The $125 Escape: Why 2026 Is the Year to Ditch Insurance and Pay Cash at East County Internal Medicine

By Shaan Kunwar, DO – East County Internal Medicine, Lakewood Ranch, FLPublished: November 1, 2025

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Your Health Insurance Just Sent You a $2,000+ Bill. We Didn’t.

If you opened your 2026 health insurance renewal letter this week, you already know the bad news: premiums are up an average of 26%. Some families? Over $27,000 per year — before a single copay or deductible.¹ That’s $2,250 per month… for the privilege of hoping you don’t get sick. Meanwhile, at East County Internal Medicine, your follow-up visit with Dr. Shaan Kunwar, DO is still $125 flat. No monthly fees. No contracts. No surprise bills. Just world-class, unhurried care — only when you need it.

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The Math That Hurts (and the Math That Heals)

2026 Reality	Cost
Average family premium	$27,156/year
Average individual premium	$10,092/year
Average deductible	$7,100
Your follow-up with Dr. Kunwar	$125

For the cost of one month of insurance, you could get 18 follow-up visits with Dr. Kunwar.

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Why Our $125 Flat-Rate Model Is Your Smartest Move in 2026

1. You Pay Only When You Come In

No subscriptions. No “membership” auto-billing. You walk in, get VIP care from Dr. Shaan Kunwar, DO, pay $125, and walk out — done.

2. Same-Day, Unhurried Appointments

No 7-minute conveyor-belt visits. Quality time with your doctor. Call / Text us at 2 PM with a sore throat? See you at 3.

3. All-Inclusive Pricing (No “Add-On” Shock)

Your $125 follow-up includes:

• Always a complete evaluation
• Labs ordered as needed
• All medication management
• Referrals and Forms processing as needed
• No other fees.

4. HSA/FSA Eligible

Use pre-tax dollars. Many patients pay less out-of-pocket with us than with “covered” insurance visits.

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Meet Your New Healthcare Reality: The $125 Flat-Rate Menu

Service	Cash Price
Follow-Up Visit	$125
New Patient Exam	$175
Cannabis New Patient	$200
Cannabis Follow Up	$100
Semaglutide Weight Loss	$500

Print this. Bring it in. We’ll knock $25 off your first visit.

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Who This Is For (And Who It’s Saving Right Now)

You Are…	Your Pain	Your $125 Fix
High-Deductible Hero	$8K deductible you’ll never meet	Pay $125 instead of $1K/month for nothing
Snowbird	Out-of-network chaos in FL	Pay per visit — no plan needed
Self-Employed	$1,200+ solo premiums	Drop the plan. Pay $125 when you come
Medicare + Gap	Copays + referral runaround	$125 = full visit, no Part B games

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Real Patient, Real Escape

“I was paying $1,400/month for a plan with a $9,000 deductible. I hadn’t met it in 3 years. Now? I see Dr. Kunwar whenever I want for $125. I’ve saved over $15,000 this year — and actually like my doctor.” — Sarah T., Lakewood Ranch

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The Insurance Industry Wants You Scared. We Want You Free.

They sell fear: “What if you get cancer?” We sell freedom: Pay $125 when you come in. Use your savings for a high-deductible catastrophe plan if you want — or self-insure with cash. Most patients? They pair our $125 visits with a cheap HDHP for emergencies.Total cost: Under $500/month — vs. $2,000+ for “comprehensive” coverage they never use.

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Your 3-Step Escape Plan (Start Today)

1. Calculate Your Savings → Use our $125 vs. Premium Calculator
2. Book Your $125 Visit → Book Now – $25 Off First Visit
3. Bring This Post In Show this blog on your phone — we’ll take $25 off instantly.

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The Bottom Line

2026 is the year insurance broke its promise.Dr. Shaan Kunwar, DO kept ours.

One visit. One price. One doctor who knows your name. $125.

Welcome to healthcare that makes sense. Shaan Kunwar, DO East County Internal Medicine Lakewood Ranch, FL Book Your $125 Visit → eastcountyim.com | Call/Text: (941) 727-7771

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¹ KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey; CMS 2026 Marketplace Premium Projections