IN THIS ISSUE - Academy of Dispensing Audiologists

ADA members Gail Linn, Au.D. and Alicia Spoor, Au.D. on Capitol Hill, May 11,
2011, advocating for the Hearing Aid Tax Credit.
http://www.audiologist.org/advocacy/contact-congress.html to
locate your elected representatives and to find a template letter to
email/write supporting H.R. 1479 and S. 905.
Additionally, help support the ADA with all current and future
(Direct Access) legislation by supporting the Academy of Doctors
of Audiology Political Action Committee (ADA-PAC). Visit http://
audiologist.org/advocacy/ada-pac.html to make a secure contribution
online. Your voice and your donation can AuDvocate for Audiology
and our patients! n
Alicia D.D. Spoor, Au.D. joined Audiology Associates Inc. in 2007.
Previously, Dr. Spoor was part of the cochlear implant and hearing aid
teams at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. She received her Doctor of Audiology
degree and Master of Science degree from Gallaudet University, in
Washington, D.C. Clinical internship experiences included Bethesda
National Naval Medical Center (BNNMC), Ft. Belvoir Army Community
Hospital and Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES).
In addition, she has 8 years of formal American Sign Language (ASL)
education and has completed intensive coursework in Deaf culture and
multicultural sensitivity. Dr. Spoor taught at both the undergraduate
and graduate levels while at Gallaudet University. She received her
Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University in Audiology
and Speech Sciences. She takes a special interest in teaching and educational
training at all age levels, tinnitus treatment, assistive technology
and humanitarian outreach efforts. Dr. Spoor is the current Past-President
of the Maryland Academy of Audiology and chairs the Advocacy
Committee for the Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
ADA Supports
Direct Access Legislation
This legislation would specifically:
Amend title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to
provide direct access to qualified audiologists for Medicare
beneficiaries, without regard to any requirement that the beneficiary
be under the care of (or referred by) a physician or
other healthcare practitioner, or that such services are provided
under the supervision of a physician or other healthcare
practitioner. Covers audiology services under Medicare part B
(Supplementary Medical Insurance).
• Direct Access would provide for the delivery of highquality
patient care. Audiologists are doctoral-educated,
licensed healthcare professionals--the only professionals
who are university-trained and licensed to specifically
identify, evaluate, diagnose, and treat hearing disorders.
Audiologists are trained to recognize problems requiring
medical attention and to immediately refer such patients
to a physician.
• Direct Access is cost-effective. The requirement of an
initial physician visit prior to a visit to an audiologist is
costly to the Medicare program. Medicare already allows
beneficiaries Direct Access to a range of non-physician
practitioners such as dentists, podiatrists, optometrists,
chiropractors, clinical nurse specialists, clinical psychologists,
clinical social workers, nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners,
and physician assistants.
• Other federal programs already allow Direct Access to an
audiologist. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has
allowed veterans Direct Access to audiologists for the past
16 years, with successful results. The Office of Personnel
Management allows Federal employees and Members of
Congress to directly access audiologists through the Federal
Employees Health Benefits Program.
As previously stated, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology
unequivocally supports the direct access initiative and will
fully concentrate our efforts in that endeavor. We cannot
support any legislation that compromises the success or the
intent of direct access for Medicare patients to audiologists.
Please visit www.audiologist.org for more information about
ADA’s advocacy initiatives.
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