CVS/pharmacy, which operates MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics inside many of its retail operations in 31 states and the District of Columbia, said its practitioners have been certified to perform U.S. DOT examinations for commercial drivers.
A law requiring drivers to see only medical professionals included on the National Registry was implemented in May 2014 to ensure that examinations were performed by certified medical professionals. MinuteClinic nurse practitioners and physician assistants are now included on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, it said.
MinuteClinic practitioners have completed FMCSA training and passed a test on physical qualification standards as part of the certification process, CVS said.
“Through the stringent FMCSA training and certification exam, our practitioners have the knowledge to determine if a professional driver can safely handle the medical demands of driving a commercial motor vehicle on the highways,” said Nancy Gagliano, MinuteClinic chief medical officer.
MinuteClinic is open seven days a week with no appointment necessary and USDOT exams are available wherever a practitioner on the National Registry is on duty. To find a MinuteClinic location offering USDOT physicals, visit the MinuteClinic website at www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/resources/dot-physicals-locations.
The cost for a USDOT exam at MinuteClinic is $109 and $35 for a follow up exam visit. Health care insurance does not cover DOT physicals but most insurance is accepted for other MinuteClinic services.
“Because we’re all over the country and easy to reach, MinuteClinic is a great fit for drivers to not only obtain their biannual exam but also receive medical care throughout the year for acute illnesses and chronic condition monitoring,” said Angela Patterson, MinuteClinic chief nurse practitioner officer. “Our electronic medical records system allows us to access patient histories at any clinic in the U.S, which makes it easy for drivers to visit us in most parts of the country.”
