DOT Medical Card Trouble - Sleep Apnea - Need Advice

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by tjoy, May 23, 2022.

  1. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Found a new job yet?
     
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  3. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Go to a different examiner. Tell them exactly what you told the first Doc and answer all of the questions the same. Tell him the same as you just told us. You should be ok.
    Getting a second opinion is allowed, as long as you provide the same info. Otherwise it may be considered "Doctor Shopping" which is not allowed.
     
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  4. tlalokay

    tlalokay Medium Load Member

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    If you don't accept the employment offer, then it shouldn't matter what their clinic told you. That 3-month card the company clinic gave you is kindling as far as the state and you are concerned.

    If you have a 2-year medical certification on file with the state that issued your DL, they will not continue processing "new certs" as long as the initial qualifying certification is valid. Once you comply with the state requirement, that's it. There is no need to file any other medical certifications and no one else can submit a medical examiners certificate on your behalf. Any additional medical examiner certifications would only serve as "in-house" certification, meaning, it would only affect your employment status and not your state certification status.

    From the Georgia DDS website:

    "All Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders licensed in Georgia may submit their Medical Certifications online. However, CDL drivers wishing to certify their driving category or make a change to their CDL Self Certification Status must submit the CDL Self Certification Form in person at a DDS Customer Service Center.

    Please note that Self Certification Forms only need to be submitted once. They must be re-submitted (in person) ONLY if there is a change in the Self Certification Status."

    According to the website, any re-submissions must be done in person by the DL holder. It is not the medical examiner or the employer who submits the "self-certification form" for the DL holder.
     
  5. a.paul

    a.paul Light Load Member

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    Once you get in the trap you’re stuck. But the way things are going you might not have much choice.

    I stayed awake through my at home sleep study and still got told I have apnea. And you can’t fight it once they diagnose it because they all have an interest in keeping the racket going.

    I’m like you—years of powerlifting and strongman stuff added to the fire hydrant build I was born with and presto.
     
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  6. Lazer

    Lazer Road Train Member

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    My first employer after I sold my business, told a room full of employee that we were gathering for a safety mtg., concerning the new cdl rules/testing/requirements etc., told all of us to never, ever, ever, indicate on the any form, dmv questionnaire, physical exam, etc., that you snore.
     
  7. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    That's correct!
     
  8. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    Everyone has sleep apnea.


    We can sale you this machine, that you’ll hate, and you’ll be ok.

    I’d find a new job, new ME, or use the current med card.
     
  9. Floridaman72

    Floridaman72 Bobtail Member

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    A few critical pieces of advice in regards to sleep apnea and physicals...

    #1 Absolute most critical - NEVER TAKE THE SLEEP APNEA TEST! walk out of the physical if you have to, never use that company again. It will haunt you for life.

    #2 - You are the healthiest man in the world, never answer yes to any questions or check any boxes you don't have to, they can't see your previous medical history outside of DOT physicals. They can't see records from your primary care physician. Remember the DOT physical isn't about your well being, this isn't like your local doctors office, this is occupation medicine which exists to basically screw you over anyway they can.

    #3 - You can just go to another physician and get your 2 year card without issue, don't mention the last physical. They won't check your previous DOT physical records unless it's through the same provider or they are given suspicion, ie; if you fail at Concentra urgent care, never go there again and roll with another provider.

    #4 - Any company you look at, when you talk to the recruiter ask if they'll take your current medical card, if they require a pre-employment physical (especially if it's through their choice of provider) just walk away and take another job, a company you work at for only a month can cause legal issues that will last you your career. Pre-employment physicals are unethical and are essentially putting you through double jeopardy (sometimes several times a year).

    #5 - Say what you will about the ethics of the physical, I'm not leaving my career and financial future to hinge on the opinions of some CNA who doesn't know how to operate a blood pressure cuff and can't find a vein to save their life. These doctors, company policies, laws etc... are not about protecting the public or drivers on the road, it is about serving insurance companies and protecting carriers. With that being said there is an ethical angle to this, it is up to YOU the driver to know if you are physically and mentally fit to be a trucker. Remember even if you get away with your 2 year card, if you have a heart attack at the wheel, you can destroy your life and the lives of countless others.

    #6 - Sleep apnea is a huge scam in the trucking industry, there are physicians that don't care and won't pry at it, there are those that will take the tape measure to your neck and destroy your career because they want to sell you their c-pap machine. Occupational medicine as a whole is a scam and only serves companies. Occupational medicine exists to make sure you spend money on their physicals and deny you workers comp and other things.

    #7 - Read into the laws regarding DOT physicals, this is the apex predator of CDL career destruction. You have no idea how much damage a check box or a decimal number on a piece of paper can have on your life, the difference between a meaningless number like 39.8 and 40 can cost you your career, home, family, well being and life. The DOT will periodically audit your background if suspicion is raised or for some reason a lawyer is compelled to dig through your records. Be careful with the records and info about you floating around out there.
     
    SevynsUp Thanks this.
  10. Flattop23

    Flattop23 Light Load Member

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    Feb 23, 2022
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    Does southeast milk still have a hiring freeze
     
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