Companies that do not make you do the sleep apnea test and hire noobies

I am with the op, I would want to know if they test. This crap is ridiculous. I know it helps some people but to me way too many drivers are failing the test. I think it's a scam, not the condition, just the shear amount of people that fail seems way to high.

 

too many drivers fail the test because as a segment of the population they are in the high risk group for having it
smoking
poor sleep habits
overweight

 

If you don't have signs or symptoms of sleeping problems an examining doctor will not suggest you have a sleep study be done. I never heard of a company that required it unless it has already been noted on your medical form. If a doctor does require you get a sleep study done in order to be issued a medical card then you not the company will have to pay for the test and hopefully you are still on your old companies insurance and they will pay for it.

I once was caught up in a scam in AR. when the doctor who was doing the medical exams was also the owner of the only sleep study clinic within 100 miles and his son was the tech doing the test. His wife was the owner of the only medical supply store w/I 100 miles that sold the equipment.

A civil action case was won in which got my money back and $5000.00 cash and lead to the doctor and his son losing they licenses. The doctor and one guy from the trucking company got 5 years in jail. The wife and son got 3 year suspended and she lost her business to pay the civil action settlement.

 

Ironically, ethos, Schneider (your company and my former employer, from which I got my CPAP and still use faithfully) is one of the better participants among those who test for SA. It's the "cash cow" approach that many companies use (my current one, Crete, included) that cast a bad light on the issue.

 

Have you looked at the general condition of Americans let alone truck drivers lately? This isn't or shouldn't be a shock to anyone..

 

I unknowingly volunteered myself....you know that part of the paperwork that asks if you snore.....I said yes because I didn't want to lie....just took my test this weekend and I'm awaiting the results....it took me almost 8 months to get the appointment.

 

Just take your test results with you to your physical for the DR. I did the same and was given my 2 yr card. They just make copies and put in your file in case something ever comes back to them.

 

Along this line....at my last DOT physical time, I had to have my CPAP card read at a DME (Durable Medical Equipment) provider. They gave me 3 or 4 pages of results which I in turn took with me to the clinic when I got my physical. That was what they needed....documentation that I was using the machine the required minimum amount. I get a one-year card.

 

Not sure who your question was intended for, but answering for myself...it was up to me to know when my DOT physical expired and to take appropriate action prior to that date. In my case, I just go to my DME during a time at home within about 30 days of my physical. When I was at Schneider, I would get an automated phone reminder when it was time to mail my CPAP chip into the provider to be read (usually once every 90 days or so). They would then send me a single-page acknowledgment with my percentage of usage included. SNI would also be notified.