
Executive Physicals: Strategy vs. Checkboxes
An executive physical in Philadelphia is a one-day, $3,000 to $5,000 head-to-toe screening at a hospital like Penn or Jefferson. It is good at collecting data, but most patients leave with a binder and no real plan. A membership-based primary care doctor can take that data and turn it into a year-round strategy.
Executive Physicals in Philadelphia: Strategy vs. Checkboxes
The bottom line, up front
Hospital-based executive physicals, like the ones at Penn or Jefferson, are excellent at data collection. They are not as strong on follow-through. They charge between $3,000 and $5,000 for a single day of testing. They hand you a binder of results, and then you are usually on your own. At Fishtown Medicine, we believe execution beats information. We do not sell a "day." We sell a relationship.What is the "binder problem" with executive physicals?
The traditional executive physical is built around corporate contracts, not patients.- The workflow: Arrive at 7 AM. Cycle through standard specialists (cardiology, dermatology, eye exam). Eat a fancy lunch. Leave at 3 PM.
- The result: A 50-page binder of data.
- The gap: If your cholesterol is high, the report says, "Follow up with your primary care doctor."
How does the Fishtown Medicine model work?
We replace the one-day event with a year-round strategy. Instead of charging $5,000 for a single day, we charge a monthly membership to be your health quarterback.Comparison: hospital executive physical vs. Fishtown Medicine
Fishtown Medicine
A 90-minute conversation with Dr. Ash. A written plan you can actually follow.
| Feature | Hospital Executive Physical | Fishtown Medicine (Membership) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $3,000 to $5,000, one-time | Monthly or annual membership |
| Model | Transactional, see you next year | Relational, text or call any time |
| Action | "Here is your problem." | "Here is your plan." |
| Follow-up | None, you are referred out | We treat it. We prescribe, manage, and re-test. |
| Cardiac | Stress test (older method) | CTA Coronary plus ApoB (advanced) |
| Metabolic | HbA1c (a lagging average of blood sugar) | Fasting insulin plus continuous glucose monitor (real-time) |
"What if my company already pays for the Penn physical?"
Take it. If your employer covers a $5,000 exam at Penn or Jefferson, use it. It is free data. Just do not rely on it for your care. Bring that binder to us, and we will:- Read every line: We review the entire report, not just the summary.
- Filter the noise: We tell you what truly matters and what is just a defensive finding.
- Build the plan: We prescribe the medications, set the lifestyle changes, and track your progress.
Scientific References
- Sniderman AD, et al. Apolipoprotein B Particles and Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative Review. JAMA Cardiology. 2019. Evidence supporting ApoB as a sharper cardiovascular risk marker than LDL alone.
- SCOT-HEART Investigators. Coronary CT Angiography and 5-Year Risk of Myocardial Infarction. New England Journal of Medicine. 2018. Long-term outcomes data on CTA-guided coronary care.
- Mozaffarian D, et al. Health Effects of Trans-Fatty Acids: Experimental and Observational Evidence. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2009. Background on cardiometabolic risk modification.
- American College of Physicians. High Value Care for Adults: Avoiding Unnecessary Annual Exams. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2015. Critique of low-yield annual exams and call for personalized risk-based care.

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