Insurance Company Weighs In
We asked Great West Casualty Company, one of the nation's largest insurance providers to trucking companies, to weigh in on obstructive sleep apnea.
Q: How important is detecting OSA in commercial drivers to safety on the highway?
A: We do not know how widespread OSA is. Based on the research we have seen, it could be significant. Until we know more about how many drivers have this problem, we cannot support any federal regulations that mandate testing for sleep apnea.
Q : Could you comment on in-house OSA education, screening, and treatment?
A: Drivers who are receiving treatment for OSA are treated like drivers with any other medical condition. Treatment can be successful when used; drivers increase their risk of falling asleep at the wheel when they do not receive the proper treatment.
We support more and better education of drivers, carrier management, and doctors that conduct DOT physicals about OSA as well as other sleep disorders. The ultimate goal should be good screening techniques so that drivers who may be at risk get properly tested.
Q: When a driver has an accident caused by falling asleep at the wheel, does OSA enter into the investigation or is it assumed he/she was fatigued?
A: Drivers are typically thought to be fatigued rather than suffering from OSA. If a driver has been ill or injured--from an accident or other means — the FMCSR requires that driver get a physical exam if that illness/injury impairs their ability to perform normal work duties. If the carrier feels OSA is a contributing factor, it is the carrier's responsibility to get the driver tested.
OSA can be indicated by a questionnaire for excessive daytime drowsiness. A sleep study is then performed. If the driver has sleep apnea, he/she is given the option of treatment with either an operation to correct the airway obstruction or using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. CPAP by far is the most common and effective treatment. A driver can use CPAP and continue to drive since CPAP machines are only used when a driver is sleeping. Either way, successful treatment restores the driver's energy level and resolves the excessive drowsiness issue.
Q: How big of a problem is sleep apnea from the insurance company perspective?
A: There are many factors that we look at when evaluating carriers. Driver screening techniques regarding physical fitness is one of many. If we do find problems with a carrier's screening procedures, or evidence that a particular driver might have a problem, we would expect the carrier to take action.
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