lying to Schneider/DOT about sleep apnea

Seebs and Dexterr

There is no such thing as a DOT approved CPAP. In fact a DOT roadside officer can not ask you about your CPAP, do you have sleep apnea or any medical related questions other than "Do you have a current DOT medical card? Are you in compliance with all conditions of the DOT medical card? (yes or no)."

A roadside officer asking more than that triggers problems with both the Health Information Privacy and Portability Act (HIPPA) and the Americans with Disability Act as Amended. The state of Minnesota recently learned aboout some of this in the recent successul OOIDA lawsuit on their fatigue enforcement program.

On the other hand... not telling a DOT medical exmainer about any and all medical conditions that might influence your ability to operate an CMV is perjury under the FMCSR's.

But. a DOT medical examiner is a doctor that can not discuss or share your medical information with anyone without your consent. (Doctor patient privelidge - HIPPA).

Often drivers voluntarily give their motor carrier the dot "long form" that has all their medical history. A motor carrier only has to have the certificate.

This is complicated stuff... there is lots of CB and truck stop rumor.

If you have a medical condition you are worried about GO SEE A DOCTOR... they can't talk about what you are being treated for. If you are worried how it might affect your DOT medical card see a doctor that also does DOT physicals to get checked out. If you are seeing them as a patient you can talk to them about how your condition might affect your DOT medical card...ALL CONFIDENTIAL.... Get the doctor to write up their findings and treatment so you have your documentation for the DOT physical....

SEE.. don't be scared about getting medical help... be smart

 

That's what stopped me at Swift. Their medical clinic in Phoenix told me I had to get a DOT approved cpap that they could read my info off of to see if I was in compliance. I've used a cpap for over 4 years so compliance isn't an issue, I know I need it. I didn't have my medical card long form from my doctor at home (and from what I'm told most clinics aren't on Swifts "approved" list) They wouldn't certify me and I went home. Since I already had a valid medical card, I got my current job. I gave them my long form for my file and their opinion is if your certified, you can drive.

 

due to being kept awake too long for swaps on my last 3 breaks i was gettin sleepy and pulled it over for 2-3 hours at the scalehouse in MO. When I started driving I woke up going towards the median and tried to get er back on the road but felt a slight feel of a possible rollover so I choose the median instead going back and forth up and down the banks of the center of the highway on this early morning up all knight taken my 120 #s shy of being overweight MARTEN rig when I got control of it i was in the wrong gear and got stuck in the flatest part of my adventure but was safe with no damage to anything or people(none was present).The state trooper said good job and got me a towtruck and said thank god you are a veteran driver and kept from incoming traffic or rolling over.So i got no report.no accident,no ticket,BUT i was in my day 28 of my 30 day trail period and the tow fee MARTIN the bird said was means for dismisal(which i did report as required right away which was good cause some kiss A%# called it in just after i did).!!CANTGETNOJOB SOFAR ANY IDEAS,OH YA DONT DRIVE IF U CANT,EVEN WHEN DISP SAYS YULL BE FIRED

 

I'm also with SNI (four years in September), and was put on CPAP two weeks after I got hired. I have since received a newer machine, and no longer have the 40% time, as the new machine is more energy efficient.

Just an FYI.

(GREAT info, BTW, put forth by TruckerDad and TruckerDave!)




.....uh, is that anything like Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee? (couldn't help it.....)

 

Says the man with the pepsi logo!! Blasphemy! !! Lol

 

Almost 5 years this thread made it.... such a sad day...