Hi, this is Dr. Michael Cheikin. Happy Holidays.  This important message is about changes to my practice beginning January 1, 2026.

At the Center for Optimal Health. we believe that our highest priority is our mental, physical and spiritual health, and if not for us, then certainly for our threatened children. We adults must change if we want to protect our childrens’ brains, bodies and spirits.  We must put on our own oxygen mask before we can help the child sitting next to us.   If you agree, then you are the right person for the Holistic approach. 

For most of my life, I have been extensively and passionately exploring brain sciences, consciousness, yoga and energy medicine. Following the bread crumbs for optimal brain function led me to conclude that the highest priorities for modern brain health are deficiencies and toxicities; and in my Holistic Model, infections and microbiome imbalances are toxins that are living and very smart. This quest for optimal   brain health has led to my extensive and continuing work with iodine, niacin, lithium and other trace minerals, dmso, chlorine dioxide, oral and skull health and essential processes such as measurement, nebulization, detoxification, yoga, breathwork, hypnosis, acupuncture, ayurveda, and others. We have a growing success applying these methods to healing some of the deepest chronic conditions, starting with chronic pain and fatigue. and now expanding to conditions such as hormones, colitis, diabetes, anxiety and depression   and cancer. This is what I want to do more of with you. Even in the Holistic world, quick-fixes such as stem cells, peptides, biohacking, infusions and other magic bullets such as GLP drugs are the money-makers. Health insurance and illness has become, by design, a dominant economic force and major distraction. 

For the entire 45 years of my medical career, I have participated in most insurance plans because it made my care accessible to patients with chronic and complex medical conditions. Unfortunately, health insurance contracts now specify what the physician must charge, how long a visit can last, and even the content of the visit. With rising high-deductible plans, we are often required to charge more than if you paid privately, similar to why GoodRx can provide drugs at costs better than many insurance plans. Being sick is getting progressively more expensive, while healing and how to get off this merry-go-round remains hidden and a represents danger to our economy.

In addition, processing these horrible insurance bills is causing increased anxiety, cost and frustration for my patients and staff. For these reasons, I have concluded that we can do better working outside of this progressively dysfunctional system.

Starting January 1, my practice will be out-of-network for all insurance plans. We will be offering a variety of a-la-carte and 2-3 visit packages for those who have focused needs, and, for our complex patients, a Holistic Program Plan that will include visits, phone support, supplements, prescriptions, lab testing and other valuable Holistic resources .

For existing patients, the fee for the first visit of 2026 will be $175 in total, incorporating what used to be the Holistic Fee. This total is less that what we have averaged in 2025 but will allow us to meet and formulate your individual Holistic Health Plan for 2026.  For those with documented hardship, there will be the options of sliding scale or a grant for supplements that we can work out on an individual basis. Even without participating in Medicare, the Federal government will require us to complete a Care Contract, which we will reviewing in your first visit of 2026.

Your Holistic Health Plan will include: education, sleep, food, supplements, stress-reduction, medication reduction, exercise, testing and detox strategies and support, that, at the root cause level, can optimize healing and regeneration until the age of 100.

Being able to do this with you has been my dream since before I became a doctor. No one likes change but I believe that this change will provide more time, concentration, and funds for True Healing and Health. We hope that you will continue to work with us in evolving this dream for True Health in 2026. Thank you for your continued support and best wishes for a Healthy Holiday.