Regulatory Board,

I feel the decrease in fee for Direct Access Certification is a good gesture, however, having to pay a fee just to be able to have the state say it's okay to see people without a prescription along with having to continue to pay a fee to keep it doesn't really feel like true direct access.  If I meet the requirements for it and cont to pay for the increased cont edu requirements, why can't my license be marked to show the difference and no increased fees be imposed or at least just a one time fee? 

The other fact that needs to be considered is right now this Direct Access designation gives me no real advantage in having it since insurance companies (inlcuding medicare) still won't reimburse without a doctor's prescription, so where is my ability to bring in more money to pay for this designation along with the cont edu, when I am still needing a doctor prescription.  Right now this designation is a good start, but until laws and reimbursement changes are made for direct access to truly be direct access, for some the cost of getting and maintaining this designation for nothing other than professional self-esteem won't be worth it.