New DOT physical test?

that's why TN wants you to call in after you send it..

 

Unless a doctor doing your physical IS your primary doctor, a medical examiner CANNOT become your treating physician and throw extra services at you. Yes, it is a conflict of interest, and yes they are digging for more money out of you. Yes, the new physicals have guidelines that have more drivers worried. While some of them may seem nitpicky, overall they make sense. In my 32 years in health care, I've seen enough people with a blood pressure of 180+ simply dropping over. I'd hate to pass someone with that kind of blood pressure only to have them drop over while going 70 mph on an interstate highway.

 

Yes, everything has changed. The people doing your D.O.T. physicals are not just anybody. They are professionals committed to your safety and the safety of the general public. If you've had a heart attack, your records should show that your left ventricle is pumping at better than 40% capacity. Your COPD records should show that your blood has adequate oxygenation and that you don't have a history of fainting because of it. We HAVE to check this stuff now to assure you are fit for the job you do.

 

Hey there Doc.

I m a type 2 diabetic (thanks to Agent Orange), and am taking Metformin to control my blood sugar. No other treatments. My company pays for my yearly re-cert at one of the "urgent care" chains. Before the D.O. would sign off on me, he needed the VA hospital that I use to send him my last A1c results. Now, I get a complete physical with blood work every 4 months at the VA, so I do not understand why that would be necessary. Any idea?

 

It's not. A1c is NOT a factor in determining if you can be medically qualified. This doctor is stepping beyond his bounds. While A1c might be important to your TREATING doctor, a CME is not a TREATING doctor, and therefore has no need to know what your A1c is.

 

they want to see that your type 2 diabetic is under control.... thats way they want you A1C

 

For driver fitness purposes, your diabetes is under control as long as you a. can tolerate your medication without side effects and b. have no glucose present in your urine. Whether a1c or FBS are checked are not requirements of a D.O.T. medical examiner.

 

A company can have more stringent qualifications than what is required by the FMCSA physical.
With that said, it is the driver's option to seek employment elsewhere, if they fail to meet the posted requirements.
Yes, it may be BS on their part, but the insurance carrier may be the one pushing the higher qualifications. This is done to try to reduce the costs that might come up if the drivers are marginal/slightly at risk in the physical.
You could fight it by bringing a lawsuit against the company for discrimination, but unless you could find an attorney willing to do it pro bono, you would spend more than you would make.