You Can Now Use Your HSA for Direct Primary Care — Here's What Changed in 2026
A new federal ruling makes DPC membership fees HSA-eligible starting January 1, 2026. Here's what it means for Akwaaba Clinic members.
If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), 2026 brought a meaningful change: Direct Primary Care membership fees are now HSA-eligible under a federal clarification that took effect January 1, 2026.
For Akwaaba Clinic members, this means your $25/month individual or $40/month family membership can be paid with pre-tax HSA dollars.
What Changed
For years, DPC practices operated in a gray zone with the IRS. HSA funds can only be used for "qualified medical expenses" — and there was ongoing debate about whether a flat monthly membership fee qualified, since it wasn't fee-for-service billing.
The 2026 ruling clarified that DPC fees paid directly to a licensed healthcare provider for primary care services are qualified medical expenses under IRC Section 213(d). This applies retroactively to January 1, 2026.
What This Means for You
If you have an HSA-eligible high-deductible health plan (HDHP) — which is exactly the kind of plan that pairs well with DPC — you can now:
- Pay your Akwaaba Clinic membership fee directly from your HSA account
- Pay wholesale lab costs from your HSA (this was already allowed)
- Stretch your HSA dollars further by using pre-tax funds for primary care
The practical impact: if you're in the 22% federal tax bracket, your effective cost for the $25/month membership drops to about $19.50/month after the tax benefit.
The DPC + HDHP Combination
This is the pairing most financial planners recommend for healthy, cost-conscious families:
- HDHP with low premiums and a high deductible — covers hospitalizations, specialist care, and major procedures
- DPC membership — covers the primary care you actually use day-to-day, with no copays or per-visit fees
- HSA — tax-advantaged account you contribute to, now usable for both your DPC membership and wholesale labs
The math often works out favorably. A family on an HDHP might pay $400–600/month less in premiums compared to a traditional PPO. The $40/month Akwaaba Clinic family membership more than covers the primary care that would otherwise trigger copays on that PPO.
How to Pay with Your HSA
Most HSA administrators (Fidelity, Optum, HealthEquity) issue a debit card. You can use that card directly to pay your Akwaaba Clinic monthly fee. If your HSA doesn't support direct debit, pay out of pocket and submit for reimbursement with a receipt from us.
Keep records of your membership payments for tax purposes. We can provide a receipt or annual statement upon request.
What the Membership Fee Does Not Cover
Just to be clear about what the HSA-eligible portion covers: the membership fee itself ($25 or $40/month). Wholesale lab costs are separate and billed at cost-plus — those are also HSA-eligible as standard medical expenses.
Prescription drug costs, specialist visits, and hospital costs are covered under your HDHP with your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
Questions?
Not sure if this applies to your specific HSA plan? Your HSA administrator can confirm. Or bring the question to Dr. Kordie — navigating healthcare costs and helping members make smart decisions is part of what DPC is about.
Akwaaba Clinic accepts HSA payments. Individual membership: $25/month. Family membership: $40/month. Book a free Meet & Greet to learn more.