There’s a lot of value in seeing your primary care provider (PCP) for an annual physical. But even when everything appears to be normal, a routine checkup may not give you the full picture of your health.
A traditional physical helps identify common risk factors, ensures you’re up to date on recommended screenings and vaccinations, and allows you to discuss health concerns with your physician. Biograph’s Executive Physical builds on that foundation with more extensive diagnostic testing, including advanced imaging, biomarkers, and physical function assessments.
The biggest difference between an executive physical and an annual physical isn’t just the number of tests performed. It’s also how those findings are interpreted in a clinical context and, importantly, used to develop a personalized prevention plan.
At Biograph, we believe understanding your health today is only part of the equation. We also want to identify risks that could affect your healthspan, or the years you spend living in good health.
What’s the difference between Biograph's Executive Physical and an annual physical?
A conventional annual physical focuses on your current health, medical history, established risk factors, and preventive screenings recommended for your age and individual circumstances. Biograph’s executive physical, on the other hand, takes a more comprehensive approach, combining whole-body imaging, cardiovascular assessment, blood biomarkers, and physical performance testing.
For example, routine cholesterol testing can help estimate your cardiovascular risk over the next decade. Additional testing, such as coronary CT angiography (CCTA), which is included in Biograph’s Black membership, can provide a more detailed look at plaque within the coronary arteries, including noncalcified (soft) plaque that may be present well before calcification develops. [1]
Similarly, your weight and body mass index (BMI) offer some information about your health, but a DEXA scan goes further by measuring your body composition, including fat mass, lean tissue, and visceral fat, as well as bone density.
That’s not to say a traditional annual physical doesn’t deserve a place in your preventive health routine. An executive health assessment complements, rather than replaces, the ongoing care you receive from your primary care physician.
What does a standard annual physical include?
An annual physical is an opportunity for your PCP to assess your overall health, review your medical history, and identify risk factors that may warrant further attention. Depending on your age, medical history, and individual risk factors, your visit may include:
Vital signs
Blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and other basic health measurements.
Medical history and lifestyle review
A discussion of your medications, family history, symptoms, exercise habits, diet, and other factors that influence your health.
Routine blood work
Cholesterol and blood glucose testing, when appropriate, to help assess cardiovascular and metabolic risk.
Preventive screenings
Age- and risk-appropriate screening for conditions such as colorectal, breast, or cervical cancer, along with a review of recommended vaccinations.
These assessments can identify certain health risks and diseases before symptoms appear. However, a standard annual physical generally doesn’t include advanced imaging, detailed body composition analysis, or physical performance testing that could provide additional insight into your long-term health.
Limitations of a normal annual physical
Someone may have normal blood pressure and feel physically fit but still have elevated lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a largely inherited cardiovascular risk factor. Another person may maintain a stable weight while gradually losing muscle or accumulating visceral fat.
These changes aren’t often revealed during a conventional physical examination, but more extensive testing can help uncover risks that might otherwise go undetected.
What does insurance cover?
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most non-grandfathered health plans must cover certain preventive services without copays or deductibles when provided in-network. These include eligible screenings recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, including lipid panels and prediabetes testing. [2]
However, routine blood tests such as a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and vitamin D aren’t automatically covered as preventive services. Depending on your insurance plan and why the tests are ordered, you may face out-of-pocket costs.
What is included in Biograph's Executive Physical?
Biograph’s Executive Physical combines several assessments to evaluate your disease risk, body composition, and physical performance. The specific tests depend on your membership tier and individual health needs.
Advanced imaging: Whole-body MRI and cardiac CT
A whole-body MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of internal structures without ionizing radiation. It may reveal abnormalities that aren’t apparent through routine blood work or a physical examination.
However, it doesn’t replace recommended cancer screenings, and there’s currently no evidence that routine whole-body MRI screening extends life expectancy in otherwise healthy adults. [3]
Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) uses CT imaging and contrast dye to visualize the coronary arteries, including calcified and noncalcified plaque that a standard cholesterol panel alone can’t detect. Because CCTA involves radiation and contrast exposure, it isn’t recommended as a routine screening for everyone.
At Biograph, the whole-body MRI is included in both Core and Black memberships, while CCTA is included exclusively in the Black membership.
Comprehensive biomarker testing
Blood work can reveal important information about metabolic health, cardiovascular risk, inflammation, and other physiological processes.
Biograph’s comprehensive blood panel goes beyond a conventional lipid panel by evaluating additional markers selected for their clinical relevance.
For example, apolipoprotein B (ApoB) helps estimate the number of cholesterol-carrying particles associated with atherosclerosis, while Lp(a), can identify an inherited cardiovascular risk factor. Glucose-related measurements, such as HbA1C and fasting insulin, can also provide insight into metabolic health.
The objective isn’t to order an extensive number of tests just because – it’s to order targeted ones that can guide prevention, treatment, or further evaluation.
VO2 max, DEXA, and movement analysis
Not every important health measurement comes from blood work. VO2 max testing measures how much oxygen your body can use during maximal exercise intensity, providing insight into cardiorespiratory fitness, a strong predictor of longevity. Research consistently links higher fitness levels with a lower risk of premature death. [4]
A DEXA scan measures bone density and body composition. These measurements can reveal bone loss and changes in muscle mass that your bathroom scale might miss, which can help guide strategies to reduce fracture risk and preserve physical function as you age.
Biograph also uses DARI 3D motion analysis to assess movement patterns and identify potential areas for improvement.
Executive physical vs. annual physical: A side-by-side comparison
Assessment
Traditional annual physical
Biograph executive physical
Medical history and risk review
Yes
Yes, with comprehensive physician-led evaluation
Blood pressure and basic health measures
Yes
Included in broader clinical assessment
Standard preventive screenings
Recommended based on age and risk
Complements, but doesn’t replace, recommended screening
Comprehensive biomarkers
Varies by physician and indication
Included
Whole-body MRI
No
Included in Core and Black memberships
Coronary CT angiography
Ordered for selected clinical indications
Included in Black membership
DEXA body composition
No
Included
VO2 max testing
No
Included
3D movement analysis
No
Available as part of Biograph’s advanced assessments
Follow-up
Varied by practice
Physician-led results review and ongoing clinical support
Cost
Depends on insurance and services
Core: $7,500; Black: $17,500
Biograph’s exact assessments and follow-up services vary by membership. Advanced imaging may not be appropriate for everyone.
Who should consider an executive physical?
An executive physical may be worth considering if you want a more comprehensive picture of your health, particularly if you’re interested in long-term prevention or have a family history of cardiovascular disease or certain cancers.
It can also appeal to busy professionals who want to complete multiple health assessments in a single, comprehensive visit. For example, someone who exercises regularly and has consistently normal annual physicals might still have elevated Lp(a), low bone density, or lower-than-expected cardiorespiratory fitness. Identifying these issues could help guide more personalized prevention strategies.
But, again, more testing isn’t always better. In some cases, advanced screenings can uncover incidental findings that lead to unnecessary follow-up, costs, or anxiety. That’s why it’s important to understand which tests are appropriate for you and how the results could inform your care.
How Biograph approaches the modern executive physical
At Biograph, we believe an executive physical should do more than provide a lengthy report of test results. The real value lies in understanding what those findings mean for your health and what you can do about them.
Our executive physical is a collaboration of advanced imaging, comprehensive blood work, and physical performance testing in a coordinated, single-day assessment.
Afterward, our physicians review your results, identify areas that deserve attention, and develop personalized recommendations based on your health history, risk factors, and goals. These may include changes to your exercise routine, nutrition, or sleep habits, or additional medical evaluations when appropriate.
Through our Core and Black memberships, members also receive ongoing clinical guidance throughout the year, turning their initial findings into actionable steps toward better long-term health.
The bottom line
An annual physical is an important part of preventive care, but it’s often far from comprehensive. An executive physical goes further, using advanced imaging, biomarkers, and physical performance testing to identify potential risks that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Commonly asked questions about Biograph’s executive physical
What is the Biograph Executive Physical?
Biograph's Executive Physical is a comprehensive health assessment that combines advanced imaging, blood biomarkers, physical performance testing, and physician-led evaluation to identify potential health risks and guide personalized prevention.
What tests are typically performed during Biograph’s Executive Physical?
Depending on your membership level, assessments can include whole-body MRI, comprehensive blood testing, DEXA, VO2 max testing, and additional diagnostics. Black membership also includes coronary CT angiography and expanded testing.
How is Biograph different from a traditional hospital executive physical?
Executive health programs vary by provider. Biograph emphasizes a coordinated assessment, advanced diagnostics, physician-led interpretation, and ongoing clinical support rather than treating the examination as a standalone visit.
How much does a Biograph Executive Physical cost?
Biograph offers two membership options. Core costs $7,500 for the first year, while Black costs $17,500. Both include a comprehensive initial assessment, with Black providing additional diagnostics and expanded follow-up.
Does health insurance cover a Biograph Executive Physical?
Biograph’s Executive Physical is offered through a membership model rather than as a standard insurance-covered annual physical. Some employers may contribute toward executive health benefits. Contact Biograph and your insurer to clarify payment and coverage.
Dr. Michael Doney is Biograph’s Executive Medical Director, with over 20 years of experience leading clinical care and advancing a more proactive, data-driven approach to medicine.
Clinical references
Mohan J, Bhatti K, Tawney A, Zeltser R. Coronary Artery Calcification. StatPearls Publishing; 2020. Accessed July 29, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519037/
HealthCare.gov. Preventive care benefits for adults. HealthCare.gov. 2019. Accessed October 22, 2026. https://www.healthcare.gov/preventive-care-adults/
ACR Statement on Screening Total Body MRI. Acr.org. 2023. Accessed October 22, 2026. https://www.acr.org/News-and-Publications/Media-Center/2023/ACR-Statement-on-Screening-Total-Body-MRI
Imboden MT, Harber MP, Whaley MH, Finch WH, Bishop DL, Kaminsky LA. Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Mortality in Healthy Men and Women. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2018;72(19):2283-2292. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.08.2166
