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, FL
Published: November 1, 2025
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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
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.
Your 3-Step Escape Plan (Start Today)
- Calculate Your Savings
→ Use our $125 vs. Premium Calculator - Book Your $125 Visit
→ Book Now – $25 Off First Visit - Bring This Post In
Show this blog on your phone — we’ll take $25 off instantly.
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
1 KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey; CMS 2026 Marketplace Premium Projections