If you need to certify to, or attest to Meaningful Use Stage 2, the answer is yes.
If you need to report to Meaningful Use Stage 2, the answer is yes.
Direct is required for the following criteria:
§170.314(b)(1) -- Transitions of care – receive, display and incorporate transition of care/referral summaries,
§170.314(b)(2) -- Transitions of care – create and transmit transition of care/referral summaries, and
§170.314(e)(1) -- View, download, and transmit to 3rd party
Direct may be used for other objectives like secure messaging or public health, but it is only required in the above 3 criteria.