Open Enrollment Made Simple
By Shaw Kuster, MD | Louisville, Colorado | October 21, 2025
Choosing a Health Plan That Works with Direct Primary Care
Open enrollment season is here — and it’s the perfect time to make sure your health plan and your Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership are working together to keep your care simple, affordable, and stress-free.
At Abide Health, we believe you should have the freedom to see your doctor when you need to — without worrying about copays, billing codes, or insurance red tape. Here’s how to pick the right coverage to complement your DPC membership this enrollment season.
What Your DPC Membership Covers
Your monthly Abide Health membership gives you:
Unlimited primary care visits with Dr. Kuster
Transparent, affordable pricing — no surprise bills
Longer visits with a doctor who knows you personally
Easy access through same- or next-day appointments, text, or virtual visits
DPC takes care of your everyday medical needs — physicals, sick visits, chronic care, and many labs or procedures.
But you’ll still want insurance (or an alternative) for larger medical expenses like hospitalizations, imaging, or surgeries.
How to Pair DPC with the Right Health Plan
1. Choose a Plan for the “Big Stuff”
Since DPC covers your routine care, your insurance’s main purpose is to protect you from major or unexpected costs — things like ER visits, hospital stays, or specialist care.
Look for plans that focus on catastrophic or high-cost coverage, rather than paying extra for primary care you already get through Abide Health.
2. HDHP + HSA: The Smartest Pairing Yet
A High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) often has lower monthly premiums, which makes it a great fit with DPC.
And starting January 1, 2026, new federal law makes this combination even better:
You can keep contributing to your Health Savings Account (HSA) while enrolled in DPC.
You can use HSA dollars tax-free to pay your DPC membership fees — up to $150/month for individuals or $300/month for families.
This change means you’ll soon be able to cover your DPC membership directly from your HSA while maintaining tax advantages.
💡 Tip: Make sure your DPC plan qualifies under the new rules (covers only primary care services and meets the fee limit) to preserve your HSA eligibility.
3. Considering a Healthshare
Another option to pair with DPC is a healthshare (also called a medical cost-sharing community).
Healthshares are not insurance, but they can help cover large, unexpected expenses. Members contribute a monthly “share” that’s used to pay others’ eligible medical bills and receive reimbursement for their own eligible medical expenses when they have a need that arises.
Healthshares work well with DPC because:
Your primary care is already handled by Abide Health.
The healthshare helps with major, unpredictable events.
Monthly costs are typically lower than traditional insurance.
Before joining, research carefully — each healthshare has its own rules, eligibility requirements, and coverage limits.
Why DPC Makes a Strong Foundation
With Abide Health’s DPC model, you get:
Predictable costs for your primary care
Personalized attention from your doctor
Timely access when you need it most
Freedom from billing hassles and insurance barriers
By combining DPC with the right insurance or healthshare, you can enjoy personal, relationship-based care while still being protected from life’s unexpected medical costs.
What’s New for 2026: DPC + HSA Compatibility
Beginning January 2026, federal law will officially allow DPC members to use HSA funds to pay for membership fees and still contribute to their HSA — a huge win for patients and a step toward recognizing the value of direct primary care nationwide.
Ready to Make Your Plan?
Open enrollment is the perfect time to make sure your healthcare works for you.
At Abide Health in Louisville, Colorado, our team is happy to walk you through how your DPC membership fits with your insurance or healthshare options.
📍 Abide Health
315 W South Boulder Rd, Suite 206, Louisville, CO
📞 720-585-3250
💬 Schedule a free meet-and-greet today — we’ll help you explore your options and build a simple, cost-effective plan that keeps you healthy all year long.
