Representative Mike Ross (D-AR) has introduced the Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 3024), along with 13 original co-sponsors. H.R. 3024 eliminates the need for Medicare patients to obtain a physician referral prior to visiting an audiologist for an evaluation. Currently our nation's veterans, through the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA), can receive an audiological exam without first obtaining a physician referral. Federal employees and members of Congress also have direct access to an audiologist. This bill would afford Medicare patients the same direct access to an audiologist.

The grassroots efforts of audiologists have contributed to the creation of a strong foundation on this issue, however it is the continued involvement and visibility of audiologists that will further promote awareness for Direct Access among lawmakers.

Direct Access Legislation in the 111th Congress

The Medicare Hearing Health Care Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 3024)

• Bill Text
• Co-sponsors
• Issue Brief (PDF)
• Write to Your Representative
• Meet with Your Representative
• Academy Letter of Support to Representative Mike Ross (D-AR) (PDF)
• Advertisement in Capitol Hill's "Most Read" Newspaper, Roll Call (PDF)
• Patient Advocacy Poster (Direct Access Poster)
• State Academies Endorsing H.R. 3024
  • Alabama Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Arkansas Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Audiology Association of Virginia, Inc. (PDF)
  • California Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Colorado Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Connecticut Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Florida Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Georgia Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Illinois Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Kentucky Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Maryland Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Massachusetts Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Minnesota Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Missouri Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • New Jersey Academy of Audiology
  • Ohio Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Puerto Rico Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Texas Academy of Audiology (PDF)
  • Washington Society of Audiology (PDF)
• Direct Access Fact Sheet
• Endorsing Organizations
  • American Association of People with Disabilities
  • American Board of Audiology
  • Academy of Doctors of Audiology
  • American Speech-Language Hearing Association
  • Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (PDF)
  • Hands and Voices
  • Hearing Loss Association of America
  • National Association of the Deaf (PDF)
  • National Hearing Conservation Association (PDF)
  • Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf, Inc.
• Frequently Asked Questions
• CMS Direct Access Report
  • CMS Direct Access Report to Congress (PDF)
  • Academy Response to CMS (PDF)
• Freeman/Lichtman Costs Savings Analysis (PDF)
• Letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (PDF)

Direct Access Archives