DOT Exams During the Pandemic: Drivers & Medical Examiners Need to Stay Safe!

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THE DRIVER MOBILE APP HAS ALWAYS BEEN FREE FOR ALL TRUCK DRIVERS!

For more information go to www.passmyphysical.com .

Despite the FMCSA waiver program that stipulates that drivers who’s certification card expires between March 1, 2020 and June 30,2020, there will still be a need for DOT medical exams during that period.  There will also be a significant need for recertification exams many of which are still required.  The exams still being performed include:

1. Exams for drivers and motor carriers still interested in having their recertification examination.
2. The waiver does not apply to a CDL (those having a commercial driver’s license) and CLP (a provisional license) holder if the driver’s privileges have been suspended or withdrawn for traffic offenses.
3. Drivers who cannot produce evidence of a prior medical certification that expired on or after March 1, 2020, are not covered under this waiver, including new drivers who have never obtained a medical certificate.
4. Drivers who have been diagnosed with a medical condition that would disqualify them from operating in interstate commerce, or drivers who have developed a condition that requires an “exemption” or “ skill performance evaluation (SPE)” from FMCSA are not covered under this waiver. 
5. Tis waiver does not apply to medical examiner’s certificates originally issued for less than 90 days.

TRUCK DRIVERS

Truck drivers are essential to keeping the supply chain open during this unusual business climate delivering food, needed medical supplies and other goods for American business and industry.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the truck industry, it is essential that everyone understands the importance of the trucking industry and most importantly, truck drivers!  Truckers are facing many challenges as they attempt to deliver needed supplies across the country.  They find it difficult to find food, they are frequently locked out of facilities and unable to enter when they deliver their loads, and of course may even have issues finding a place to relieve themselves.  On top of this, drivers are still on the road, going into hot spots of coronavirus outbreak to deliver needed supplies across the country.  They feed American, they supply the front line healthcare workers and keep America working as best we can.  THANKYOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FROM PMP!!!!

MEDICAL EXAMINERS

Medical Examiners are facing many challenges also.  They often times have to perform other tasks besides doing a DOT exam including screening for COVID-19 and treatment of other sick patients  Additionally, many medical facilities from Urgent Care to Occupational Practices have seen a drastic decrease in the number of services they provide due to the pandemic, creating significant financial stress and uncertainty.  Your role as medical examiners however has never been more important!  Your guidance and assistance to truck drivers and motor carriers during these unprecedented times is essential to keeping the supply chains open.  THANKYOU ALSO FOR ALL YOU DO!!!

STAYING SAFE

Both truck drivers and medical examiners need to do all things necessary in order to stay safe during the next few months.  From social distancing, to using facial coverings and respirators, doing what you can do in order to not only keep yourself safe, but to also ensure you do not spread the virus yourself. 

Some additional recommendations would be to:

• When exams are scheduled, both drivers will need to be pre-screened for COVID-19 prior to scheduling to assist in determining that the driver is safe to come in for an exam.
• Medical facilities should follow their established protocols during the pandemic and make sure that examiners and staff are screened daily.
• Social distance is also key.  Many facilities will have the driver wait in their cab or car and call them when it is their time to come in.  If not, always maintain 6 feet between all parties as much as possible even during the exam itself (except when the exam requires contact with the driver of course).
• Medical facilities also have exam protocols that are established that include everything from room prep to use of personal protection equipment.  This includes use of surgical masks and gloves during an exam.
  • For Medical Examiners and healthcare facilities, Pass My Physical is offering FREE on demand training relating to performing a DOT exam during the pandemic as well as FREE OSHA required training for using N95 respirators. 

Go to www.passmyphysical.com and log into OccMed Academy to access this FREE training. 

BE READY

As truck drivers and as medical examiners you need to be ready for a number of things.

• Be ready to do your exams now.  There are many that need to be done and we need to make sure that we keep the supply chain open.
  • Drivers come in prepared for an exam.  Have necessary clearances from treating providers (you may need to call and have them sent to an email during the pandemic…..it may be a little more difficult).   Get this done before you go in.
  • Medical examiners, with drivers having greater difficulty obtaining medical clearance and testing that may be required, consider a temporary certificate of 3 months to allow more time for the driver to obtain these things.  This should only be provided as you know if the rest of your exams allows you to do so, and that there is no possibility of sudden incapacitation over that time period. 
• Be ready for the expected surge when July 1, 2020 comes around!  There will be a rush to have exams that have been postponed.  It may be difficult to schedule appointments at convenient times, and even difficulty obtaining medical clearance and testing.  Start preparing now when you may have more time, to get things completed and ready for an exam!
• Look into paperless systems to perform DOT exams.  Pass My Physical offers solutions for medical examiners, drivers and motor carriers that are either low cost or FREE!   These solutions allow for filling out and performing a DOT physical without the use of paper exam forms.  When the exam is complete, the results are auto reported to the FMCSA and the system allows for transfer of completed exams and certificates to both drivers and motor carriers through secure portals.
  • Go to www.passmyphysical.com
    • Drivers, download the FREE Driver Mobile App directly from the website (and use it from any smart phone, PC, laptop).  It will allow you to fill out your exam form and store it.  It also informs you of what is needed for whatever medical condition you suffer and offers FREE clearance letters that you can use to get required clearance from your treating providers.  You will automatically be able to transfer your exam for directly to the medical examiner too.  No more having to fill out exam forms sitting in the waiting room!
    • Medical examiners can use DOTInsightEHR for FREE for 3 months (just sign up prior to July 1, 2020) should they sign up prior to July 1, 2020.  It not only auto reports to the FMCSA, but is direction driven (they system actually tells you the reg and guidance automatically while doing the exam) and has many additional tools available for the medical examiner and staff.

Drivers can fill out their exam form not only through the Driver mobile app, but also via email and text message.  It is total paperless!

Signing up for a subscription now will allow you and your staff to learn and become familiar with this easy-to-use program, and begin use of the platform right away.  You will be better prepared when the expected surge of exams come July 1, 2020. 

ALL YOU NEED DO IS USE THE PASSCODE “COVID-19” AND THE SYSTEM IS YOURS TO USE OVER THE NEXT 3 MONTHS TOTALLY FREE!

This offer is good only for new users of the platform.

                                               LET’S KEEP THOSE SUPPLY LANES OPEN!!!!!!