The FMCSA made changes to the diabetes waiver form program affecting thousands of drivers. The previous FMCSA program required drivers to obtain an exemption form which involved financial fees and could keep a driver out of the cab for up to six months. The new regulations allow individuals with a stable insulin regimen and properly controlled insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) to be qualified to operate commercial motor vehicles with less cost incurred and possible elimination of waiting periods. The FMCSA stated the final rule will eliminate the exemption program that currently requires individuals with ITDM to incur recurring costs to renew and maintain their exemptions.  FMCSA estimates this will save the nearly 5,000 individuals with ITDM that currently have exemptions more than $5 million per year more than what they would endure under the exemption program.  The final rule will also save new ITDM exemption applicants and their associated motor carriers approximately $215,000 annually in opportunity and compliance costs related with the exemption program’s waiting period.

The elimination of the exemption program enables a certified medical examiner (ME) to grant an individual with ITDM a Medical Examiner’s Certificate, MCSA-5876, for up to 12 months.  To do so, the treating clinician – the healthcare professional who manages, and prescribes insulin for, the treatment of the individual’s diabetes – provides the ITDM Assessment Form, MCSA-5870, to the certified ME indicating that the individual maintains a stable insulin regimen and proper control of his or her diabetes.  The certified ME is then responsible for determining if the individual meets FMCSA’s physical qualification standards and can operate CMVs in interstate commerce.

 “This final action delivers economic savings to affected drivers and our agency, and streamlines processes by eliminating unnecessary regulatory burdens and redundancy,” said FMCSA Administrator Raymond P. Martinez.  “It’s a win-win for all parties involved.”

Copy of the rule change https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/09/19/2018-20161/qualifications-of-drivers-diabetes-standard

Click on the following link to learn more about FMCSA’s Medical Program Division: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/medical.