As health insurance prices surge, more New Yorkers are switching to direct primary care
DPC is a flat-fee care model that is helping families stay ahead.
From November 1 through January 31, New Yorkers can review, renew, or change their health-insurance plans for 2026.
Every fall, costs rise, rules shift, and families in our community, across Tompkins County find themselves asking the same question: “Am I getting my money’s worth?” This year, the question matters more than ever.
Health Care Premiums Are Rising Again
Health insurance companies have requested major rate increases across New York.
DFS approved an average 7.1% rate increase for New York’s individual market, while national filings still project around 18–25% premium hikes in many states.
Meanwhile, deductibles for marketplace plans remain steep, typically $5,000 to $6,000, and in some cases higher, before coverage even begins.
That means even with insurance, many people pay thousands out of pocket before seeing any benefit.
And while prices climb, the system itself keeps getting shakier. Subsidy changes could leave some households paying much more.
Employers are cutting back or dropping plans entirely.
Programs such as the Essential Plan face funding uncertainty.
For many families in the Finger Lakes, healthcare feels less like security and more like a gamble.
A Chance to Rethink the Whole Model
Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to step back and re-evaluate what you’re really paying for.
If your monthly premium feels like a second rent payment and your deductible keeps you from seeing your doctor, there’s another path: Direct Primary Care (DPC).
How Direct Primary Care Works
Homesteady Health offers a DPC membership model that replaces the stress of billing and copays with a simple, transparent monthly fee in the Trumansburg and Ithaca area.
For $50 – $129 a month, members get:
Unlimited visits, in-office or telehealth
Same- or next-day appointments
As-long-as-you-need-them visits (no 10-minute rush)
Chronic-condition support and urgent-care access
No copays, no deductibles, no surprise bills
Your membership covers 80–90% of everyday healthcare needs.
Pair it with a high-deductible or catastrophic plan for major emergencies, or use a health-sharing plan if you prefer a community-based approach.
And beginning January 1, 2026, federal law officially allows HSA (Health Savings Account) dollars to pay DPC membership fees (with limits).
That means you can use pre-tax money to cover your Homesteady Health membership, a first in the U.S. healthcare system.
And beginning January 1, 2026, federal law officially allows HSA (Health Savings Account) dollars to pay DPC membership fees (with limits). That means you can use pre-tax money to cover your Homesteady Health membership, a first in the U.S. healthcare system.
Why This Matters for Tompkins County
Local families and small businesses are being squeezed by higher premiums and fewer options.
Homesteady Health was built to bring back access, relationships, and affordability to primary care right here in the Ithaca area.
Whether you’re self-employed, between jobs, or covered through a small-business plan, DPC gives you:
Predictable costs you control
Care from the same provider who actually knows you
The flexibility to text, call, or visit without worrying about the bill
How to Take Action Before January 31
Review your current plan. Look at what you’re paying in premiums, copays, and deductibles, not just your monthly rate.
Estimate how often you actually use care. Most people only need primary-care services throughout the year, yet pay for full-coverage plans they rarely use.
Compare. Ask yourself what it would look like to pair a low-cost insurance plan or health-sharing program with a Homesteady Health membership instead.
Talk to us. We’ll walk you through how DPC fits into your situation, no pressure, no insurance jargon.
The Bottom Line
Healthcare in New York is changing fast. Premiums are rising, subsidies are shrinking, and access keeps getting harder.
Homesteady Health offers a smarter, simpler alternative, local, transparent, relationship-based care that works for you, not the insurance companies.
If you’re in Ithaca, Trumansburg, or anywhere in Tompkins County, this Open Enrollment season is the perfect time to see how much better healthcare can be.
Call 607-882-6001 to schedule a quick chat about how Direct Primary Care can fit your needs.