Come see me in clinic: https://www.sacomplete.com/

Stay connected & explore more:

Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.sacomplete.com/complete-medicine-blog

Listen to my podcast Endocrine Matters: https://www.sacomplete.com/podcast

When Your Premium Jumps 500%: Why Insurance Is Exploding — and the Alternatives No One Is Telling You About

Welcome back to Endocrine Matters. I’m Dr. Arti Thangudu, a board-certified endocrinologist, diabetes and metabolism specialist, lifestyle medicine physician, and founder of Complete Medicine — where I help high-achieving women take control of their metabolic health through personalized, compassionate, and evidence-based care.

In this episode, I’m speaking not just as a physician — but as a small-business owner, employer, and patient — about something that’s terrifying so many right now: skyrocketing health insurance premiums.

Many Americans are seeing their premiums jump 40%, 50%, even 500% as enhanced ACA subsidies expire — leaving individuals and small business owners facing impossible choices.

In this episode, we’ll unpack:

• Why premiums are exploding and who’s being hit hardest
• Where your premium dollars actually go — and why so little reaches real care
• What alternatives exist that can help you protect yourself, your family, and your employees, including:
• • Medical cost sharing (like Sedera) for catastrophic events
• • Direct care and transparent cash pricing for day-to-day healthcare
• • Self-funding strategies for employers that put money back into care — not profits

My goal isn’t to make you an insurance expert — it’s to help you see that you are not powerless. There are real, practical alternatives to the traditional insurance system, and with a little knowledge and courage, you can make them work for you.

Topics Covered:

Introduction: Why insurance costs are exploding

Where your premium dollars really go

How this crisis impacts small businesses and the self-employed

Alternatives: cost sharing, direct care, and self-funding

Becoming a better steward of your healthcare dollars

If you’ve ever opened your renewal and felt your stomach drop — this episode is for you.

You are not crazy. You are not alone. And this is not your fault.

About Dr. Arti Thangudu

Dr. Arti Thangudu is a triple board-certified endocrinologist, diabetes and metabolism specialist, lifestyle medicine physician, and North American Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. She’s the founder of Complete Medicine, a direct specialty care clinic in San Antonio, Texas, where she helps women thrive with metabolic health, hormonal balance, and personalized, compassionate care.