I believe there is some confusion here when discussing MEA and MSA.
MEA is defined as 'Minimum en route altitude (MEA) is the lowest published altitude between radio navigation fixes that assures acceptable navigational signal' and I don't think this has anything to do with a clearance direct to a terminal fix in the circumstances being discussed in this thread.
Depending on distance from the IAF the considerations must surely be your safety altitude for that portion of the route and then the 25nm MSA.
Finally, if in doubt that you've been cleared out of the last assigned altitude - in this case FL80 - then ask ATC.