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Sleep Apnea Testing

Discussion in 'Prime' started by UsualSuspect, Jul 25, 2017.

  1. Jul 25, 2017 #1
    UsualSuspect

    UsualSuspect Road Train Member

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    Anyone know if Prime is going to remove the Sleep Apnea Testing now that FMCSA has dropped the recommendation for it? I just went for one, and was told I no longer meet the criteria, and they gave me a letter stating I no longer met the guidelines and it was not needed. The reason I have the letter is I may go to Prime, but if they are still using the old guidelines, the letter won't matter and they will most likely require me to pay Cardinal Health for one I don't need.
    I called Cardinal and they would only state they follow the FMCSA recommendations, that no longer exist. According to the Recruiters, they are following Cardinal Health's recommendation, which is the FMCSA recommendation.
    For those wondering, the new guidelines do not use weight, and age, they take a measurement of the back of your throat, and if your opening is too small, they will recommend a test. The new guidelines also give surgical options, removal of tonsils, removal of part of the thingy that hangs down in the back of your throat, and removal of bone or other tissue. They are now saying that is a better long term option than a CPAP.
    Note: I am not here to debate if Sleep Apnea is real or not, I am wondering what Prime is doing in light of it.
     
    UsualSuspect, Jul 25, 2017
    UsualSuspect, Jul 25, 2017
    #1
    driverdriver Thanks this.
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  3. Jul 25, 2017 #2
    Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    Just call prime and ask them. I think the problem is the National registration of doctors. They can just over ride the FMCSA rules saying they think someone has sleep apnea. Because it the doctors license that's on the line if they approve someone and they found out later they have sleep apnea or meet the general guidelines of having sleep apnea and did nothing to check for it.
     
    Brandt, Jul 25, 2017
    Brandt, Jul 25, 2017
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    UsualSuspect Thanks this.
  4. Jul 25, 2017 #3
    albert l

    albert l Road Train Member

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    Did you ring Prime and ask ?
     
    albert l, Jul 25, 2017
    albert l, Jul 25, 2017
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    UsualSuspect Thanks this.
  5. Jul 25, 2017 #4
    UsualSuspect

    UsualSuspect Road Train Member

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    I did ask Prime, and Cardinal Health. Prime said they test based on Cardinal Health's recommendation, which according to Prime is based the FMCSA recommendations. FMCSA removed the recommendations because they were based on flawed data.
    Cardinal Health said they are using the FMCSA recommendations, which Prime requires. Cardinal said if I met the BMI, nexk size, and age, they would test me as it is Prime's Policy. When I ask Prime, they tell me it is Cardinal telling them these are the guidelines. Neither will say if they will take the letter or not, Cardinal said it would be up to Prime, Prime says it is up to Cardinal.
     
    UsualSuspect, Jul 25, 2017
    UsualSuspect, Jul 25, 2017
    #4
  7. Jul 25, 2017 #5
    Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    I would think in Cardinal them because their doctor are the one on the hook for passing someone or not. Sleep apnea was never a law I guess just the recommendation by the doctors on the board for the FMCSA. I would still think if someone has a big neck over 17 inches and over 40 and high BMI they would get flagged. I think it will fall under general Heath not specifically to trucking. Someone with all those signs would be possible sleep apnea problem. Then add the trucking side and sue happy lawyers.

    If someone has sleep apnea it's not a big deal and a simple test. I have it and only found out because of the D.O.T physical. Prime will set driver up if they need the test and stuff but they make drivers pay the money back.
     
    Brandt, Jul 25, 2017
    Brandt, Jul 25, 2017
    #5
  8. Jul 26, 2017 #6
    UsualSuspect

    UsualSuspect Road Train Member

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    If I have a latter signed by a Sleep Doctor, Cardinal is not on the hook, the Dr that signed it is. Cardinal is using outdated criteria, which in itself is missing 40% of those who have apnea, but are not tested or treated. So the argument Cardinal is responsible does not wash.
     
    UsualSuspect, Jul 26, 2017
    UsualSuspect, Jul 26, 2017
    #6
  9. Aug 2, 2017 #7
    Ubu

    Ubu Road Train Member

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    The FMCSA did not drop there recommendation or guidelines for Sleep Apnea testing, they just dropped pursuing their proposed rule for requiring one.

    The FMCSA guidelines still remain in place and are left up to the examiner when getting your DOT physical.
     
    Ubu, Aug 2, 2017
    Ubu, Aug 2, 2017
    #7
  10. Aug 4, 2017 #8
    frago

    frago Light Load Member

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    Prime makes cash off this study, no way will they drop it.
     
    frago, Aug 4, 2017
    frago, Aug 4, 2017
    #8
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