Health Insurance for Truck Drivers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies trucking as a high-risk occupation. Sleep deprivation and long work hours can contribute to health problems and highway accidents. Working in the commercial trucking industry frequently leads to problems with fatigue, diminished mental alertness, respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms, headaches and musculoskeletal disorders, according to a 2009 Rutgers University study. Insurers often deny truckers coverage based on lifestyle habits and occupational risks.

Health Risks

• Trucking is a high-risk health occupation in many ways. Commercial truck drivers have the second highest number of nonfatal injuries related to occupation, according to the Centers or Disease Control and Prevention. The risk of traffic accidents, working in a high-stress environment, weight gain from eating an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity and exposure to diesel exhaust makes truckers a poor risk for health insurance companies. Truckers are at increased risk of coronary artery disease, hypertension, lung cancer and diabetes. Even for truck drivers who have health insurance coverage, managed care plans that use network doctors and hospitals make it difficult to get medical care when they are on the road miles away from their home state.

Uninsured

• Many of the nation's independent truck drivers have no health insurance, or only limited access to health care. In general, there are few affordable health care options available to people who work for themselves. Premiums are usually high, benefits limited and coverage minimal. Health insurance companies are often hesitant to cover individuals who are self-employed. Being uninsured comes at the risk of not getting the routine medical care to prevent a medical emergency. This could be the case for uninsured truckers who may ignore symptoms until they become serious.

Group Rates

• Many of the nation's independent, owner-operator truck drivers do not earn enough income to buy an individual health care plan that provides the comprehensive medical coverage they need for themselves and their families. One way in which truckers can qualify for more affordable health insurance rates is to work as employees for trucking companies that offer group health insurance as an employee benefit. This allows drivers to share the cost of insurance premiums with an employer. Monthly premium rates for group insurance are based on the general health of the group, not just that of an individual, lowering the cost to the insured. The problem is that many companies cut high employee benefit costs by contracting out trucking services.

Truckers Development and Relief Fund

• The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund provides financial assistance to independent truck drivers and their families who may not have the money for prescription drugs or other medical services. The nonprofit organization sometimes offers assistance with household expenses while a trucker is out of work and recuperating from illness or injury. In some cases, the organization negotiates lower medical bills with doctors and hospitals along with payment plans. A truck driver in need of assistance is required to submit an application. The organization then requests a copy of the medical records after which time a review committee considers the application. If approved, the fund pays the bills directly. If an application is denied, the committee may direct the trucker to other resources for help.