YEARS Clinic Reviews: Costs, Process & Programs Explained

Anyone searching for “YEARS reviews” is usually already one step further. You know that the standard check-up at your family doctor’s office, which may take place every two years and produce half a dozen lab values, is not what you have in mind. Now you want to know: Does the YEARS clinic in Berlin deliver what it promises? Is the investment worth it? And what does this diagnostic day actually feel like?

Online, you will find press articles, a few individual reviews and the official program pages. What is usually missing is a coherent, honest classification. That is exactly what this article aims to provide.

We are not giving you glossy testimonials here, but a transparent overview: the process, exact program contents of Core®, Evolve® and Ultimate®, honest words about the costs and a summary of what others describe in their reports.

The search for “YEARS reviews”: What you find online and what is missing

A search for “YEARS clinic reviews” usually delivers three types of results.

Review platforms

Platforms such as Trustpilot collect short, personal impressions. Users give stars and describe their satisfaction with service, atmosphere or communication. This gives a first impression, but the context is almost always missing. Did the user book Core® or Ultimate®? What were their expectations? These reviews are snapshots, not a complete picture.

Journalistic experience reports

Several major media outlets have sent journalists to YEARS for a day. These reports describe the process vividly and personally and give a sense of the density of the examinations and the professionalism on site. They are also subjective, often focus only on the Core® program and may be outdated in terms of prices or program contents.

Official YEARS pages

Our own pages, for example on Core® and Evolve®, describe clearly what you get for your money. They are the most reliable source for current contents and prices, but naturally not a critical discussion.

This article combines the facts of our programs with medical background and an external classification.

Process: What a diagnostic day at YEARS feels like

Whether Core®, Evolve® or Ultimate® — the day at YEARS in Berlin-Charlottenburg follows a clear structure. The goal: maximum diagnostic depth with minimal time effort.

Arrival and preparation (approx. 30 minutes)

The day begins in the morning in a calm atmosphere that feels closer to a well-designed lounge than to a classic doctor’s office. No clipboard form at reception, no waiting in the hallway. You are welcomed by your personal Health Concierge, who accompanies you throughout the entire day.

Diagnostic rotation (approx. 6–9 hours, depending on the program)

What follows is a tightly scheduled rotation through different diagnostic rooms. In the fragmented healthcare system, there are often weeks between individual specialist appointments. Here, all examinations take place in one day under one roof. A typical process includes:

Blood draw

The foundation for the comprehensive biomarker analysis, which begins in the background.

Cardiovascular tests

A 12-lead ECG measures heart activity; arterial stiffness and the ankle-brachial index (ABI) provide information about vascular health.

Imaging

Modern ultrasound is used to examine the heart, abdominal organs, thyroid and blood vessels. From Evolve® onward, the whole-body MRI is added.

Performance diagnostics

During the VO₂max measurement (cardiopulmonary exercise testing) on the bicycle ergometer, your maximum oxygen uptake is measured, one of the strongest predictors of cardiovascular health and longevity.

Lung function

Body plethysmography measures lung volumes and airway resistance more precisely than simple spirometry.

Body composition

A 3D body scan and bioelectrical impedance analysis provide detailed data on muscle mass, body fat percentage and its distribution.

Neurocognitive tests

A computer-based test battery assesses memory, cognitive performance and reaction speed.

Additional tests

Depending on the program, AI-assisted skin screening, AI retinal analysis (fundoscopy), hearing and vision tests, bone density measurement and muscle strength analyses are added.

Between stations, there are breaks with healthy snacks and drinks. Anyone wondering why the Concierge support is not a luxury gimmick: on a day like this, several different examination rooms can be on the schedule. Without someone coordinating it, it would simply be chaotic.

Conclusion and outlook

By the end of the day, many data points have been collected. The full analysis, especially of the lab values and imaging, is still ongoing. After about two to three weeks, the medical strategy consultation follows, a one-hour appointment via video or on site, during which a YEARS doctor goes through all results. The goal is not to hand over a report sheet, but to explain connections, prioritize individual risks and develop a concrete plan for the next 12 months.

The YEARS programs in detail: Core®, Evolve® or Ultimate®?

Choosing the right program depends on your personal situation, goals and budget.

YEARS Core® – The comprehensive baseline

Cost: €1,900

Duration: approx. 6 hours

For whom: For anyone who wants a scientifically grounded health assessment that goes far beyond the standard check-up. A meaningful entry point into preventive medicine.

What is included:

Core® creates a dense data basis that a family doctor appointment cannot provide.

Lab (87 lab markers)

Includes all important baseline markers plus key longevity markers such as ApoB and Lp(a) (heart risk), HOMA index (insulin resistance), hs-CRP (silent inflammation) and vitamin D3.

Cardiovascular

12-lead ECG, arterial stiffness.

Imaging

Expanded ultrasound (heart, abdomen, thyroid, vessels). Core® already includes this comprehensive imaging. The whole-body MRI is reserved for Evolve® and Ultimate®.

Performance & body

VO₂max (cardiopulmonary exercise testing), 3D body scan, bioelectrical impedance analysis, strength and balance tests.

Special diagnostics

AI skin screening, AI fundoscopy (eye), body plethysmography (lung), bone density measurement, neurocognitive tests, audiometry.

Service

A 60+ page Health Report and the medical strategy consultation.

More details on the YEARS Core® program

YEARS Evolve® – The detailed view with MRI and cancer early detection

Cost: €7,600

Duration: approx. 9 hours

For whom: For people who want to look at their health in more detail. Especially relevant for those with family risk factors or data-driven people from around 40.

This is included in addition to Core®:

Evolve® builds on Core® and adds three essential technologies.

Expanded lab (120+ biomarkers)

In addition to the Core® markers, important hormones such as testosterone, DHEA-S and cortisol are added, as well as expanded cardiovascular markers (e.g. oxidized LDL, Lp-PLA2) and metabolic markers.

Whole-body MRI

Radiation-free imaging from head to pelvis in one session. The YEARS protocol can provide high-resolution, radiation-free images of organs and tissues and give indications of structural abnormalities such as tumors, aneurysms, fatty liver or vascular abnormalities. At the same time, a whole-body MRI can also reveal incidental findings that need to be carefully interpreted by a doctor. That is why YEARS uses it in a research-oriented context and does not treat it as a simple guarantee for cancer early detection.

Liquid Biopsy (TruCheck)

A non-invasive blood test that can provide indications of circulating tumor cells in more than 70 solid tumor types. The classification is important: multi-cancer early detection tests are promising, but in asymptomatic people they are not yet a replacement for established cancer screening. YEARS therefore uses the Liquid Biopsy deliberately as a research-oriented, complementary procedure that must be interpreted medically and, in the case of abnormal results, clarified according to guidelines.

Biological age & biobank

Evolve® measures biological age using 7 epigenetic clocks. 70 samples (blood, stool, urine) are cryopreserved to make them available for future diagnostic possibilities.

Expanded service

Additional coaching sessions and medical check-ins.

YEARS Ultimate® – The peak of personalized medicine

Cost: €16,900

Duration: approx. 9 hours

For whom: For people who are looking for the maximum possible diagnostic detail and personal support: longevity enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and anyone who treats their health as an N=1 research project.

This is included in addition to Evolve®:

Ultimate lab (230+ biomarkers)

Adds detailed immune profiles, autoimmune markers, amino acid profiles and experimental longevity markers to the Evolve® analysis.

Medical genetics

Complete sequencing of exome and genome (whole-exome & whole-genome sequencing). More than 170 risk genes for cancer and cardiovascular diseases are analyzed, as well as the genetic response to more than 150 medications (pharmacogenetics).

Microbiomics & epigenomics

A detailed analysis of the gut flora (bacteria and fungi) and expanded epigenetic analyses provide information about the interaction between genes, environment and lifestyle.

Intensive coaching

Monthly 1:1 coaching for nutrition, training, sleep and stress management, 3 medical check-ins per year and ongoing digital monitoring.

More details on the YEARS Ultimate® program

Program comparison at a glance

Costs, private insurance reimbursement and the question: “Is it worth it?”

The prices are transparent: €1,900 for Core®, €7,600 for Evolve® and €16,900 for Ultimate®. Anyone with private insurance rightly asks what part of this will be reimbursed.

YEARS is a private clinic. All medical services are billed according to the German Medical Fee Schedule (GOÄ), which is the prerequisite for submission to private health insurance.

Important points on private insurance reimbursement:

Reimbursement cannot be guaranteed. The amount depends entirely on the individual private insurance tariff.

Insurance companies usually reimburse services with medical necessity. Within YEARS diagnostics, medically relevant findings are often collected, such as previously undetected insulin resistance, vitamin deficiencies, elevated risk markers such as Lp(a) or structural abnormalities in ultrasound. Such findings can be relevant for medical classification in individual cases. Whether and to what extent private insurance reimburses depends on the individual tariff, medical necessity, the specific GOÄ invoice and the review by the insurance company. Reimbursement therefore cannot be promised.

Whether the expense is worth it is a personal question. From a medical perspective, it can be phrased more cautiously: for established, modifiable risk factors such as elevated ApoB, Lp(a), insulin resistance, hypertension, low cardiorespiratory fitness or relevant deficiencies, early detection can help people act in a more targeted way. At the same time, every additional examination is not automatically useful; benefit, incidental findings, follow-up clarification and the personal risk situation must be weighed medically.

The medical classification: Prevention with perspective

A frequently cited meta-analysis by Krogsbøll et al. (BMJ, 2012) showed that general, non-specific health checks in the general population do not significantly reduce mortality. This is a valid objection. The YEARS approach differs from such a generic check-up in several ways:

Specifically relevant markers

ApoB is a precise marker for the number of atherogenic lipoprotein particles and, in certain situations, can reflect cardiovascular risk better than LDL cholesterol alone. Lp(a) is a strong, genetically determined risk factor that is elevated in about 20% of the population and is not routinely measured in statutory health insurance check-ups. VO₂max is one of the strongest individual predictors of all-cause mortality that we know.

Systemic view

Individual values rarely tell the whole story. Slightly elevated inflammation (hs-CRP) together with insulin resistance (HOMA index) and high ApoB paints a different risk picture than each of these values viewed in isolation.

Early intervention

Insulin resistance is not yet a disease, but an important risk factor for type 2 diabetes. At this stage, it can often be significantly improved through lifestyle changes. Years later, this can become more difficult.

Handling incidental findings

Detailed diagnostics, especially via whole-body MRI, occasionally reveal incidental findings. The medical strategy consultation is central for exactly this. A small kidney cyst is usually harmless. An unclear finding is not ignored, but directed into a guideline-based clarification process, with clear communication about what the next step is and why.

YEARS does not sell life extension. We sell data, medical interpretation and an actionable plan.

Frequently asked questions about YEARS reviews

1. Is a health check at YEARS really worth it?

For people who are ready to actively invest in their health and make data-based decisions, the answer from our clients is usually: yes. You get a diagnostic level and a medical strategy that are not available like this in the standard system. Anyone looking for a passive examination is in the wrong place here. Anyone looking for a starting point for active health management is in the right place.

2. Is YEARS reputable?

YEARS is a doctor-led private clinic. Medical Director Dr. Jan K. Hennigs is a specialist physician and has conducted research at Stanford University, among other places. The medical interpretation, assessment of findings and follow-up clarification are oriented toward medical guidelines and scientific evidence. Individual innovative procedures, such as Liquid Biopsy or whole-body MRI in asymptomatic people, are deliberately classified cautiously and as research-oriented. The cancer diagnostics partner Datar Cancer Genetics (for TruCheck) is a specialized laboratory with many years of clinical experience.

3. Who is YEARS suitable for — and who is it not suitable for?

YEARS is aimed at proactive, health-conscious people, often from around 30 or 40, with family risk factors or the desire to better understand their own body. Anyone who wants to have an acute illness treated or get a second opinion on a known diagnosis is not in the right place at YEARS. The focus is on prevention and early detection in asymptomatic people.

4. What happens if something serious is found?

The goal is clarity, not panic. If an actionable finding appears, our doctors actively support the next step. They explain what the finding means and can refer you to leading specialists in the relevant specialty.

Your path to an informed decision

The decision to book a diagnostic day at YEARS is more than a price comparison. It is a decision about the importance you give to your long-term health.

The YEARS reviews available online paint a consistent picture: highly professional, efficient diagnostics in a pleasant atmosphere, paired with medical depth that is missing in the standard system. At the same time, they show the limits of individual perspectives, because no experience report can cover all three programs.

This article gives you a factual basis. No miracles, but science. No guarantees, but data. No vague “keep going as before”, but a concrete, personalized plan based on a very comprehensive health picture.

Sources

Krogsbøll, L. T., Jørgensen, K. J., Larsen, C. G., & Gøtzsche, P. C. (2012). General health checks in adults for reducing morbidity and mortality from disease: Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 345, e7191. doi:10.1136/bmj.e7191

Ridker, P. M., Danielson, E., Fonseca, F. A., Genest, J., Gotto, A. M., Jr, Kastelein, J. J., ... & JUPITER Study Group. (2008). Rosuvastatin to prevent vascular events in men and women with elevated C-reactive protein. The New England Journal of Medicine, 359(21), 2195–2207. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0807646

Knowler, W. C., Barrett-Connor, E., Fowler, S. E., Hamman, R. F., Lachin, J. M., Walker, E. A., Nathan, D. M., & Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. (2002). Reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin. The New England Journal of Medicine, 346(6), 393–403. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa012512

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

Kronenberg, F., Mora, S., Stroes, E. S. G., Ference, B. A., Arsenault, B. J., Berglund, L., Dweck, M. R., Koschinsky, M. L., Lambert, G., Mach, F., McNeal, C. J., Moriarty, P. M., Natarajan, P., Nordestgaard, B. G., Parhofer, K. G., Virani, S. S., von Eckardstein, A., Watts, G. F., Stock, J. K., Ray, K. K., ... Catapano, A. L. (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

Mach, F., Baigent, C., Catapano, A. L., Koskinas, K. C., Casula, M., Badimon, L., Chapman, M. J., De Backer, G. G., Delgado, V., Ference, B. A., Graham, I. M., Halliday, A., Landmesser, U., Mihaylova, B., Pedersen, T. R., Riccardi, G., Richter, D. J., Sabatine, M. S., Taskinen, M. R., Tokgozoglu, L., ... ESC Scientific Document Group. (2020). 2019 ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias: Lipid modification to reduce cardiovascular risk. European Heart Journal, 41(1), 111–188. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehz455