YEARS vs Circle Health: Which Clinic is Right for You?

You are looking for a comprehensive health check-up in Berlin and come across two names: YEARS and Circle Health. Both promise proactive preventive healthcare, but they follow fundamentally different approaches. Which one suits you ultimately depends on what you expect from your healthcare.

Do you want to know which measurable risk factors such as ApoB and Lp(a) influence your long-term cardiovascular risk? Then that is a different question from: How can I feel better in everyday life, stabilize my gut and reduce stress? Both questions are legitimate. But they require different answers.

This article compares both concepts objectively so you can decide which one fits your situation.

Two providers, two philosophies

At first glance, both providers may appear similar. Their fundamental orientation, however, clearly separates them.

YEARS is a physician-led longevity clinic in Berlin-Charlottenburg. Medical care is provided by recognized medical specialists and follows a strictly scientific and clinical approach. The goal: to create a highly precise snapshot of the body using standardized diagnostics and identify health risks before the first symptoms appear. The “Clinic-as-a-Study” model ensures that all data is collected in a standardized way and remains usable for longevity research.

Circle Health is a German health center with locations in Berlin and Munich. The concept combines conventional medical and complementary approaches. The focus is on subjective well-being, integrating health into everyday life and addressing diffuse complaints using a broad range of methods.

In short: YEARS measures what is happening biologically in your body. Circle Health supports you with how you feel and function in everyday life.

Service comparison: What do you actually get?

The clearest difference can be seen in the actual scope. YEARS focuses on maximum diagnostic depth within a single day; Circle Health offers topic-specific checks and individual therapies.

YEARS Core® (€1,900) takes around six hours and includes:

• Laboratory panel: Analysis of 87 biomarkers, including HOMA index, ApoB, Lp(a), hs-CRP, Omega-3 Index, vitamin D3 and ferritin, as well as a complete blood count, thyroid hormones, liver and kidney markers, lipid metabolism and glucose metabolism.
• Functional diagnostics: Body plethysmography to measure lung volumes, VO₂max testing (cardiopulmonary exercise testing) to determine cardiorespiratory fitness, a neurocognitive test battery, bone density measurement and muscle strength testing.
• Imaging: Extended ultrasound of the heart, abdominal organs, thyroid and blood vessels.
• AI-assisted diagnostics: AI fundus imaging for retinal analysis and AI-assisted skin cancer screening using the FotoFinder ATBM Master.
• Medical interpretation: A 60+ page Health Report and a detailed strategy consultation with a YEARS physician approximately two weeks after the visit.

YEARS Evolve® (€7,600) adds:

• Whole-body MRI: A proprietary, radiation-free MRI sequence that detects structural abnormalities from head to toe.
• Liquid Biopsy: Multi-cancer screening (truCheck) that looks for circulating tumor cells in the blood.
• Extended laboratory panel: More than 120 biomarkers, including testosterone, DHEA-S and cortisol.
• Biobank: Cryopreservation of 70 samples (blood, stool, urine) for future analyses.

Circle Health offers topic-specific Health Checks, typically priced between €399 and €499. A consultation is combined with basic laboratory diagnostics around topics such as gut health, stress or hormone balance. Additional integrative therapies can be booked, including infusions, intermittent hypoxic-hyperoxic training (IHHT) or colon hydrotherapy.

Comparison table

Services provided by non-medical practitioners follow different standards than physician-led diagnostics based on medical guidelines. This can make them useful for certain concerns, but they do not replace clinical risk assessment.

Diagnostic depth in detail

What sounds like a simple “blood test” can differ considerably in terms of content.

The biomarker philosophy at YEARS

The Core® program analyzes 87 biomarkers that have been selected specifically for their clinical relevance:

• ApoB (Apolipoprotein B): Can reflect atherogenic particle-related risk more precisely than LDL cholesterol because it captures the number of atherogenic particles rather than only their cholesterol content.
• Lp(a) (Lipoprotein(a)): A predominantly genetically determined, independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease that is often not included in routine lipid testing.
• HOMA index: A surrogate marker calculated from fasting glucose and fasting insulin that can provide indications of reduced insulin sensitivity, even when fasting glucose is still within the normal range.
• hs-CRP: A sensitive, non-specific marker of systemic inflammatory activity that can provide additional information about cardiovascular risk, among other things.
• Omega-3 Index: The proportion of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA within erythrocyte membrane fatty acids. It reflects longer-term EPA and DHA status and has been associated with cardiovascular outcomes in observational studies.

Functional diagnostics

YEARS measures more than blood values; it also assesses physical function:

• Body plethysmography: The whole-body chamber measures total lung volume, airway resistance and pulmonary hyperinflation, providing a substantially more detailed picture than basic spirometry.
• VO₂max testing: Maximum oxygen uptake during exercise is considered one of the strongest individual predictors of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality (Kodama et al., JAMA 2009). A low value is an independent risk factor, irrespective of other laboratory values.
• AI-assisted diagnostics: The FotoFinder ATBM Master maps all moles across the body and analyzes suspicious lesions using AI. AI fundus imaging examines retinal blood vessels for signs associated with high blood pressure or diabetes.

Diagnostics at Circle Health

Here, the holistic medical history is the primary focus. The consultation covers lifestyle, nutrition, stress and psychological well-being. Depending on the topic, laboratory diagnostics include assessments related to gut health, stress, hormones and metabolism.

The key difference lies in interpretation: A YEARS physician evaluates findings according to clinical guidelines in order to quantify disease risks. Complementary approaches may also interpret values in the context of “imbalances” or functional disorders that are not classified as diseases by conventional medicine.

Longevity medicine vs. holistic health

The holistic approach practiced by Circle Health aims to improve subjective well-being and activate the body’s own resources. It is often reactive to mild complaints such as fatigue or digestive problems, or preventive in the sense of general strengthening. Nutrition, herbal medicine, manual therapies and relaxation techniques form the methodological foundation.

Longevity medicine, as practiced by YEARS, is data-driven, proactive and quantitative. Its aim is to measurably extend healthspan, meaning the period of healthy and functional life. To do this, it measures biological aging processes and risk drivers at molecular and functional levels long before symptoms occur. The Clinic-as-a-Study model, supported by investors such as Apollo Health Ventures, goes one step further: Each dataset contributes to improving our understanding of aging processes.

One concrete example is biological clocks, which are used in the YEARS Ultimate® program. Epigenetic algorithms analyze DNA methylation patterns and provide estimates of different aspects of biological aging. They are scientifically interesting biomarkers, but their individual clinical significance remains limited. Changes in such a value cannot currently be directly equated with changes in disease risk or life expectancy.

The two approaches are not mutually exclusive. YEARS provides the data-based baseline assessment. Circle Health can be a useful form of ongoing support for implementing the resulting lifestyle recommendations in everyday life.

Who is each provider suitable for?

YEARS may suit you if you…

• … want to know how healthy you are biologically, regardless of how you subjectively feel.
• … are an executive or entrepreneur who also wants to make data-based decisions about your own health.
• … have a family history of conditions such as heart attacks or cancer and are looking for comprehensive physician-led early detection.
• … want to build your health strategy around validated biomarkers rather than trend-driven methods.
• … have private health insurance and are seeking comprehensive diagnostics with potential reimbursement, such as the Manager Check-up at YEARS.

Circle Health may suit you if you…

• … prefer a holistic and intuitive approach to your health.
• … are looking for personal, continuous support using integrative approaches.
• … want to address specific complaints such as chronic fatigue or digestive problems using naturopathic methods.
• … want to prioritize everyday balance and subjective well-being.

Broadly speaking, this can be reduced to two types: Someone who checks their sleep-stage data in the morning and wants to understand why their Lp(a) remains elevated despite regular exercise is likely to feel at home at YEARS. Someone who wants to reorient themselves after burnout, reduce stress and develop a more holistic awareness of their body may find a different, but equally legitimate, approach at Circle Health.

Locations, availability and language

YEARS has a single location in Berlin-Charlottenburg at Joachimsthaler Str. 34. Diagnostics are carried out on an outpatient basis within a single day. The clinic is modern and discreet and serves patients in both German and English. The medical strategy consultation takes place approximately two weeks after the visit by video call.

Circle Health operates practices in Berlin and Munich. Appointments can be booked for individual consultations or topic-specific Health Checks.

Pricing and private health insurance reimbursement

YEARS works with transparent package prices:

• YEARS Core®: €1,900
• YEARS Evolve®: €7,600
• YEARS Ultimate®: €16,900

Billing is carried out according to the German medical fee schedule (GOÄ). Depending on the individual private health insurance plan, partial reimbursement may be possible. There is no guarantee; the reimbursement amount depends on the individual plan and the respective insurance conditions.

Circle Health charges between €399 and €499 for its topic-specific Health Checks. Services provided by non-medical practitioners are generally not covered by statutory health insurance; private health insurance or supplementary insurance may cover them partially depending on the contract.

For comparison: The Core® program combines 87 biomarkers, VO₂max testing, body plethysmography, ultrasound and a detailed medical strategy consultation.

YEARS or Circle Health – and when you might need both

YEARS provides comprehensive, evidence-based longevity diagnostics at physician level. The goal is a precise biological baseline assessment and a data-based strategy for a long healthspan. Circle Health offers a holistic and integrative approach focused on improving subjective well-being through complementary methods.

With its combination of extensive laboratory diagnostics, functional diagnostics, imaging and the additional Evolve and Ultimate assessments, YEARS is among the more comprehensive outpatient longevity offerings in Germany. For ongoing holistic support, lifestyle optimization and the use of naturopathic methods, Circle Health can be a useful addition.

People comparing the two often find that they are not direct substitutes. YEARS clarifies the biological baseline. Circle Health supports everyday implementation afterwards.

Are you ready to approach your health strategically?

• Discover the YEARS Core® program – your comprehensive medical baseline.
• Learn more about the YEARS Evolve® program with whole-body MRI and Liquid Biopsy.
• Book a non-binding consultation with our team.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the fundamental difference between YEARS and Circle Health?

YEARS is a physician-led longevity clinic focused on evidence-based, quantitative diagnostics for the early detection of disease risks. Circle Health is an integrative health center that combines conventional and complementary approaches and focuses on holistic well-being.

Can I combine YEARS and Circle Health?

That can be a sensible approach. The YEARS program provides a comprehensive, data-based baseline assessment including specific risk values. The resulting lifestyle and nutrition recommendations can then be implemented and supported in everyday life together with a therapist at Circle Health.

Is YEARS reimbursable for patients with private health insurance?

Billing at YEARS is carried out according to the German medical fee schedule (GOÄ). Depending on the individual private health insurance plan, partial reimbursement may be possible. Clarifying this with the insurer in advance is recommended.

Which YEARS program is suitable as an entry point?

The YEARS Core® program for €1,900 provides 87 biomarkers, comprehensive functional diagnostics and imaging, as well as a detailed medical strategy consultation, all within a single day. For people who want a well-founded medical baseline of their health, it is the logical starting point.

What is the difference between a non-medical practitioner check and physician-led longevity diagnostics?

A check carried out by a non-medical practitioner focuses on functional disorders and subjective well-being and may use different laboratory tests and interpretation approaches than conventional medicine. Physician-led longevity diagnostics at YEARS are based on scientifically validated biomarkers and clinical guidelines to objectively assess risk factors for specific diseases such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

Sources

• Kodama, S., Saito, K., Tanaka, S., et al. (2009). Cardiorespiratory Fitness as a Quantitative Predictor of All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Events in Healthy Men and Women: A Meta-analysis. JAMA, 301(19), 2024–2035. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2009.681.