A Big Win for DPC and HSAs: What the One Big Beautiful Bill Means for You

This week on the Take Charge with HELPcare podcast, my co-host Dan Hinmon and I had the pleasure of sitting down with my friend and healthcare policy expert, John Kelly, to talk about something that could significantly change the game for our patients and members—the newly passed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

If you’re part of a direct primary care (DPC) practice like HELPcare Clinic, you may have heard (or asked) the question: “Can I use my Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for my membership?” Up until now, the answer has been a disappointing “no.” But that’s all about to change—starting in 2026, DPC memberships will officially be considered qualified medical expenses under federal HSA rules. That’s a huge win for patients and for the future of DPC.

John did a great job explaining why this matters. First, HSAs are tax-advantaged accounts that let you put away money pre-tax and spend it tax-free on approved medical expenses. They’ve always been a great tool to help stretch your healthcare dollars—especially for things like prescriptions, vision, dental, and co-pays. Now, with this new law, your monthly DPC subscription can be included too.

This change came after years of legislative gridlock around whether DPC should be classified as insurance. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act clears that up at the federal level: DPC is not insurance, and HSAs can finally be used accordingly.

It’s important to note the effective date—January 1, 2026. But John’s advice was clear: if you already have a qualified high-deductible health plan (HDHP), there’s no reason to wait. Start funding your HSA now, so you’re ready when the change takes effect.

We also touched on some upcoming changes to the Affordable Care Act marketplace—like a much shorter open enrollment window and the elimination of auto-renewals. These shifts, combined with rising premiums, may prompt more people to look for flexible, affordable care options. HELPcare is ready to be part of that solution.

This was just part one of our conversation. Next time, we’ll dive into what this legislation means for employers and their health plans. Until then, I encourage everyone to learn more about HSAs—and start planning to make the most of them come 2026.

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Lee Aase

Lee Aase is the founder of HELPcare LLC, which provides comprehensive membership, marketing and management services for provider-owned HELPcare Clinics, as well as metabolic health education and coaching for people interested in restoring health and reversing disease through lifestyle changes. Lee and his wife Lisa live in Austin, MN and have six married children and 18 grandchildren.