The ColoHealth Health & Wealth Newsletter
August 2025
Vol. 28, Issue 8

Bronze Plans Automatically HSA-Qualified Starting in January

Starting January 1st, every Bronze-level health insurance plan will automatically become HSA-qualified.

This means you’ll be allowed to contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA)—a tax-advantaged way to pay for healthcare expenses.

Why this matters:

• Contributions are tax-deductible
• Growth is tax-free
• Withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free

In 2025, you can contribute up to:

• $4,300 as an individual
• $8,550 for a family
• An extra $1,000 if you’re 55 or older

Savings tip: If you’re in a high-deductible Bronze plan, this change could save you thousands per year in taxes—just by opening and funding an HSA.

HSA Funds Can Now Be Used for Direct Primary Care (DPC)

Another game-changer: you can now use your HSA to pay for DPC membership fees.

This allows you to use pre-tax dollars for care that’s already more affordable than traditional insurance-based clinics.

Why DPC is gaining popularity:

• Unlimited doctor visits
• No copays
• Easy same-day or next-day appointments
• More time with your doctor

Previously: If you had a DPC membership, you weren’t allowed to fund an HSA.
Now: You can do both—join a DPC and enroll in an HSA-qualified plan (including health sharing plans!)

This change alone could lower your overall healthcare costs by 30% or more.

Health Insurance Premiums Are Rising in 2026

If you’re on a health insurance plan, expect to see a notice of changes in premiums and benefits around early October.

Here’s why rates are going up:

• The enhanced subsidies from the past four years are expiring
• Many healthy individuals are moving to health sharing plans, which are often half the cost of traditional insurance
• That leaves a sicker pool of people in insurance, pushing prices even higher

Good news: If you qualify for a larger subsidy, your premium may not increase—or may even go down—because your subsidy adjusts with the cost.

💡 Consider Health Sharing as a Lower-Cost Alternative

Health sharing plans aren’t insurance, but they’re growing fast for good reason:

• Monthly contributions often 50% less than unsubsidized insurance
• No network restrictions – use any doctor or hospital
• Options like HSA Secure and DPC Direct combine health sharing with an HSA and DPC membership for even greater savings

Important: Most healthshare plans have a waiting period before sharing expenses related to pre-existing conditions. They’re not for everyone—but they’re ideal for many.

👥 Want to Review Your Options? We’re Here to Help.

As always, our top priority is helping you stay in a plan that meets your needs, goals, and budget.

If you’re unsure whether your current plan still makes sense—or if you’re curious about health sharing—schedule a quick call with your Personal Benefits Manager.

They know your situation and can walk you through your best options for 2026.

👉 Schedule an Appointment with Your Personal Benefits Manager

To Your Health and Wealth,

Wiley P. Long III
President- ColoHealth

The ColoHealth Health & Wealth Newsletter is published monthly and emailed to subscribers at no charge. Subscribe now to stay on top of the critical information you need to know about health insurance, healthshare plans and managing your finances to achieve financial security.