OT: CDL physical

My wife just called to tell me the insurance company refuses to pay for CDL physical. They paid for it last year which was also my first time. The doctor also said they can no longer do CDL physicals, so another hoop for me to jump through! I wondered if anyone else is having any problems. They also said the reason for not paying is administrative costs and work related. At work 99% of the time I am a laborer or equipment operator, I got it so I could drive if the need arose. Thanks Greg

DOT changed the rules for doctors. They now have to be certified by the DOT to give physicals.
This was supposed to weed out unqualified physicians...it also weeded out a bunch of qualified doctors who also didn't want to jump through hoops for yet another government agency. Also since external_link care started to kick in, with the limits on payments to physicians,a bunch more opted out. This from my doctor...who also opted out.

The FMCSA in all their infinite wisdom just had to get involved and certify all MD's doing the physicals. They claimed they would need 40k MD's and as of last week, they had only 10k. Sure don't want to wait until the last minute to try to get a physical. Been at this 46 years and intend to drive for a few more years, but every year just tolerating all the additional regulation makes me think more about selling my truck, deactivating my authority, and retiring.

My family doc also is not going to do them anymore. Said too much bs to go through. Luckily my work still pays for it. Once every 2 years for me. Some people with high BP and some other health issues are every year.

There are just dot physical clinics and all it takes there is enough money and just about anything can get passed. I think that is what they were trying to weed out and what is really going to do is just make business more rewarding for those type places.

When I had my physical last year, the Dr. just wrote it up as an office visit for my semi annual checkup. That way the insurance pays for it. Of course I have been with the same Dr. for 35 years.

My wife works in a clinic and she said the Dr. she works for was probably goining to be the one doing the exams.

In the city near me there is a small doctors office that seems like they specialize in it. They also do the mandatory drug tests. The last one I got was at my regular doctor's but this other place charges only around $45.00. If you check around you may find a place like it.

One thing I personally know for certain is if you don't get a physical on time and your runs out it don't take the state of Pa. long to send you a new license with out CDL on it.

When I got my first one it was in Nov or Dec.

The nurse practioneer told me my insurance paid for one physical each year. Didn't make any difference what it was. So every other year when I made the appt told them I also needed my CDL. Meant a couple of extra tests but no biggy, just done with everything else and made sure the doc filled out the paperwork when done.

jt

I hate this laptop.
Anyway, check with your local and state laws.
If you are only going to drive short hauls within state (intra state), or if for farming, or this or that or the other, there are states with specific exemptions you may qualify for, you simply must get and fillout the affidavit with your local DMV office. Then, you can waive the DOT physical and still have your CDL, suchas only travel within 100 mile radius of your home address, if you work for an 'Exempt' organization, etc. Check with your DMV. If you ain't drivin over the road for a livin, and just runnin local, and if your state offers exemptions, you may well qualify. Worth checkin out. If you're shy, get on the Internet and find the regs for your area, but go to yer local DMV and say you were talkin to this D*mb*ss Danny in IL, and he said some states have exemptions. They may just hand you a list, read thru the different scenarios, check what applies, sign and date, get your CDL, no DOT physical.
Hey, I know it works here for qualifying individuals...
Your local rules and regulations may vary,
Hope this helps, if I didn't babble on too long.
Take care

Suppose I should add, here, may vary in your local area, if on certain medications like for blood pressure, you need an annual DOT physical, otherwise every other year (Bi-annual). Same exemptions still apply if available in your area and applicable,
regardless of your meds. Just got to check exemption (as in place checkmark in corresponding rule listed) that applies to you, then sign and date.
Hey, if you're runnin 80mph with no sleep at 80,000 pounds, they want to keep an eye on ya.
If yer just occasionally runnin a load to the dump, or whatever they forgive, they ain't worried and will grant waiver, IF true.
I best shut up.
Check your local rules and regs, check with your DMV, it just depends on your state and what you're doing.
Take care

Funny you mentioned high blood pressure, I never had it until I went for my CDL physical. I asked if their monitor had ever been recalibrated! Failed my first physical had to buy a bp monitor keep record of AM and PM reading and was never high. I was rechecked 2 months later and was fine. I rode with my brother back in 1982, I was just out of high school. This N.Y. farm boy saw a lot in a month!!!Ended up in New Orleans La. YaHOO. Thirty years later I finally get my CDL.I must of been traumatized!! LOL Greg

My neighbor had his CDL restricted to interstate last year, I don't want to do that. I like to keep my options open in case my boss finds a replacement for a round pointed shovel operator! Thanks for the info I'd better schedule an appointment for next year!! This is more writing than I've done since high school, I never even text. I'm also using a laptop Greg

My family dr with OSF would not do mine this year. Said I could go to Bloomingtn OSF to have it done. A dr a mile away from Gibson City was to do it. I have an insulin exemption and I see my diabetes dr 4 times a year and eye dr once and send paperwork from them to DC and get a yearly physical.

The day I was to have my physical, I had a 475 BS from some bad insulin that I think got frozen. Later that same day after blowing snow, I had a 50BS. So I went the next day. A RNP saw me and asked if I had gone to the hospital and would not finish the paper work until I saw my diabetes dr. I told her that I have been diabetic for 36 years on insulin and know how to get things under control the best I can. Finally after all of this, I saw the dr and he checked leg and arm motion, hernias, and more than other physicals. After sending the new large form to SOS of IL the second time. Needed a correction, I finally got it finished. Two days before, I had gotten a letter from IL SOS that I was to send in my CDL because my physical expired 30 days ago. After 2 calls I thought I had everything under control. Then 3 days ago, SOS wants me to send copy of med card to them. I guess I should go get a DUI and just finish it for good. HA!

I guess I should have joined the circus since I seem to have to jump through all the hoops.

I told my boss I think the current administration wants to get rid of older truck drivers to make room for military personnel with soon to be downsized military. Just my 2 cents, Greg

If you have other health problems they can make you get checked out several times a year.

Well, I just can't shut up...oops.
This a bit off topic but kinda ties in.

I would like to hear other experience with this.
Yep, I believe all the replies to your post are
pretty much right, plus there's more hoops
on top of that.
They are tightening up on the Docs,as said.
Also, one place I know of, its not out with the old and in with the new Vets, Its affirmative action.
To get hired on:
An average white male must have years of driving experience, good mechanical background, and be a veteran of our armed forces with honorable discharge, plus written exams
as well as multi-interviews.
Even if you're top of the list,
if they need a quota,
they will go around ya,
That way they have X amount of whatever race
plus X amount of whatever race and they look good.
Doesn't mean competence, and don't matter that some have to work harder than others to get the job done.
Even if some can't drive a truck or tear them up while doing so.
If any minority would like to hire on,
they need have nothing but an interest in driving trucks.
Training provided, pay provided, benefits provided, etc.
I can't fault the man for trying to get ahead,
and learn a trade, but I sure can fault the system.
Yep, anybody that's white,
you know they're a vet and have miles under their belt.
If you're just white and male,
Well.........you're out.
Any other comments?

(quoted from post at 17:55:23 04/05/14) I told my boss I think the current administration wants to get rid of older truck drivers to make room for military personnel with soon to be downsized military. Just my 2 cents, Greg

Click to expand...

I think that is partly correct.
They also want job vacancies for the thousands of illegal Mexicans that are about to get amnesty, and need driving jobs.
Pay is about to fall through the floor.
Accidents will skyrocket...

(quoted from post at 05:39:35 05/22/14)

(quoted from post at 17:55:23 04/05/14) I told my boss I think the current administration wants to get rid of older truck drivers to make room for military personnel with soon to be downsized military. Just my 2 cents, Greg

Click to expand...

I think that is partly correct.
They also want job vacancies for the thousands of illegal Mexicans that are about to get amnesty, and need driving jobs.
Pay is about to fall through the floor.
Accidents will skyrocket...

Click to expand...

I read recently that many Mexicans are moving south of the border again because job opportunities are improving greatly down there. DBernie, maybe you could get a job there.