Helios Clinic vs YEARS: Which Health Check is Right for You?

Helios Clinic vs. YEARS: Two Different Approaches to Preventive Health

You are making a decision about your health: a preventive examination at a Helios clinic or specialized preventive diagnostics at YEARS. People who search for both names are usually not looking for emergency care. They are proactive. They want to know where they stand before symptoms or disease develop.

The market for preventive health services in Berlin can be confusing. On one side, there is Helios as an established hospital group. On the other side, there is YEARS as a specialized longevity clinic. At first glance, the offerings may appear similar, but the medical focus, diagnostic scope, and process differ significantly.

This article is intended as a decision aid. We compare Helios Clinic vs. YEARS in a factual way so you can make an informed choice. When is a large hospital the right place to go? When can a specialized preventive medicine center like YEARS be useful?

Why Many People in Berlin Research Helios and YEARS at the Same Time

People who search for “Helios” and “YEARS” together often share a similar profile: between 35 and 60 years old, privately insured or willing to invest in their own health as self-paying clients. They often have no acute symptoms, but they want to identify potential risks early.

The key question is: Is a classic check-up in the hospital or specialist care system enough, or is a broader, data-based preventive medicine approach more suitable?

The answer depends on your goal.

Helios Clinic at a Glance: Strengths and Focus

Helios is one of the largest private hospital operators in Europe and belongs to the healthcare group Fresenius. In Germany, Helios operates more than 80 hospitals as well as numerous outpatient care centers, including Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch. Its core competence clearly lies in acute care, standard care, specialized diagnostics, and treatment of disease.

Preventive Services at Helios

Helios also offers preventive services, broadly divided into two categories:

Check-up 35: The statutory preventive health examination covered by German statutory health insurance every three years from the age of 35. It includes, among other things, medical history, physical examination, blood pressure measurement, laboratory values such as lipid profile and fasting plasma glucose, urine analysis, and counseling.

Individual health services (IGeL): Additional self-pay examinations, for example extended blood tests, ultrasound, exercise ECG, or further specialist examinations, depending on the individual question.

The Strengths of Helios in Preventive Care

The greatest strength lies in direct access to clinical care. If a medically relevant finding is detected during a preventive examination, such as an abnormal cardiac finding, a suspicious mass, or a result requiring further assessment, referral to the relevant department or a specialist in the network can follow. The infrastructure for diagnostics and further treatment is already in place.

The Limits in Preventive Care

The hospital model is primarily designed for the assessment and treatment of disease. For healthy, asymptomatic people, prevention often takes place in a modular way: an ultrasound with an internist, an exercise ECG with a cardiologist, laboratory testing through a general practitioner or specialist. This can be medically useful, but it is not always organized as one integrated diagnostic day with one unified interpretation.

Prevention is therefore possible, but it follows a different process than a specialized, standardized preventive program. Ongoing hospital operations can also mean that examinations are spread across several appointments.

Conclusion on Helios: If symptoms are present, a disease has been diagnosed, or a specific suspicion needs to be clarified, Helios is a natural address. For broad preventive diagnostics in healthy people, however, the model follows a different approach than a specialized longevity center.

YEARS at a Glance: Longevity Medicine and Systematic Prevention

YEARS is not an acute care hospital. As a specialized longevity clinic in Berlin-Charlottenburg (Joachimsthaler Str. 34), the focus is on identifying and interpreting health risks before they become manifest disease. YEARS does not treat acute cases.

The philosophy follows the “Clinic-as-a-Study” approach. Clients can contribute anonymized data to improve the understanding of healthy aging. Medical Director Dr. med. Jan K. Hennigs, former Stanford Research Fellow with more than 120 publications, is responsible for the scientific direction. YEARS is backed by Apollo Health Ventures, a fund focused on longevity and biotechnology.

The YEARS Programs

Diagnostics take place in a single day. Three core programs are available:

YEARS Core® (€1,900 | 6 hours): The entry point into data-based prevention. 87+ biomarkers, ultrasound imaging, body plethysmography, VO₂max measurement, and AI-supported skin screening.

YEARS Evolve® (€7,600 | 9 hours): Adds, among other things, whole-body MRI, an additional multi-cancer early detection blood test, biological aging markers, and sample storage in a biobank.

YEARS Ultimate® (€16,900 | 9 hours): Adds genome and exome sequencing, microbiome analysis, and additional immunological markers.

After your diagnostic day, you receive a personalized health report of more than 60 pages. In a strategy consultation, a physician from the team discusses the results with you and develops a concrete plan for the next 12 months. Billing is based on the German medical fee schedule (GOÄ). Reimbursement through private health insurance, Beihilfe, or occupational health insurance may be possible depending on tariff, medical indication, and individual case review. Full or partial reimbursement is not guaranteed.

Conclusion on YEARS: YEARS is designed for healthy, proactive people who want to better understand and manage their healthspan. YEARS does not replace a general practitioner or hospital. It provides a structured data basis for prevention, risk assessment, and further medical decisions.

Direct Comparison: Helios Clinic vs. YEARS at a Glance

The decision between Helios and YEARS is not a question of good or bad. It is a question of fit.

Who Should Go to Helios, and Who Should Choose YEARS?

Go to Helios if...

You have concrete symptoms: Chest pain, unexplained weight loss, neurological deficits, shortness of breath, or severe acute complaints require immediate clinical assessment.

You already have a diagnosis: If you have an existing condition such as cancer, heart disease, neurological disease, or a chronic internal medicine condition, you need specialized treatment and follow-up.

You have a referral from a physician: If your general practitioner or specialist suspects a specific condition and refers you to a clinic for assessment, for example for MRI, CT, endoscopy, or specialist diagnostics.

It is an emergency: A hospital with an emergency department is the right place for acute, potentially dangerous symptoms.

Choose YEARS if...

You are healthy and want to stay that way: You have no acute symptoms, but you want to know which risks may be building up and how to classify them early.

You want a comprehensive, data-based baseline: You want to understand your body as a system, from blood lipids and metabolism to organ function, cognitive performance, and physical performance.

You are an executive or self-employed person who wants to protect performance: A complete picture in one day can be useful if you have limited time and do not want to coordinate examinations over several weeks.

You have a family history: Heart disease, diabetes, stroke, or cancer in the family can be a reason for a more comprehensive risk assessment than a standard check-up.

You want to invest in your healthspan based on evidence: Decisions should be based on measurable data, medical interpretation, and a prioritized plan.

The two systems do not exclude each other. YEARS can create a data basis that shows whether further assessment by a specialist is useful. If symptoms, abnormal findings, or an existing diagnosis are already present, a hospital or specialist center such as Helios may be the more suitable next step.

What YEARS Diagnostics Specifically Include

To make the difference tangible: A 45-year-old client without symptoms who comes into the Core® Program leaves the clinic after six hours with values for 87 biomarkers, ultrasound findings, a lung function protocol, and a VO₂max measurement. This differs substantially in scope from a classic statutory check-up, which is more focused on basic risks and manifest disease.

Some components in detail:

87+ biomarkers: Not just total cholesterol, but also ApoB and Lp(a). ApoB reflects the number of atherogenic particles and can complement cardiovascular risk assessment. Lp(a) is a largely genetically determined risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and aortic valve stenosis. The European Atherosclerosis Society recommends stronger consideration of Lp(a) in risk assessment (Kronenberg et al., European Heart Journal 2022).

Metabolic analysis: Instead of fasting glucose alone, YEARS diagnostics include, among other things, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the HOMA Index. This can make signs of insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction visible earlier than fasting glucose alone.

Inflammation markers: High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) can provide information about low-grade inflammatory processes. However, the marker is non-specific and must be interpreted in the context of infections, training, body fat, metabolic values, and changes over time.

Lung function: Compared with simple spirometry, body plethysmography measures additional parameters such as lung volumes and airway resistance. This can provide a more differentiated picture of lung function.

Performance diagnostics: VO₂max measurement is an important marker of cardiorespiratory fitness. Extensive long-term data show that higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with lower all-cause mortality (Mandsager et al., JAMA Network Open 2018).

Imaging in Core®: Ultrasound of the heart, abdominal organs, thyroid, and blood vessels is included as standard.

AI-supported diagnostics: Automated skin screening with the ATBM Master can support systematic documentation and medical assessment of skin changes. The final medical evaluation is performed by a physician. AI-supported funduscopy analyzes the retina for possible signs of vascular or other systemic changes.

The YEARS Evolve® Program Goes Further

Whole-body MRI: An examination from head to pelvis using a structured protocol for systematic imaging. The potential value, limitations, incidental findings, and possible follow-up diagnostics must be interpreted medically.

Liquid Biopsy / Multi-Cancer Early Detection Test: An additional blood test that may provide signals related to certain tumor-associated patterns. The test does not replace guideline-based cancer screening such as colonoscopy, mammography, skin screening, or gynecological/urological preventive care. A negative result does not safely rule out cancer; positive or unclear results must be medically clarified. Evidence on the impact of such tests on cancer mortality and long-term clinical outcomes is still developing.

Biobank: YEARS cryopreserves 70 blood, stool, and urine samples. If a new biomarker becomes clinically relevant in the future, later analysis of stored samples may be possible.

Extended hormones: Testosterone, DHEA-S, and cortisol can provide information about hormonal status. These values must always be assessed in the context of age, symptoms, time of day, sleep, stress, medication, and clinical situation.

This diagnostic scope is usually not available in the classic hospital system as a standardized one-day check-up for healthy people.

Costs and Private Insurance Reimbursement

Preventive diagnostics at this level are generally not covered by statutory health insurance.

YEARS costs: Fixed self-pay prices: Core® for €1,900, Evolve® for €7,600, and Ultimate® for €16,900.

YEARS and private health insurance: Medical services are billed according to the German medical fee schedule (GOÄ). You can submit the invoice to your private health insurance provider. Whether and to what extent costs are reimbursed depends on the individual tariff, medical indication, and case-by-case review by the insurer. Full or partial reimbursement cannot be guaranteed. If needed, clarify this with your insurer in advance. More details can be found in our FAQ.

Helios costs: Check-up 35 is free for people insured by statutory health insurance, provided the requirements are met. Additional IGeL services and private medical diagnostics are billed depending on scope. For privately insured patients, billing also depends on indication, tariff, and individual case review. For concrete prices, a direct inquiry with the relevant Helios location is useful.

Helios or YEARS: What You Are Deciding Between

Helios stands for clinical care, specialist assessment, and treatment of disease. The system is especially strong when symptoms, specific suspected diagnoses, or findings requiring treatment are present.

YEARS is focused on structured preventive diagnostics for healthy or mostly healthy people. The goal is to make risks, functional weaknesses, and unfavorable trends visible early and translate them into a prioritized action plan.

If you are symptom-free and want to act proactively, you may need something different from classic acute care or specialist clinic structures. If you have symptoms or already have a diagnosis, medical assessment and treatment should not be replaced by a longevity check-up.

Next Step

If you want to put your health on a broader data basis, you can check which model fits your situation.

Schedule a non-binding consultation.

View the YEARS Core® Program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does Helios Clinic Offer a Comprehensive Longevity Check-up?

Helios offers statutory preventive care, specialist diagnostics, and private medical add-on services. Based on publicly available information, however, a standardized one-day longevity program does not appear to be the main focus: one that combines biomarkers, imaging, functional tests, omics technologies, and biobanking in one integrated format.

Can I Bill YEARS Through My Private Health Insurance?

Reimbursement may be possible. YEARS bills medical services according to GOÄ. You receive a detailed invoice that you can submit to your private health insurance provider. The reimbursement amount depends on your tariff, the medical indication, and individual case review. Cost coverage is not guaranteed.

What Distinguishes YEARS Core® From a Normal Check-up at a General Practitioner or Clinic?

The difference lies in scope, standardization, and integration. A classic statutory check-up includes basic examinations such as medical history, physical examination, blood pressure, lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose, urine analysis, and counseling. YEARS Core® analyzes more than 87 markers, including ApoB, Lp(a), and the HOMA Index, and combines these data in one day with ultrasound imaging, AI-supported diagnostics, body plethysmography, and VO₂max measurement.

Do Helios and YEARS Exclude Each Other?

No. YEARS can provide proactive preventive diagnostics for healthy people. If a finding is detected that requires specific treatment or further assessment, a specialist in a hospital such as Helios can be the right next step. YEARS provides a structured data basis; classic medicine provides diagnostics, follow-up, and treatment when needed.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information and orientation only. It does not replace individual medical advice. If you have acute complaints or symptoms, you should immediately contact a physician, the medical on-call service, or a hospital. Information about Helios is based on publicly available information. Information about YEARS is based on publicly communicated program information and internal service descriptions. Additional medical diagnostics such as whole-body MRI, multi-cancer early detection tests, genomics, epigenetics, or biobanking should always be interpreted medically in the context of benefits, limitations, validity, and possible follow-up diagnostics.

Sources

Kronenberg, F., Mora, S., Stroes, E. S., Ference, B. A., Arsenault, B. J., Berglund, L., ... & Nordestgaard, B. G. (2022). Lipoprotein(a) in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and aortic stenosis: a European Atherosclerosis Society consensus statement. European Heart Journal, 43(39), 3925–3946. DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac361

Mandsager, K., Harb, S., Cremer, P., Phelan, D., Nissen, S. E., & Jaber, W. (2018). Association of Cardiorespiratory Fitness With Long-term Mortality Among Adults Undergoing Exercise Treadmill Testing. JAMA Network Open, 1(6), e183605. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3605

Handa, K., et al. (2020). A simple, precise, and accurate multiplex method for detection of circulating tumor cells in patients with epithelial cancers. Clinical Chemistry, 66(12), 1516–1526.

National Cancer Institute. Questions and Answers about Multi-Cancer Detection Tests. Cancer Prevention. Accessed June 2026.

Bundesministerium für Gesundheit. Gesundheitsuntersuchung / Check-up ab 35. Accessed June 2026.

Helios. Company and healthcare services information. Public company information. Accessed June 2026.

Information about the ATBM Master skin screening is based on manufacturer information and should be understood in the clinical context as support for medical assessment.