Executive Health Programs: 5 Best Practices to Protect Key Leaders and Reduce Risk

How do you make it easier for your executives to prioritize their health?

Long hours, high stress, and frequent travel often push wellness to the bottom of an executive’s to-do list. Unfortunately, ignoring health risks at the leadership level can have serious consequences for both the individual and the business.

When a key leader’s health suffers, it creates what’s known as key person risk, where one person’s absence can disrupt momentum and decision-making across the organization.

The need for executive health programs continues to grow. A study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that CEOs exposed to high stress aged visibly faster and lived shorter lives. Those facing industry downturns saw their life expectancy drop by 1.5 years and appeared one year older over the next decade.

Executive health isn’t just about checkups. It’s about protecting your company’s most important asset — its people.

At PartnerMD, we have over 20 years of experience helping companies create executive health programs that work in the real world. We understand the demands your leaders face and how to help them stay healthy, focused, and fully engaged.

To do that effectively, companies should focus on five key best practices:

• Offering customized executive physicals

• Providing ongoing care through concierge memberships

• Tailoring the program to company-specific needs

• Balancing cost with long-term value

• Making participation easy and convenient for busy leaders

In this article, we’ll break down each of these best practices and show you how to build a program that supports executive wellness and drives business success.

1. Build a foundation with customizable executive physicals.

The best executive health programs start with a personalized approach to physicals.
A once-a-year checkup may sound sufficient, but many programs take a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t reflect each executive’s unique risks, goals, and lifestyle.

A customizable executive physical should include:

• Tailored screenings based on age and health history

• Flexibility to add cardiovascular testing, advanced diagnostics, or wellness consults

• Clear, actionable insights that executives can understand and use

This isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about identifying issues early and maintaining the health of high performers.

2. Add ongoing care with concierge medicine memberships.

Most companies offer an annual physical, but the leaders go further.

A 2023 Goldman Sachs study found that 66% of organizations offer executive physicals. So, how do you stand out?

The real value lies in year-round support. Concierge medicine offers:

• 24/7 physician access for urgent and routine care

• Same-day or next-day appointments with little to no wait

• Long, unhurried visits focused on whole-person wellness

Beyond convenience, concierge care gives your executives consistent access to a physician who knows them well. That ongoing relationship allows for better monitoring of long-term risks, earlier intervention when health concerns arise, and more thoughtful, proactive guidance over time.

This kind of continuity makes it easier for busy leaders to stay on top of their health and avoid small problems from becoming major setbacks.

3. Tailor your program to your company’s goals.

Every organization has different priorities, and your executive health program should reflect that.

Some companies emphasize stress management and sleep health. Others may focus on cardiovascular risk, chronic condition management, or executive fitness.

Here are examples of custom program features:

• Group pricing and scheduling coordination

• Integration with corporate wellness initiatives

• Custom reports for HR or executive teams

A flexible program design ensures your investment supports both your people and your strategic goals.

4. Balance price with long-term value.

Cost matters, but value matters more.

Executive physicals typically cost $2,000 to $5,000, with premium options reaching $10,000 at luxury providers. But focusing only on price can be shortsighted.

Instead, consider this.

How much does it cost your business when a top executive is sidelined for a week? Or when burnout leads to poor decision-making or turnover?

The ROI of executive health programs often shows up in reduced sick days, increased engagement, and lower turnover among top leaders.

Beyond that, this kind of investment signals that your company values its people. It helps retain top performers and attract high-caliber talent, many of whom now expect strong health and wellness benefits as part of an executive package.

5. Prioritize convenience for busy executives.

Executives don’t have time to travel across the country for a physical. Programs that require flights, hotel stays, and multi-day visits, such as those at the Mayo Clinic or the Cleveland Clinic, can take leaders away from the office longer than necessary.

While these programs are well known, many local providers offer a comparable level of personalized, high-quality care with far less disruption to a leader’s schedule.

Instead, look for:

• Local, high-quality care that meets the standards of national programs

• Coordinated appointments to reduce time away from work

• On-site or nearby testing options when available

Choosing a local provider saves time and makes it easier for executives to stay consistent with their care. The more accessible the program, the more likely your leaders are to use it and stay committed to their health.

Healthy leaders build healthy companies

At the end of the day, we’ve all seen how executive health challenges can disrupt momentum and decision-making at the highest levels. This is especially true when your leaders are managing stress, aging into higher risk categories, or simply too busy to prioritize care.

Now that you’ve learned the five best practices that companies like yours use to improve executive health, it’s time to consider your next step.

If you’re ready to build a personalized executive health program that fits your company, PartnerMD is here to help.

PartnerMD can help you design a program tailored to your needs. Let’s keep your key people healthy, thriving, and ready to lead. Complete this form, and one of our Executive Health team members will contact you to get started today.