the physical.
That is a perfect example of what has happened to trucking. It is just so sad.
i just got flagged for a sleep apnea test and never had problems with it in my life. they c
flagged because i am a bigger guy.
When they go to stores and can’t find there goods ..maybe there realize how bad they have screwed up !!!
The last time I recertified my med card at Concentra, the Dr. was so old and senile that he was having me do stuff twice ‘cuz he didn’t remember that he’d already done that. And then he only gave me a 1 year certification even though I didn’t fit into any of the reasons why they would. Next year I’ll go somewhere other than Concentra.
Its bad everywhere, but Concentra is the worst. If all these companies would stop sniffing Concentra’s tear and use other clinics, this mess would stop.
*rear*…
I don’t think the test should be mandatory unless your BMI Is over 40% or by your doctor. I would have to drive over 200 miles lose two to three days work to use a sleep lab. Beside this will hit me in the wallet big time.
This sleep apnea test has become a very lucrative bussiness for concentra clinics, went I went to take my physical the Dr. Recomended a sleep apnea test which resulted according to them positive, but as went along and got my equipment and use the machine my AHI only shows 1 % instead of 9 . Went I went to get a second opinion the Dr. Told me that I dont have sleep apnea issues. Makes you wonder who is getting richer by the minute. Them crooked concentra Doctors.
Exactly what happened to me 6 months later I still don’t have my 1yr card
I am really glad to see this report as I have done a lot of study on this including with the FM CSA actually requires when diagnosed positive for obstructive sleep apnea versus what the insurance companies require.
When you look at the numbers of how many people that are diagnosed positive… It really makes you wonder.
Concentra is the WORST. I was sent there for my medical and was informed by the overweight female doctor that due to my age, neck size and the fact that I can fall asleep in front of the TV I probably have a sleeping disorder. She would only issue me a 6 month card.
She was quick to provide me with a flyer for a testing clinic that would cost me over 800 dollars out of pocket expense as my medical insurance didn’t cover it. I get a call from them 2 days later requesting that I elaborate on the chest surgery I had 2 years ago.
I growl at the called and request that the doctor have her hearing checked. I had the chest surgery when I was 2 YEARS OLD.
According to the twits at ooida concentra is making billions off this scam and dot is feigning ineffective indignation
I didn’t meet the criteria, but the doctor said I think you have sleep apnea. So I got tested and the tech said I didn’t wake up when I used the machine but I did wake often without it. I said you’re crazy cuz I kept waking up cuz the air was freezing my face! Then he said I was borderline so he was gonna just go with saying I had it.
it all comes to the money
If this is the case then the other company i drove for should have to pay me back for all of the yearly test i had to pay for over 8 yrs. The company Dr said DOT required a yearly MSLT Test.
I recently had to leave a CDL Training School because of a Sleep Apnea question on the questionnaire given during my DOT Physical. I answered honestly that, yes, I do have Sleep Apnea, for which I use a CPAP. The Nurse would not allow me to even continue with the Physical Exam until I completed a form that requires a doctor’s signature verifying that the treatment I am receiving is effective and mitigates the OSA diagnosis. I have never had any interference in the performance of my duties as a Career Army Officer (hey, I just want to drive a truck now) from my mild sleep apnea diagnosis. So now, I have had to make an appointment with my doctor who now says that I will need to see him again in 30 days for some clean data to support the claim that my sleep apnea is controlled and will not interfere with my ability to operate a CMV. I mean c’mon. I am all for safe driving and mitigating risks, but there isn’t one here and then to find out that it isn’t the law at all? I have some questions for my CDL School and their relationship with the Physicians Group that is administering the physical. I know doctors who don’t even know that it isn’t the law. More government control through regulation, and I haven’t even logged my first mile yet. Or gotten my CDL, which will not happen now for at least 7 1/2 weeks counting school/training time. What a racket!
someone needs to get the crap together, Concentra Health clinics in Fla are refusing to issue health cards on the basis of the new law implemented in May. A friend just went to one in Fla to get a new job, even tough he has been tested and is using a CPAP machine they said it was to old and if it could not produce data to show his sleep habits he would have to buy a new machine or be retested. And he has a current Medical card.
That’s one reason I lost my cdl because the doc said I have to have a sleep study and my doc of 40 years said I was fine
Went to be recertified at concentra as per company request. Was giving a 1 month card and told my neck was too big, go get a sleep apnea test. Was told at time I could go to my PCP or use one of those convenient companies they have the pamplets for. Hummm. Made an appointment with my PCP and took him the paperwork they gave me. Asked him about setting up a sleep study. He proceeded to read the papers very carefully. Upon his own careful examination he proceeded to fill out the portion stating I was not in need of this and would not be a hazard on the road. Thinking all is well I took this back to concentra. Once I gave it to the attending nurse the excitement began. I was told this was a lawful mandate their was no way I would get my card without the study. Even though my primary care physician clearly said it was unnecessary. This is when I got pissy. I called them on their affiliation with the groups in the pamplets. Then I get the office lawyer in and I’m not so politely asked to leave the facility. I made my feelings very clear to the entire staff and all patrons in the waiting room. They even reported me to my employer before I could get back. Luckily for me they were on my side with this. To all who enter concentra, beware they are crooks. I have another company who has consumed with my pcp and assures me I will have no more problems.
here is the doctor /senator behind all the sleep apnea scams…making a percentage off each test..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Bucshon
I’m in the middle of getting my use results together for concentra., but I understand trump just canceled the sleep apnea testing for commercial drivers, does anyone have ideas of what I should do?