Welcome to E-Z DOT Physicals at 84 Chiropractic, your premier destination for DOT physicals in Southwestern Pennsylvania. If you’re a commercial driver dealing with diabetes, navigating the regulations and requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) can be challenging. That’s where we come in to provide clarity and support

Diabetes and FMCSA DOT Physicals: What You Need to Know

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes blood sugar (glucose). There are two main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 Diabetes: This type occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin injections to survive.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. It is often linked to lifestyle factors such as obesity, poor diet, and lack of physical activity.

Can I Get a DOT Medical Card with Diabetes?

Yes, you may still be eligible for a DOT medical card with diabetes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established guidelines for drivers with diabetes. These guidelines consider factors such as the type of diabetes you have, your treatment plan, and your blood sugar control.

To be eligible for a DOT medical card with diabetes, you will need to meet the following requirements:

• Blood Sugar Control: FMCSA regulations mandate that drivers with diabetes must demonstrate stable blood sugar control. This typically involves maintaining blood sugar levels within a specific range through medication, diet, and lifestyle management.
  • Driver must have no history in the previous 12 months of hypoglycemic reaction resulting in:
    • Seizure,
    • Loss of Consciousness, or Coma.
    • Need of assistance from another person.
  • Driver must have not have 2 or more disqualifying hypoglycemic reactions in the previous 5 years
• Diabetic Complications: You must not have any diabetic complications that could impair your ability to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle including:
  • Resting tachycardia or orthostatic hypotension
  • Loss of position or pedal sensation
  • A diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, proliferative retinopathy, or severe non-proliferative retinopathy
• Medical Documentation: Drivers with diabetes are required to provide additional medical documentation during their DOT physical. This includes records of blood sugar or hemoglobin A1C1 results, medication usage, and any related complications.

Procedure for Certification with Insulin-Treated Diabetes Mellitus (ITDM)

• On September 19, 2018 the FMCSA announced new regulation allowing drivers with insulin-treated DM to be certified, eliminating the federal exemption for such drivers.
• The Treating Clinician (TC), the healthcare professional who manages, and prescribes insulin for, the treatment of the driver’s diabetes, provides the Insulin-Treated DM Assessment Form, MCSA-5870, to the Medical Examiner attesting that the driver maintains a stable insulin regimen and proper control of diabetes.
• The certified medical examiner must receive the form and begin the medical examination no later than 45 days after the date on the signed form; however, the medical certification determination does not need to be completed within 45 days.
• The certified medical examiner cannot use Determination Pending to allow the driver an opportunity to have form MCSA-5870 completed if she/he presents for the exam without it.
• The ITDM driver may be certified for up to a maximum of 12 months.
• ITDM drivers must provide to the treating clinician the preceding 3 months of blood glucose self-monitoring records to be eligible for the maximum 12-month certification. If a driver does not provide the 3 months of records, the certified medical examiner has discretion to grant the individual up to but not more than a 3-month medical examination certificate (MEC, MCSA 5876), to allow time for the individual to collect the necessary records. The monitoring records must be electronic records, not hand-written records. The regulation rule does not establish a specific frequency of blood glucose monitoring.

What to Bring to Your DOT Physical

If you have diabetes and are applying for a DOT physical, be sure to bring the following to your appointment:

• A list of your medications
• Your latest blood sugar test results
• MCSA-5870 INSULIN-TREATED DIABETES MELLITUS ASSESSMENT FORM if you have ITDM

E-Z DOT Physicals at 84 Chiropractic is committed to helping commercial drivers in Southwestern Pennsylvania maintain their DOT medical cards. Our experienced medical examiner, Dr. Joseph Piasecki, can answer your questions and guide you through the DOT physical process.

Schedule your DOT physical appointment with E-Z DOT Physicals at 84 Chiropractic today! We are conveniently located in Eighty Four, PA, and serve the greater Pittsburgh area and Washington County Pennsylvania. Call us at (724) 470-9600 or schedule online.

We look forward to helping you get back on the road!