Bad News for Doctor Shoppers

ATeam · May 13, 2013

[h=3]FMCSA proposes rule to immediately transmit medical exam results to state licensing agencies
[/h]Excerpt:

"FMCSA says the new portion of the rule proposed this week also includes a requirement that FMCSA transmit medical information electronically for all CDL holders to state drivers license agencies upon receipt from the medical examiner. This would ensure that state and federal enforcement officers have the most current information available regarding the medical status of a CDL holder, FMCSA says. It also means, however, that a medical report that voids a CDL due to failure to meet medical requirements also would be transmitted immediately."

ATeam · May 13, 2013

I'm thinking about drivers with borderline blood pressure. You can be fine in the morning but over the limit in the afternoon, or fine all day long until you suffer from White Coat Syndrome, where your anxiety and blood pressure rise when you are undergoing the physical exam. One number too high and you're off the road until you get another exam and it takes however long for those results to be recognized.

zorry · May 13, 2013

Couldn't you get a new exam faxed over the next day ?
IN has been pulling CDL for 8 or 10 years over failed exams.

Nothing here that I see that excites me.

There are things in the pipeline that are of concern, like the Doctor registry.
For now, I don't see a lot to worry about.

zorry · May 13, 2013

I failed the BP test once. The pretty new intern bent over too far and my pressure rose.

The older nurse came in and I was fine.

The intern was coached, bent over too far, I looked and failed again.

The older nurse wasn't happy. Two tries from her and I got my card.

I felt so bad that I had to fess-up on the way out. I told her to tell her boyfriend that she was " Clinically proven to raise a truck driver's BP ".

She's probably still blushing.
Or still in therapy.

davekc · May 13, 2013

They likely will dovetail this in to Obamacare. If you get a prescription from any doctor it goes in a database. Something that would get flagged with regards to a CDL would come up right away.
They want to use this as well for pilot licenses and a few others.
Welcome to big government.

Deville · May 13, 2013

More over sight regulation crap. It's not about safety. It never was it's about control.

beachbum · May 13, 2013

I'm so glade that I'm just a couple of years away from getting out of this industry, maybe sooner.

Jenny · May 13, 2013

When I got my class B in January the dmv would not issue my license unless they scaned my medical card in. They also scanned in Nicks when he added an endorsement.

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ATeam · May 13, 2013

davekc said:
They likely will dovetail this in to Obamacare. If you get a prescription from any doctor it goes in a database. Something that would get flagged with regards to a CDL would come up right away.
They want to use this as well for pilot licenses and a few others.
Welcome to big government.

That ain't the half of it. As a self-employed independent contractor, it has been a long, long time since I have applied for a job as an employee or hired an employee. Now gearing up to do some hiring, I am shocked and dismayed by how the government has turned employers into mini government agents, assisting in the effort to conduct surveillance on everyone. From a Florida government publication:

"Do I need to report an employee who worked for a couple of hours or days and then quit?

"If the employee filled out a W-4 form and only worked for a few hours, that employee must be reported. Although that employee is no longer with your company, there is useful information that can be obtained, such as home address and work history."

zorry · May 13, 2013

Zoning laws. Building inspectors. Fire inspectors. Workers Comp. Local tax, county tax, sales tax, Federal taxes.
Wonder how long it will be Phil before you look at Diane and say "Trucking wasn't as over regulated as we thought."

ATeam · May 13, 2013

zorry said:
Zoning laws. Building inspectors. Fire inspectors. Workers Comp. Local tax, county tax, sales tax, Federal taxes.
Wonder how long it will be Phil before you look at Diane and say "Trucking wasn't as over regulated as we thought."

We are at the peak of regulatory events right now as we set up the new business. The answer to your question is, never. All businesses are regulated but few are regulated more than trucking.

Owners of hospitals and nuclear power plants may disagree, but for the ordinary Joe wanting to start a small business, trucking is one of the most regulated.

Mailer · May 13, 2013

zorry said:
Zoning laws. Building inspectors. Fire
inspectors. Workers Comp. Local tax, county tax, sales tax, Federal taxes.
Wonder how long it will be Phil before you look at Diane and say "Trucking wasn't as over regulated as we thought."

Regulations! Yup, it's everywhere and in everything. Even at home, my wife regulates me, lol.

blizzard2014 · May 13, 2013

Mailer said:
Regulations! Yup, it's everywhere and in everything. Even at home, my wife regulates me, lol.

Fiber also keeps me regulated.

Mailer · May 14, 2013

So...afterall, regulations can be the good thing.

pearlpro · May 16, 2013

Im an overweight guy but my BP and all is perfect, I love when they say, you need to lose weight and I say you need a new hairstyle....some folks are genetically made to grow large....I dont eat all the baloney Ice Cream stuffed deep fried twinkies, I actually dont care for fast food, I dont drink, smoke, Drugs, etc....I live a clean life....then theres trucking......nuff said.

Tennesseahawk · May 16, 2013

pearlpro said:
Im an overweight guy but my BP and all is perfect, I love when they say, you need to lose weight and I say you need a new hairstyle....some folks are genetically made to grow large....I dont eat all the baloney Ice Cream stuffed deep fried twinkies, I actually dont care for fast food, I dont drink, smoke, Drugs, etc....I live a clean life....then theres trucking......nuff said.

BobWolf · May 16, 2013

Several states, The Peoples Republic of New York has been one of them for a long time Even for a class D to drive a car. A Physician, P.A., Nurse Practicioner, including a specialist like a Cardioligist or Neurologist must report any medical condition to the DMV IFA CONDITION HAS A POSIABILITY of causing or resulting in an unsafe driving condition. Notice I said POSIABILITY not LIKELYHOOD. Fines, Jail and revocation of thier medical licence will result for their (using common sense) I mean noncompliance. And this will remove a driver from the road for years if not permanently.

By the way, reportable conditions include, and they will be scrutenized any childhood conditions that you out grew, had corrected, and or have had a full recovery from.

Bob Wolf.

jjoerger · May 16, 2013

If a driver fails a physical can he get Social Security disability? He would no longer be fit to work in his chosen profession.
I see early retirement for many drivers in the near future.

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xiggi · May 16, 2013

Im probably wrong but i sure hope simply not being able to work in your chosen profession alone doesn't qualify one for benefits.

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Turtle · May 16, 2013

Far as I know, every state has certain medical conditions, mental or emotional, or physical limitations that prevent you from having a driver's license. Would you want someone prone to epileptic seizures, or with syncope, Alzheimer's, out there on the road driving around? I wouldn't.