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Medicare Open Enrollment Is Here. What About Your Primary Care?

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Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026, and plan details for 2027 are already available. Any changes you make take effect January 1.

Most people spend this season comparing premiums and drug plans. Fewer stop to ask a simpler question: can I actually reach my doctor when I need to?

If the answer is “not really,” a direct primary care (DPC) membership may be worth a look. Here’s how it works when you’re on Medicare.

How DPC Works Alongside Medicare

A DPC membership doesn’t replace Medicare. It works next to it.

  • Your membership covers your primary care. You pay us a flat $120 a month for unlimited visits and direct access to your doctor. We don’t bill Medicare for our visits, and Medicare doesn’t reimburse the membership fee. Medicare members sign a short private agreement confirming this.
  • Medicare still covers everything else. Hospital stays, specialists, labs, imaging, and prescriptions we order are billed to Medicare as usual.
  • Keep your Medicare coverage. You still need Part A, Part B, and drug coverage for care outside our office.
  • On a Medicare Advantage plan? Some plans, especially HMOs, require referrals and orders to come from an in-network primary care doctor. Check your plan’s rules before you join, or message us and we’ll help you sort it out.

Five Ways Medicare Patients Benefit

  1. Time with your doctor. Our visits are 30 to 60 minutes. That’s enough time to go through every medication, every specialist’s note, and every question on your list.
  2. Same-day or next-day visits. When something comes up, you’re seen quickly, not in three weeks.
  3. A doctor you can reach. Text, email, or call your doctor directly during office hours. No phone trees, no waiting on a portal message.
  4. One doctor who knows the whole picture. If you see several specialists, we help coordinate them, watch for medication conflicts, and explain what it all means.
  5. Clear, predictable costs. One flat monthly fee. Any in-office procedure is $0 to $100, and you’ll always know the price first.

Many everyday problems can be handled quickly with a call or a same-day visit, which can save you a trip to urgent care.

Can You Pay with HSA Funds?

Maybe, and this is new. Since January 1, 2026, federal law lets people use Health Savings Account (HSA) money to pay DPC membership fees, as long as the membership costs no more than $150 a month per person and meets IRS rules.

If you’re on Medicare, two things to know:

  • You can’t add new money to an HSA once you enroll in any part of Medicare.
  • You can still spend what’s already there. Money you saved in an HSA before Medicare can be used tax-free for qualified medical expenses.

So if you built up an HSA during your working years, you may be able to use it toward your membership. Ask your tax advisor or HSA provider to confirm for your situation.

A Good Time to Rethink Your Primary Care

While you’re reviewing your Medicare coverage this fall, ask yourself:

  • How long do I wait to see my doctor?
  • Do I feel rushed during visits?
  • Does anyone look at all my medications and specialists together?

If you’d like more from your primary care, we’d love to talk. We are accepting new members, and your first visit is a full hour.

Message us or call to set up your new patient visit.

This post is general information, not insurance, tax, or legal advice. We don’t sell or recommend Medicare plans. For help choosing a plan, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.