For years, one of the most common questions asked by both patients and employers has been: “Can I use my Health Savings Account (HSA) for my DPC membership?”
Until now, the answer has been stuck in a legal gray area.
That changes with the latest federal budget bill. Starting January 1, 2026, HSAs can officially be used to pay for Direct Primary Care memberships.
The provision comes from the 2025 federal budget package (sometimes called the “tax-spending bill”). It updates IRS rules to explicitly classify Direct Primary Care fees as qualified medical expenses under Section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.
This small but powerful change removes the ambiguity that kept many patients (and employers with high-deductible health plans) from applying HSA funds to DPC. Beginning in 2026, DPC stands on the same footing as office visits, prescriptions, and other traditional healthcare costs.
What this means for your clinic:
- Patients save money by being able to use pre-tax dollars for their DPC membership.
- Employers gain flexibility to include DPC in their benefit packages.
- DPC gains parity with traditional healthcare spending, removing one of the last big financial barriers.
- Your conversations get easier when explaining how patients can affordably join your practice.
This change is a huge validation of the DPC model and a win for DPC clinics everywhere. It acknowledges that membership-based care is not only legitimate but a valuable part of the healthcare landscape.
For clinics, it means more patients can access your care without financial gymnastics. For patients, it means less hesitation and more freedom to choose the kind of relationship-based medicine they want.
For the first time, the tax code recognizes what patients already know: direct care is real care.