FAQs

• What’s the difference between our practice and a concierge-practice model?

  Executive Health, which focuses on wellness and prevention, fills a niche between a traditional primary care office and a concierge medical practice. Our program’s clinical operation and patient experience are unique in the central Ohio market.

  Advantages of our system include:

  • One-on-one visits with your doctor, who has a lower patient-to-physician ratio allowing for ample time to develop a personalized relationship
  • A focus on customer service, in addition to world-class medical care, including timely responses through our MyChart messaging system and a patient experience coordinator
  • A modern, well-equipped office with workspaces, refreshments and Wi-Fi, ideal for busy professionals
  • 24/7 on-call coverage from Executive Health physicians, including a social visit during a hospital stay if you’re admitted to an Ohio State facility for more than 48 hours
  • Full integration into a nationally recognized academic medical institution, including a wide array of testing modalities and world-class medical specialists
  • A more affordable program than concierge or full-day executive systems

  We do not offer some concierge-type services such as:

  • Care of non-member loved ones
  • Home visits (with rare exceptions)
  • Skilled nursing facility visits
  • Transportation services
  • In-office spa or other nonmedical services
  • Guaranteed 24/7 direct contact with a single physician

• Are you a full-day executive experience?

  No. After extensive research, we’ve seen that a full-day experience is sometimes just as taxing, if not more, on an executive than a few well-planned, convenient appointments. Also, one day does not allow for the ongoing doctor-patient relationship we feel is necessary.

  Time spent in an Executive Health appointment typically lasts between two and three hours, including parking arrangements, and labs can be ordered ahead of time for existing patients to cut down on time and need to fast for your visit. We customize our lab testing to your personal needs and try not to order unnecessary or redundant tests.

• Will I have my own doctor?

  Yes, each patient has a primary physician in the practice who oversees their care. All our physicians work in close collaboration with each other, nurses and support staff to ensure that we are effectively coordinating care with you and your family. Nurse practitioners or physician assistants may answer your messages or see you for acute visits only.

• What about access after hours?

  After business hours or on weekends and holidays, you may reach a physician on the Executive Health team by phone 24/7/365. In contrast to large group coverage, this is a small cadre of physicians who know our patient group and their expectations.

• Does Executive Health help me get priority appointments in other departments?

  We’ll work closely with you to accommodate scheduling needs, both within Executive Health and across the rest of the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. The goal for acute care visits in Executive Health is to have you seen within 48 hours by one of our physicians, either in person or with a telehealth appointment. Occasionally, subspecialist visits may occur within the Executive Health suite as space and resources are available.

  When it comes to testing or referrals to other specialties, membership in Executive Health does not ensure priority scheduling or “moving to the front of the line.” We will work to get appointments scheduled as expeditiously as we can.

• Will other Ohio State primary care practices be switching to a membership model?

  No, this is unique to Executive Health and the environment and service that we provide.

• Why are only certain Executive Health physicians accepting patients?

  Each physician’s patient list is curated to not exceed a certain number. This number is important so each physician can attend to the needs of their patients in a manner that is to be expected in a membership-based model. All Executive Health physicians have many years of experience and are fully vetted and approved by medical leadership. We will be hiring physicians to keep up with anticipated needs, so there’s always a physician accepting new patients.

• I currently see Executive Health as part of a corporate contract. Will this continue?

  Some employers have chosen to keep this contract in place for 2023. It’s being discussed whether the “physicals only” model will continue beyond 2023. Please, stay in touch with your human resources department for the latest information.

• What is the Executive Health program fee for 2023?

  The current 2023 fee is $800 per patient. This fee will be prorated after July 1 for new patients and charged annually based on the calendar year.

• Will the fee change?

  The fee for 2024 will be $1,000 per person and will eventually increase to approximately $1,200 per person annually, as we phase into the program’s enhanced model. We anticipate the $1,200 membership will be the continuing amount for the foreseeable future.

  Family-member discounts will be discussed as an option in the future.

• What will change each year as you near the full fee?

  With our enhanced program, we see the opportunity for enhancement such as new satellite practice locations, communication enhancements, additional services and discounts for members. Enhancements will be announced each year prior to the membership agreement renewal.

• Will my insurance or Health Savings Account (HSA) cover Executive Health’s annual fee?

  The membership fee is not covered by your traditional insurance benefits. Fees are also not covered under HSAs, as the amount cannot be itemized as specific covered medical services. Check with your tax professional or accountant for those details.

  If you have a wellness or lifestyle spending account (LSA), this may offset the expense. Check with your human resources department about eligibility.

• Can I pay the fee in installments?

  Currently, there is no option to pay fees on an installment plan, a delayed payment or a waiver of the fee.

• How will insurance work with my Executive Health membership?

  We will continue to bill your insurance for billable services such as visits, lab tests and imaging.

• Do you accept Medicare?

  Yes, we accept Medicare and commercial insurance plans. We do not accept Medicaid or workers’ compensation.

• Do patients have the option to pay this fee while in the Executive Health suite?

  We cannot collect the membership fees in the Executive Health suite. However, the payment portal is available on your mobile device, and we can provide a link with detailed instruction on how to pay the fee.

• Will refunds be offered?

  Typically, refunds will not be granted for members who move from the area, engage in part-year residency out of state or voluntarily leave the practice for any other reason.

• Are there discounts for individuals who work at Ohio State, nonprofits, etc.?

  There are no discounted fees related to specific occupations or roles in the community. However, some organizations may choose to cover membership fees for specific members of their organization.

• Can I just auto-renew year over year?

  In 2024, we’ll likely add an auto-renew feature. You may, however, still need to electronically sign the current year’s membership agreement.

• Is there a requirement for becoming a patient?

  Although our original mission is serving the executive patient with a focus on prevention and wellness, anyone who is invested in their own health care, chooses to pay the membership fee and has the required insurance may begin the membership process (as physicians are available to welcome new patients). Please note that we do not offer any long-term pain management in this office. Not disclosing this need at the time of sign-up could result in termination of the relationship.

• What is the process to becoming a new member?

  Once you have reviewed our information and have decided to join, call our office to request a new patient appointment. Once an appointment is approved and scheduled, you will be able to log on to the Executive Health membership portal within 24-48 hours to sign the membership agreement and pay the membership fee. This step must be completed within 10 days of scheduling, or the future appointment may be canceled and rejoining the practice may be prevented.

  Appointments for initial visits may take several weeks or longer to schedule, so please, be aware of this as you weigh your decision to join.

• What should I consider when referring a friend or colleague?

  We are grateful for word-of-mouth referrals. We ask that you consider our original mission in your referral patterns and choose to share our information with those who would have the greatest benefit from our program.

  Keep in mind that if you would like your entire leadership team to benefit from our services, we can create a corporate package for your team by meeting with stakeholders within your company.

• What is the process to rejoin the practice for previous patients (2022 and prior)?

  Please call our office to request a new patient appointment. You may not be able to choose your previous physician if their patient panel is full. Once this request has been approved and a visit is scheduled, you will be able to log on to the Executive Health membership portal within 24-48 hours to sign the membership agreement and pay the membership fee.

• What can I expect during the first appointment?

  If the first appointment is urgent and has been approved by the physician, the visit may be a 45-minute visit to address the pressing need. You will then be scheduled for a 90-minute visit for a preventive, focused annual physical sometime in the coming months. Ideally, the initial visit could take up to 2 hours for the whole encounter. This will include approximately 60 minutes with your physician.