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D.O.T. Medical, Sleep Apnea

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by Regman, Mar 11, 2012.

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  1. Mar 11, 2012 #1
    Regman

    Regman Bobtail Member

    3
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    Mar 11, 2012
    Baltimore, Maryland
    0
    My medical ran out March 2012 and I have sleep apnea. I use a cpap machine and use it all the time, I have a 97% compliance using it. The medical center that my new job sent me to told me I need a new sleep study and awake study done. They told me that they don't use the info downloaded from the smart card, and need a new sleep study. They told me they have a place to go for the sleep study. I am starting to think this Medical center is getting a kickback from the sleep center. Since I don't have health insurance it's going to cost me $1500.00, money I don't have. I had my last study done in July 2009. I'm told by another medical center that all they need is a letter from my doctor saying he doesn't believe I will fall asleep, and he can get the downloaded info from my smart card. I have no problem staying awake and I think this is ridiculous. I work local in Maryland and have been off the road for many years. I forgot to add the medical center said it was now mandatory to have a sleep study every year now.
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2012
    Regman, Mar 11, 2012
    Regman, Mar 11, 2012
    #1
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  3. Mar 12, 2012 #2
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Longview, TX
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    Did the employer tell you you had to get your medical card through a particular "medical center"? If so, and this is mandated by your employer to use THIS PARTICULAR "medical center" and their policies, the employer should be responsible for ALL testing costs. I'd tell them to take a flying leap if they are saying you have to pay out of your pocket to get an over-priced, unnecessary procedure done as a condition of their employment. Don't get us started here on the 'sleep apnea testing' racket.
     
    STexan, Mar 12, 2012
    STexan, Mar 12, 2012
    #2
  4. Mar 12, 2012 #3
    ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

    17,502
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    Ask my GPS...
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    There is no requirement to have a sleep study done at all. It is at the discretion of the examining doctor based on any symptoms you might have. I'd see if you can get your medical done somewhere else, and you should consider contacting the FMCSA in Washington. The chief medical officer in an interview said that anyone encountering this sort of scam should contact them directly.
     
    ironpony, Mar 12, 2012
    ironpony, Mar 12, 2012
    #3
    truckerdave1970 and jamesd503 Thank this.
  5. Mar 12, 2012 #4
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    You should never have copped to even using a cpap machine.
     
    Allow Me., Mar 12, 2012
    Allow Me., Mar 12, 2012
    #4
    snowblind Thanks this.
  7. Mar 12, 2012 #5
    112racing

    112racing Road Train Member

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    pocono's, pa
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    Doesn't matter if he "copped " to it or not...if he fits their profile he's gotta play by their rules ..but having to take another study when he can prove he already did and is in compliance is bs
     
    112racing, Mar 12, 2012
    112racing, Mar 12, 2012
    #5
  8. Mar 12, 2012 #6
    Regman

    Regman Bobtail Member

    3
    1
    Mar 11, 2012
    Baltimore, Maryland
    0
    Well here's the follow up. I went to another Med Center that I have used for the last 10 years, and they said that's B.S. about having to get a new sleep study done every year. Even my employer said to go to another Med center. So I do now I have my new D.O.T. medical card. Just a heads up the advisory panel suggesting rules changes to the FMCSA regarding sleep apnea are the very same people that stand to benefit from more stringent studies done since they are involved in sleep centers and making cpap equipment. Sounds to me like there is a conflict of interest here.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2012
    Regman, Mar 12, 2012
    Regman, Mar 12, 2012
    #6
  9. Mar 14, 2012 #7
    wsyrob

    wsyrob Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Bad advice here. That is a federal form he would be lying on, in writing and the question is pretty straight forward.
     
    wsyrob, Mar 14, 2012
    wsyrob, Mar 14, 2012
    #7
    truckerdave1970 Thanks this.
  10. Mar 14, 2012 #8
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Is that like being "honest" with your taxes ? Another federal form.
     
    Allow Me., Mar 14, 2012
    Allow Me., Mar 14, 2012
    #8
    snowblind Thanks this.
  11. Mar 22, 2012 #9
    GarybTCC

    GarybTCC Bobtail Member

    15
    4
    Mar 7, 2010
    Jennings, La 70546
    0
    First off let me say that , Yes there are medical companies that try to take advantage of truck drivers, and they need to be dealt with. Second I would say, anyone who has sleep apnea and is not current on treatment has no business driving any vehicle period. And they should be punished severely if they do not.

    Let me say I have been dealing with this issue for some time. Here is what I understand the rules say. 1. You do not have to have a sleep study every year. (There is not enough labs to do that.) 2. The only thing that the DOT doc should require of you is a letter from a board certified sleep do stating that you are complaint on your treatment. In some cases they may require the do to give your compliance number and yours is excellent. I personally believe that giving the DOT doc any more information is inappropriate since they are usually not sleep docs.

    I hope this helps and if you need any more information please contact us through the web site. www.awake.truckersforacause.com. There is an email address and phone number there
     
    GarybTCC, Mar 22, 2012
    GarybTCC, Mar 22, 2012
    #9
  12. Mar 22, 2012 #10
    dude6710

    dude6710 Road Train Member

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    Mar 26, 2010
    MN
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    :biggrin_2559::biggrin_25514:
     
    dude6710, Mar 22, 2012
    dude6710, Mar 22, 2012
    #10
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