Key Points
- The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is implementing new requirements for DOT Certified Medical Examiners, effective from May 2014.
- The new standards are expected to impact nearly 4 million truck drivers, many of whom are unaware of these changes.
- Significant health concerns exist among professional truck drivers, including obesity, sleep apnea, and lack of primary care physicians.
- The new regulations could potentially worsen these healthcare issues for truck drivers.
- Urgent Care Travel proposes a solution of establishing urgent care clinics at truck stops and travel centers to provide accessible healthcare for truckers.
Nearly 4 million truck drivers are about to face a startling new reality, and most don't even realize it. Beginning in May 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is implementing new requirements for being a DOT Certified Medical Examiner. In fact, while there are over 440,000 healthcare providers performing DOT physicals today, as of August 2013, there were less than 1,500 providers that meet the new published standards.
Professional Driver Healthcare Issues
The video below, created by Urgent Care Travel, clearly outlines the healthcare concerns faced by the nations millions of professional drivers. A few of the highlights are as follows:
- 80% of professional truck drivers are obese
- 50% of truck drivers suffer from sleep apnea
- 65% of drivers do not have a primary care physician
Each of these healthcare issues could be exacerbated by the DOT's new regulations, but Urgent Care Travel has proposed an interesting solution: urgent care clinics at truck stops and travel centers.
As May 2014 approaches, the DOT is certain to have on-boarded many more Certified Medical Examiner, but he solution proposed here is both innovative and practical and creates great accessibility for truckers. It also allows fleet management companies a better sense of security as these travel clinics qualified, efficient and help keep their drivers on the road.
Frequently asked questions
What new requirements are being implemented by the FMCSA in May 2014?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is implementing new requirements for being a DOT Certified Medical Examiner.How many healthcare providers are currently performing DOT physicals?
As of August 2013, there are over 440,000 healthcare providers performing DOT physicals.What is the number of healthcare providers that meet the new published standards by FMCSA?
As of August 2013, there were less than 1,500 providers that meet the new published standards by FMCSA.What are some of the healthcare concerns faced by professional truck drivers?
Some of the healthcare concerns faced by professional truck drivers include obesity, sleep apnea, and a lack of a primary care physician.What percentage of professional truck drivers are obese?
80% of professional truck drivers are obese.How many truck drivers suffer from sleep apnea?
50% of truck drivers suffer from sleep apnea.What percentage of drivers do not have a primary care physician?
65% of drivers do not have a primary care physician.What solution has Urgent Care Travel proposed for the healthcare issues faced by truck drivers?
Urgent Care Travel has proposed the solution of urgent care clinics at truck stops and travel centers to address the healthcare issues faced by truck drivers.