- Part 1 [You Are HERE] – Can A DOT Medical Examiner Refuse You A Medical Card Unless You Have A Sleep Study Done?
- Part 2 – DOT Physical And Sleep Apnea Testing: Are Medical Examiners Caught Between A Rock And A Hard Place?
- Part 3 – Commercial Driver Awareness About The Sleep Apnea Issue
- Part 4 – OSA: How To Know If You Have It
- Part 5 – Commercial Drivers Can Manage Sleep Apnea And Maintain Their CDL
Commercial drivers are being told by some DOT medical examiners that they must be tested for sleep apnea before they can get a new medical card.
We’re seeing much confusion and frustration in the questions drivers are asking us on our FAQ forum.
“Does you neck have to be a certain size? They tell me I have to have a sleep study”
“The doctor our company sends us to says anyone with a BMI above 35 automatically has to take the expensive tests from his company’s sister sleep test division…”
“Some examiners are requiring drivers to go have sleep studies done based solely upon BMI and neck circumference. How can that be? “
“My husband who is 53yrs old just went for a physical to renew his medical card. They told him because he was over 50 and his neck was 17.5 he had to do the sleep study. I’ve been told by others that the age criteria is 55 and if neck is over 17in. Which is correct? “
“I recently went in to renew my CDL and everything checked out normal. However since I was over the age of 42 and I am a male, the doctor gave me a 45-day temp card and told me before he could give me my 1 year medical card I had to get a sleep apnea test done. My neck size and my BMI checked out normal. Can he do this to me? “
So why are so many people – doctors, as well as drivers – confused on this sleep apnea issue?
We’ve attempted to follow the breadcrumbs over time, to see how this predicament developed.
- 2008: The Medical Review Board recommended that the FMCSA require all drivers to be screened for obstructive sleep apnea.
- 2008: A health panel recommended to the Medical Review Board that CDL medical certification be conditional based on body mass index (BMI).
- The National Transportation Safety Board was one of the parties alleging a clear connection between driver sleep apnea and safety.
- May 2010: In response to such concerns, the American Sleep Apnea Association, the American Trucking Associations and the FMCSA co-sponsored a national Sleep Apnea & Trucking Conference about sleep apnea’s effect on truckers.
- April 20, 2012: FMCSA published a Proposed Regulatory Guidance for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and request for comment.
- April 27, 2012: FMCSA published a withdrawal notice on its Proposed Recommendations on Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
- September 12, 2013: A proposed sleep apnea bill was introduced, and passed the House and the Senate, requiring that FMCSA establish a formal rule rather than guidance relating to sleep disorders.
- October 15, 2013: The sleep apnea bill was signed into law by the President. The law forbids the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from using guidance alone to address sleep apnea screening for drivers. It requires that if the agency take action regarding sleep apnea screening, that it do so via the formal rule-making process, and not guidance. Note: The law does not require that the FMCSA create a sleep apnea rule.
The ‘sleep apnea bill’ signed into law on October 15, 2013 forbids FMCSA from using guidance alone to address sleep apnea screening for drivers.
Put In A Nutshell
FMCSA has been called on their lack of proper rule making procedures regarding sleep apnea screening i.e. how to determine who should be tested.
The last response we can find from FMCSA on this issue is that “FMCSA will issue a notice to address obstructive sleep apnea through the formal rulemaking process after collecting and analyzing the necessary data and research.” As we publish this article, there is still no information available from FMCSA regarding sleep apnea screening.
There is currently no ruling by the FMCSA for sleep apnea screening on DOT physicals.
DOT Medical Examiners
DOT medical examiners are finding themselves caught between a rock and a hard place on this issue, as they are held responsible for ensuring that a driver is medically fit to drive a commercial motor vehicle.
Employers
Your employer may have more strict requirements and is allowed to impose their own screening criteria. A company must a least meet the FMCSA medical requirements. However, company policy may impose stricter standards than those required by FMCSA.
Thanks to Trucker Docs expert panel doctor, Dr. Kenn Seals, for contributing to this article.You can find Dr. Seals at Chiro Stop in Salt Lake City, UT.
So I went in for a DOT exam, company sent me to Concentra. Age 48, BMI 34 Neck 17.5
Examiner tells me I need to go get a sleep study be I can be cleared. Like really, just by those 3 things I need to go do all that? I told the examiner that I don’t even snore or ever been told I snore or have any of the signs associated with Apnea. So she didn’t give me my DOT card. My question is, am I allowed to go to another DOT examiner and get a new physical done with them? One that I choose rather than who the company I want to work for sends me to? I think its wrong to make someone take such tests on merely a hunch they have apnea.
@ John Z
Yup, this medical exam facility is in bed with a sleep study group and has a major conflict of interest. Go somewhere else for a second opinion.
I took the home sleep study test and the results were 20.2. Just over the max 20. I believe just wanted to sell me the machine. The o2 sensor cut the blood supply off and I had to call the company and get permission to change fingers. The instructions said under no circumstances to move once the test began. I will use the machine to be compliant, but can I go to a real sleep study clinic and if I test below 20 can the cpap requirement be removed?
@ Clifford J
Most likely.
I had to get sleep test results were mild sleep apnea. Dot examiner said I need to start using cpap, gave me 90day cert. Wasn’t really doing me any good in fact I got less rest less sleep using it so I quit using it because I didn’t feel safe driving. Went back in 90 day not compliant didn’t renew my med card gave me 5 days to get compliant so I did then gave me 6 weeks and just could not feel safe driving after using cpap tried explaining that to examiner showed him where concentra and fmcsa doesn’t require cpap for mild apnea only moderate to severe. Did not matter to him he wasn’t going to renew my card we had an exchange of words some of which I wish I never said but basically amounted to him not being a doctor and how can you determine what is best for me and I walked out. Now of course I’m out of work. What do I need to do to get my med card back? I sent away for a second opinion from an online company called workstart have you heard of them and if comes back mild do I still have to use cpap?
@ James E
Get a second opinion from something other than a ‘Doc in a Box’ who is not getting a kickback from a sleep study facility.
I have, well, had, a valid DOT medical card through May of 2024 as I just did a new DOT Physical today (March 2, 2023). As a conditional job offer, the company requires (and paid) to have a new DOT physical done. They sent me to Concentra. The nurse told me, even before the doctor came in, that he was likely going to require me to get a sleep study, and he was right. I was given a new medical card that is only good for 3 months, as I need to comply with getting this sleep study done, and if results are good, the doctor will extend the card to 2 years.
When looking up questions on google, a lot of the answered were credited to Concentra. I am skeptical after reading some of these posts, that Concentra even cares, that they likely get a kick back from the company they refer (pamphlet I was given by Concentra, is for a company called betternight).
I am thinking of getting a second opinion from the doctor I used when I got my first DOT exam (as I only got my CDL in June 2022). COULD this other doctor, if they don’t think a sleep study is needed, just issue me a 2 year card without a sleep study?
@ Jason R
Yes. The company you were sent to has a record of the type of behavior you just experienced. Go get a second opinion.
I am a 59 yr old female from Texas, had my Class A since ’07. Other than high blood pressure which I have been taking a BP med for, and have since had the dosage lowered because it was causing my BP to drop too low, I have no other issues. I have answered all the sleep apnea questions in the negative, yet because my BMI is over the accepted number, I was told last year, I would have to have a sleep study done this year or my Med Card would not be renewed. I was told that while the FMCSA has never made a definitive ruling on requiring drivers to get a sleep study, they have left the decision on whether to enforce it or not, to the discretion of each Medical Examiner. The one I have seen the last few years is forcing the issue this time. Is there nothing that can be done other than going from one ME to the next and being told the same crap??? This is an absolute farce & just another way to get money!
@ Michelle
We agree, but your main option is to find a driver friendly CME that is not getting some type of kickback from the sleep study people (conflict of interest).
My husband renewed his dot physical last year 2022 and it expires 2024 but did not turn it end to the company so they told him he had to take another this year they sent him to concentra and because his neck size was a17 the dr tells him he needs a sleep study done and only have him three months what should he do
@ Erika
When you have to go to a doc in a box that is in bed with a sleep study facility (conflict of interest) it’s what you get. Go get a second opinion from somewhere else.
So do I turn this medical card in to my state
@ Erica
If you got a new medical, then take it to the state. If no new medical, either go get a new one or turn the one from doc in a box in.
i am class a cdl holder in pa, For last few yrs have been getting dot physical, company. have always had a printed report of cpap usage to take with to dr. This year when requesting re report, i am rolt my cpap machine is too old, and nothing has been recorded off it , so now i have no report to take to DOT dr. what can i do and will this affect my getting hew card?, thank you
@ Michael R
Since you are on a cpap, the medical examiner must see your compliance report. He may, if he chooses, give you a short medical card so you can get a reading report done.
I’m a long time CDL holder and 3 year ago decided to get a sleep test because wife says I snore. I was diagnosed with MILD sleep apnea with a score of 11.4. a neck size of 12. No other health problems whatsoever. It was suggested I make some lifestyle changes including lose weight ect.
I lost 35 lb. Feel great. Recently they still would not let me renew my med card without a new test. Which I did…and it was inconclusive. So now they have me a 6 month card and want me to retest…..I am feeling HARASSED now as even the first diagnosis wast not severe enough for me to be disqualified from full DOT compliance!
Mild sleep apnea with a score below 15 are still DOT compliant with no other requirements or treatments.
@ Richard P
You need to get a second opinion from somewhere else. There is no reason for a retest.
i lost a job hauling mail because of this bs. Its another way to suck money out of our pockets. Its ridiculous
On October 8th, 2022
My youngest daughter had an atv accident that required that she be life flighted. Both me & my wife were stressed out but able to pull it all together. I hadnt eaten allday & niether had my wife. The next mornin, I had waffles at the hotel for breakfast, I was starvin because of all the stuff that occurred & resulted in me not eating allday. I also attended orientation with a new carrier. They sent me to Concentra. Concentra pushed that dumbass sleep apnea BS on me after taking a urine sample & supposedly gettin a reading of 213dl glucose in my urine. Their quack of a doctor didn’t even do a damn physical. The idiot never checked my breathing, heart beat, BP, peripheral vision, looked in ears, mouth or eyes. He jus asked questions. Then took a measurement of my neck. 18″. He then weighed me & came up with a BMI of 35%.
I called BS & here’s why. I graduated in 1995, I weighed 180lbs because of conditioning for both football & wrestling & I joined the Navy. The Navy don’t use BMI because it’s very inaccurate, instead, they have their own standards for measurement. Using those standards with my current overall measurements I’m still eligible to join the Navy, providing I had a waiver for age. Ive gained 26lbs after leaving high school over 20 years ago. I weighed 195lbs when I came out of the Navy. Added 11lbs since leaving the Navy in 2000. 11 lbs in 22 years. I have 12% body fat according to Naval Standards. 35%BMI.
Yall see the difference yet. How is it that I can still be eligible to join the Navy, but not healthy enough to pass a physical. I took a bloodtest to see if I had diabetes. Got the results, submitted them to Concentra. They refused the independent results because the test wasn’t performed by their quack. I went & took a physical at my primary. Passed. Got a 2yr card. The company I was working for, refused to honor the new physical, even after 1 of their safety team member rode with me to Concentra & witnessed them refusing the test that proved I was healthy
@ Joshua C
Good reason not to use the ‘Doc in a box’ chain facilities. They are in it to make money, not work with the drivers.
sucks man I lost a job running the mail, it was concentra as well… went to my dr and 10 roads wouldnt accept it
I’m in the same boat I had mild apnea 8.5 ahi. Concentra Saud to use cpap couldn’t tolerate it went back non compliant did not renew I’m getting 2nd opinion. What your saying is 10 roads won’t except 2nd opinion? Or do I have to go back to concentra?
Same here. Work for a moving company and they said I can’t go get second opinion. Mild sleep apnea. Concentra refuses to give me one bc I can’t do cpap. I tried. Even pointed out info on their own website about mild sleep apnea.
@ Nichole
The examiners you are being forced to use have a ‘conflict of interest’ because they are in bed with a sleep study facility.
Hi so my husband got his dot done and then got his cdl everything was all good his medical card was good for 2 years. He started with a company and they did their own dot and their dr said he needed a sleep study , he did the sleep study and was 5points over so they gave him a machine and told him that he needed to show compliance with it for 30 days but he has nothing but trouble with it. He has had a hard time finding masks to fit him , the machine doesn’t want to keep signal to show his data. He unsure if he does’nt show the compliance what will happen considering he already had a dot will this hender his job or will this also hender his dot and cdl. Any advise on this please. I should also state that he was told that since he was only 5 points over if he could at least lose 20 lbs he could get restested which he has done he is just waiting for them to retest him
@ April P
You are in a waiting game now for the retesting to be done and new results. Hopefully it will flip the need for the c-pap and you will not any further issues.
I was diagnosed with sleep aponia, and a CPAP machine are not even being made because of the cancer related problems with them, I lost 40lbs and changed my habits, I sleep much better and for some reason the sleep center will not let me retest after these changes, what can I do? Should I get a lawyer, call the insurance company?
@ Albert S
You may need to take legal action for your rights.
My husband was given a 3 month med card. While waiting to get in with the doc time ran up fast. They said he can get the test done next week and it could take up to 3 months for him to get a cpap machine. Is there a waiver or extension he could get while waiting on the machine?
@ Shanna
There is no extension for this. He could go for a second opinion. If he has OSA, then he will need 90 day re-out before getting a new DOT/FMCSA medical certification examination.
Hi I’m a truck driver out of California i just did my second sleep apnea test last night. Im required to show proof that i been using the cpap machine for 30 days but i still haven’t gotten my machine yet since I just did the 2nd test like i mentioned so my question is what happens if I don’t have a cpap machine and my medical expires in less than a month from now?
@ Migurl
Explain your situation when you go for your new medical card. The CME may offer a short card until you can fulfill the requirements.
I am a 49yr old female, with a BMI of 39 was told won’t give me a medical card unless I do a sleep study along with paperwork from cardiologist. I was told not even a 3mth card till I get in for sleep study. What do I do? How can the Dr say your not fit? They are going by a chart that has someone extra fit before kids, aging !! They need to revise that crap!!!!!
@ Paula
DOT/FMCSA does NOT have a mandatory sleep study requirement unless you have a multitude of signs and symptoms. There is no such chart that the CME goes by. If the CME has an interest in a sleep study facility, then there is a conflict of interest. Go get a second opinion some where else.
Based on your article and what I read on Fmsca I believe that doctors cannot legally refuse medical cards based on assumptions of sleep apnea by neck size alone.All research I have done shows it is not medical fact but assumption. Other symptoms must be present. Even to qualify for a test per sleep study programs.Doctors need to be stopped from this practice.I’m following a complaint with NJ medical board
I agree. I have no symptoms other than a larger neck size and they said I need to do a sleep study. For what? I don’t snore or stop breathing. On the other hand, this small necked teammate I had has sleep apnea, but got away with it because his neck is small. He can wake up a whole neighborhood with his snoring and freaks me out when he stops breathing for like 2 minutes.
@ Cyn
Any CME that is basing a sleep study on neck size or BMI has not read or understand that OSA has a multitude of signs and symptoms. DOT/FMCSA has no set rules for a sleep study based solely on these two conditions. Or the examiner/facilities are in bed with a sleep study facility. Conflict of interest?
I went for a pre-employment dot physical, doctor refused to give me the medical card issued for 2 years due to employer requested that the medical card be sent to them. Doctor also refused to provide me a copy. So my question is. it is legal for them to that since we can’t operate without the medical card? And if is not legal what can I do?
@ Lisa R
It’s a strange thing, but it seems that if the company pays for the test then they feels they have the right to keep the information. Best bet would be to talk to a legal expert.
Let’s start a class action lawsuit. Write down your story in a notebook from the beginning with dates, doctors name, the company you worked for and how long you been unemployed. Also call those doctors and ask for all your medical records and the sleep study doctors and cpap supplies company.
Ask who have they shared your information with? Your company, the DOT database the cPap supplier. Also ask for all the up loaded information that has been sent to the dot doctor and cpap supply company. Ask and get the name of who is reading that information and you want a copy of all results from the beginning. We all know what is happening is wrong and we need to do something about it. I worked for Averitt Express and their DOT doctor is having fraudulent home sleep studies done in a hotel room in orientation and putting that on drivers medical cards and it’s not a supervised sleep study in a sleep lab. I am going to sue all three. But if you want to start a class action lawsuit I will make it happen and working on it right now. Richard Burnette 423 355 4025 call if your interested.
I’m interested. I’m 59yrs young, been driving for my employer 24 yrs. Asthmatic, diabetic, hbp, bmi slightly over limit for my height 5 ft. Since my initial DOT for this year, my company has changed DOT places due to they say contract ran out n they only had 2 companies to reply n they went with the cheapest of course. 1st place gave me a 3 month card n I went got a statement from my doctor whom had said he had monitored me n don’t see no need for a sleep study n he will not order one. If they want me to take one then they should order it n pay for it. I haven’t had no accidents, no falling asleep. 2nd company will not accept my doctors statement. Being diabetic I questioned there procedures in how they were doing things (one size cuff for blood pressure, no pricking of finger for correct reading of blood sugar, etc) we end up having words n they fudged my numbers were I wouldn’t pass physical all because I’m challenging sleep study. They will not accept another companies certification. I’m out of work now.
I’m interested Joel Goldman 43, Joelgoldman5454@gmail.com
Celadon
I did not get the job with celadon after I was Forced into a sf sleep study, which according to them I just went over the company policy limit, of 21 limit was 20.
They had a machine for me which I had to pay for, but b4 I could drive I had to do 1 night with the CPap to prove compliance. 1st night failed I couldnt sleep and ended up with a asthma attack and allergy attack, night 2 (RETRY) failed even though I had the mask on for bout 5.5 hours it only registered 3.75 hours of recording. I told the company I sf keeping way worse now then b4 this testing. Celadon said you must repeat again to be hired. I said I had enough I wasnt going to retake the test for a 3rd time. There for I was let go
Is this law suit still going on
@ Terri
Since there was never a FMCSA regulation regarding the issue of a mandatory sleep study, then anyone suing, must be suing the doctor or facility.
I am a class B driver just told to go get a sleep study. Do you know of any lawsuits against individual DOT docs? Were any successful for the patient or is it “fighting City Hall”?
@ Mark McG
You are a class B driver and fall under the states variances, not FMCSA. You should not be tested as a class A driver. Get a second opinion from a CME that understands the difference. There is no mandatory sleep study testing, unless there are a multitude of additional symptoms.
Tucker Docs, This is not true. I work at a bus company right now and am at war with my insurance company over getting an approval. They say I don’t meet the symptoms. Well, It was ordered and I cant get the test all because of the Insurance company wont approve the 350 dollar test. Our bus company is regulated under the FMCSA. I assume it is because we go out of state.
@ Kdawg
First, what is your cdl class. This determines the level of testing and requirements of the examiner. Second, unless you have a multitude of signs and symptoms for OSA, there is no mandatory test requirement from DOT/FMCSA. Go get a second opinion.
I went to get a pre-employment medical card recertification, I was told I was a male, over 50, bmi was over 35, and neck size is 17 1/2 inches that they would not and no-one will give me a card until I have done a sleep study. Does this have to be done? Can they refuse to give me a card?
@ Bryant J
Go somewhere else, other than a doc in a box facility, and get a second opinion. You are being taken for a money ride that FMCSA does not require, unless there are other OSA indicators.
Can we get a 2nd opinion? I was told the results are put into a national data base. Will the DMV see that we had 2 test completed and then take our CDL away? The whole thing is BS. DOT needs to step in and fix this.
@ Vince
If you feel the need for a second opinion, then you have the right for one and the DOT can question the examiners not you.
I am a new CDL driver with just a permit. I do not have a Class A license yet. My DOT Medical Card expires before I can take a sleep study test. I have already visited the “Sleep Dr.” I have documentation of the appointment and scheduled test. Concentra is telling me they can not extend my 3 month card.
What can I do?
Do I let it expire and go see another DOT qualified physician?
@ Eric
Unless you suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness or show any other signs of OSA, we would recommend you go get a second opinion from another CME.
Dont use concentra, stay away from them
I went to renew my medical card in mid January. He gave me a 6 month card and said I needed a sleep test before performing any of the physical. I have no symptoms other than my weight and my neck is 17 inches. He told me I was going to be entered into a data base with Fmcsa. He said if I don’t take care of it in the 6 months that fmcsa would pull my license. He also gave me paper work for my dr and said I have to come back to him and can’t get a second opinion because it’s already sent off to the fmcsa. And if I do get a second opinion and they give me a card for 1 to 2 years that it won’t be good. Can someone give me a straight answer?
@ Jason
Someone is really taking advantage of this situation. Fire this guy. Go get a second opinion from any registered DOT medical examiner. Who ever enters the last information to FMCSA is the new / active medical card.
This is exactly verbatim word for word what is currently happening to me. I went to get a DOT physical from a specific DOT physical doctor that my company required. Because I am overweight weight and my neck size is 17.5 in he said I have to go get a sleep study done I have never had sleep apnea and I sleep just fine through the night no symptoms whatsoever. The DOT physical examiner issued me a six-month card and told me the exact same thing the other guy said I would be entered into a National Database I can’t go get a second opinion anywhere and if I tried to get another opinion it wouldn’t be valid and it would red flag be in the system. I do not have the money to go get all of these tests and I do not feel they are necessary on top of that I have severe claustrophobia I cannot wear anything on my face I can’t even go get a test done because I will completely wig out. I only have one month left on that 6 month medical card I really need to find out what I can do if I can go get a second opinion or not. I’m afraid this will cause me to lose my CDL my career and my means of income
@ Pat
Go get a second opinion, you are being mis-lead.
So I went for my recert today, 10/27/17 and everything was good except that I’m 51 over weight and my neck size it 19in. I was given a 4 month medical card, and was told I need to get a sleep apnea test within those 4 months. Also my employer tells me I am only allowed to go to the doctor/clinic they tell me to go to. So? what are my rights concerning this? MUST I get a sleep apnea test done, and MUST I only utilize the doctor/clinic that my employer sends me to? And if I refuse can they fire me?
I don’t see a response to this question. I am basically in the same boat and was wondering what the answer would be.
Thank You
I”M exactly in the same situation .
I’m in that same situation..sence they try to force this on me my blood pressure is up.(never before)I’ve not laid down in bed in days.i nap at my desk in the truck.its almost 2am. Now, still up at my desk..had 3 nose bleeds today.im barely making it.and the company says they will take the sleep study and machine cost out of my check every week..I didn’t have any sleep trouble till this .I never had high blood pressure till this..I passed two physicals, one in deer Park Texas, then again in Pittsburgh PA.now I have a blood pressure issue..the med make me cough and that makes my nose bleeds..Concentra created my health issue.so now after having my license to drive trucks with hazmat for 39 years, Concentra uses them to black mail me.?!!
I am 29.5 year teamster .I drive for a waste co.. I have over 30 years driving experience with no major accidents in either my work or private vehicles. I have also never been injured on the job. Last Jan I made an appointment to have sleep study done after listening to my wife complain on how load my snoring was and how she had heard /read that it could be a sign of sleep apnea. I took the ” in home test ” . I was contacted by the sleep study company and told I had sleep apnea. I then met with a representative from Cape Medical who supplied e with c/pac machine. I was informed that I had to be in 70% compliance over a 90 day period for my insurance to pay for the machine. I f i did not meet the required aamopu8nt of usage I would have to pay for the machine myself. After a month or so I could not get used to this machine and sent it back. My deposit was returned and that was the end of it. So I thought. Last Tuesday 10-10-17 my company sent me to the clinic to get my physical to renew my D.O.T health card. I had told them 2 weeks prior that it was to expire on the 11th . But I end up the 24 hours before it expires ? Now during my physical the dr. asks if I ever had sleep test done and I say yes. I tell them the story and they inform me I am in error by not staying on the machine and now they will not sign off on my card ? I m totally in the dark on this ? I was never told by anybody that I had to stay on the c/pac and show I use it a minimum of 4 hours per night. At this point im pissed off and uncertain on what to do. I contact my Dr. and they say they can’t do anything . I call Cape medical who supplied me with my c/pc and they say i need to see my dr. and do the sleep study all over aging ? I then offer to just buy the machine out of pocket so i can begin using c/pac and get my health card and they say ok. My cost would be $1200 + . I tell the Dr. of my plan nd he grants me 3 month health card.Today I see my Primary DR. and I ask him instead of getting a c/pac machine can I simply get off this whole system. I said I don’t snore and have incorporated more exercise into my lifestyle. He is a good guy and writes up a report stating I feel I am in no need of machine and in good health. I take the letter to the other Dr. and he is not happy to say the least. Threatens to void my card there on the spot. he says he made a deal with me that I would pay and get a machine .I tell him for the last 5 days myself and my wife have been on the phone with the supplier of the c/pac and my insurance and have gotten the run around. My ins. says they wil pay for it and Cape Medical says several different things. 1- I need to see my primary Dr. and have a sleep study done all over again. My ins. says not the case. If sleep test was done within a year I don’t have to ? Bay Medical then says well the prescription my Primary sent over is not good enough ?? My ins. says thats bs. The lack of info and the contradicting info from Bay medical was beyond belief. My head and my wifes was spinning .I told the d.o.t Dr I was never told anything about this sleep study having any impact on my Commercial license . Not by My Doctor . Not by Bay Medical or by my employer at any given time. I was 100 % in the dark on this issue . As I write this I am not even sure I will have a job .Im distressed and aggravated. The DOT DR. was going to call my Primary Dr. but that office was closed for lunch from 12-2. So as I stated I have no idea what will happen to my livelihood. I f I do infract lose my health card what is if any recourse do I have .
My co. sends me to get dot physical day before expiation. Back 6 month ago I took a in home sleep test cause on some days I felt a little tires and wife said I snore more often. OK. No biggy. I do test they say I have a sleep disorder. I get machine and jut cant adapt to it. I notice no difference anyways on nights I kept it on. I say it not working send it back n end of story. WRONG ! I am not tired at work and have since altered my lifestyle so I naturally cured my occasional tiredness. Now yesterday at dr. office im told they have no records of my sleep compliance and they will not sign off on my card ?? I am dumbfounded ?I said at no time was I was never told such a thing by the company that issued the machine or my Dr.that I had to keep using this machine to get my card. So as of today my card expires. The lack of info on this issue is deafening ! If I had known prior I would NOT do the test. I don’t know if I can salvage my card today or not when I talk to my primary care Dr. by either getting a waver or going for anew tet . Talk about a fuckn mess ! This is why we need less Government in our lives!