Weight · Cholesterol · Blood pressure · Blood glucose · Adults 40+
Get the care you deserve before tragedy unfolds.
I spent 14 years caring for people on the worst day of their lives: the heart attack, stroke, organ failure and amputations. Most of the damage had been building for years. My practice now focuses on the risk factors that cause pathology over years: obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood glucose.
Book a Free 15-Minute CallIf I’m not the right fit, I’ll tell you.
Board-Certified in Internal Medicine & Obesity Medicine
In person in Cherry Hill, NJ · Telehealth in NJ, NY, PA and CA
What I do
Find your real risk. Treat it. Follow up every month.
A full evaluation and a plan with real targets
90 minutes on your history, medications, family history, prior labs, weight, blood pressure, sleep and activity. Then a 30-minute visit to set specific targets for your weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose, and how we’ll reach them: nutrition, activity and prescription medication when medically indicated. If more testing would change the plan, I’ll explain why and order it.
Treatment and follow-through
A 45-minute visit each month. I adjust medications, recheck labs and change the plan when something isn’t working. Message me in between.
When something comes up
Just saw a specialist, got a new diagnosis or came home from the hospital? We’ll go over it together by telehealth, so you understand what happened and what to do next. Questions about a new symptom or side effect between visits? Message me.
The physician
Varun Verma, M.D.
Board-Certified · Internal Medicine & Obesity Medicine
Fourteen years as a hospital physician at UCSF, Brigham and Women’s, Mount Sinai, Jefferson Health and Cooper University Hospital taught me something I couldn’t ignore: most chronic disease doesn’t suddenly appear in the hospital. By the time patients are sick enough to be admitted, the process has usually been unfolding for years.
That realization pushed me upstream. Today I run a direct-pay practice in South Jersey for adults who want to stay ahead of disease instead of reacting to it.
“Protocols and research tell us where to start. Your labs, your history, and how you actually feel tell us where to go.”
What patients say
In their words.
Over the years, my family and I have experienced his remarkable dedication, professionalism, and compassion firsthand. He doesn’t just treat symptoms; he takes the time to understand how our lifestyle plays a role in our health. Every visit feels personal, never rushed. What stands out most is his balance of deep medical expertise with sincere human connection, a rare combination these days.
C.M.
Dr. Verma has a calm, thoughtful way of addressing concerns without ever making you feel rushed or dismissed. He is extremely empathetic, explains things clearly and helps distinguish what truly needs attention from what doesn’t.
R.S.
Dr. Verma is very caring, considerate, and professional. He goes above and beyond to help his patients achieve their personal goals.
L.K.
How this is different
What a focused practice adds to your care.
How this fits with your insurance: keep your primary care doctor for your annual physical, vaccines, cancer screening, Pap smears and sick visits. Membership covers what a short visit can’t: ongoing management of your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose, and expert guidance after specialist visits and hospital stays.
What I treat
What I treat, and why it matters.
These conditions rarely cause symptoms early on. They do their damage quietly, over years, which is exactly why they’re worth treating before they cause a problem.
Most people I see aren’t trying to live forever. They want to be healthy enough to watch their kids grow up and stay independent as they age.
Obesity
Obesity isn’t a cosmetic problem. Fat stored around your organs, called visceral fat, is metabolically active. It contributes to inflammation and insulin resistance, and obesity is associated with a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver, sleep apnea and 13 types of cancer.
What I do: If diet and exercise alone haven’t worked, we build a plan that does: nutrition and activity targets, medications like Wegovy or Zepbound when medically indicated, and monthly follow-up to manage side effects and protect your muscle.
High blood pressure
It’s called the silent killer for a reason. High blood pressure usually causes no symptoms while the extra force slowly damages the arteries in your heart, brain, kidneys and eyes. It is a major cause of stroke, heart disease and kidney disease, and high blood pressure in midlife is an important risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia later in life.
What I do: We confirm your real blood pressure with reliable home readings, look for contributors, set a target and adjust treatment as your weight and numbers change.
High cholesterol
You can’t feel it, but LDL and other ApoB-containing particles can enter your artery walls and build plaque over decades. ApoB estimates how many of those plaque-forming particles you have. Lp(a) is a largely inherited risk factor that is elevated in about 1 in 5 people, and a standard cholesterol panel doesn’t measure it.
What I do: I review your LDL, ApoB, Lp(a), blood pressure, family history and other risk factors, use coronary calcium scoring when it would change the decision, then set a target and manage medication when medically indicated.
Insulin resistance and blood glucose
Insulin resistance can develop years before type 2 diabetes, and it is associated with damage to blood vessels and higher heart disease risk even before your blood glucose reaches the diabetic range. Less well known, it is also part of a metabolic environment linked to a higher risk of several cancers, including colorectal, liver and pancreatic cancer.
What I do: I check your A1C, fasting glucose and, when helpful, insulin levels, then work on weight, nutrition, activity and medication when medically indicated to reverse the trend before it becomes diabetes.
Low energy and testosterone
Low energy doesn’t automatically mean low testosterone. Fatigue, poor sleep, low drive and weight gain often travel together, and sleep apnea, obesity, thyroid disease, medications and other conditions can cause similar symptoms.
What I do: I look for the cause before treating a number. For men with confirmed low testosterone, treatment is an option, with regular monitoring.
Medications
Prescription medication when clinically appropriate.
Depending on your evaluation, in addition to nutrition and activity changes, treatment may include GLP-1 medications like Wegovy or Zepbound, blood pressure medication, cholesterol-lowering medication, metformin, or testosterone for men.
I prescribe FDA-approved medications only, monitor how well they work and their side effects, and adjust treatment as your health changes. I don’t prescribe opioids or other medications for chronic pain, benzodiazepines, or controlled substances other than testosterone when clinically indicated. I also don’t prescribe compounded weight-loss medications or research-grade peptides.
Supplements: what the evidence says
Ever wondered whether you should take creatine, vitamin D3 with K2 or magnesium glycinate? Some have solid evidence behind them. Many don’t. I’ll walk you through what the research shows for your situation.
I don’t sell supplements and take no commission on any recommendation.
Patient results
What this looks like in practice.
Every case is different. That’s the point.
Case study · Details changed for privacy
M., 44 · Healthcare professional
Six months in, M. had lost 16 pounds, his A1C was back to normal and he had dropped one of his two blood pressure medications.
At start
A1C 5.8
BP 135/80 on 2 meds
194 lbs
At 6 months
A1C 5.4
BP 120/80 on 1 med
178 lbs
Case study · Details changed for privacy
J., 48 · Surgeon
J. came in asking about testosterone. We also found a heart risk he didn’t know he had.
J. came in with low energy, disrupted sleep and declining drive, and wanted his testosterone checked. A full workup confirmed secondary hypogonadism. Before starting anything, we also ran a comprehensive cardiovascular panel. His ApoB came back above 90, a meaningful risk signal in someone with a demanding career, a young family and decades ahead of him.
We started testosterone at the lowest effective dose, targeted to his symptoms and baseline. At the same time, we added rosuvastatin for his cardiovascular risk. The goal wasn’t only how he feels today. It was protecting the life he has built.
Case study · Details changed for privacy
S., 52 · Executive
S. wanted to avoid medication, so we built a diet-first plan around that.
S. came in for a baseline evaluation. Routine testing turned up two problems: high cholesterol and an elevated mercury level. Reviewing his diet revealed the likely source of the mercury: a long-standing habit of eating fish that is high in mercury.
S. didn’t want to start a cholesterol medication, so we built the plan around that: more fiber, a switch to low-mercury fish and repeat labs to see whether diet alone moves the numbers. Medication stays on the table if it doesn’t.
Individual results vary. These examples do not guarantee or predict any particular outcome.
Pricing
What your membership includes.
- Monthly face time with your doctora 45-minute consult every month, not a rushed visit once or twice a year.
- The same doctor every timewho knows your history, your labs and what you’ve already tried.
- Medication managed monthlystarted, adjusted and monitored, not refilled and forgotten.
- Results measured against your targetswhen we recheck labs, I review them against the goals we set, so you know whether the plan is working.
- Answers between visitsmessage me directly instead of waiting months for an appointment.
- A doctor in your cornerafter a specialist visit, a new diagnosis or a hospital stay, we review it together by telehealth. Fourteen years in hospital medicine means I know what to ask and what the plan should look like.
Ongoing physician management
Focused physician management of your weight, metabolic health and cardiovascular risk. No enrollment fee. $500 a month, starting with month one. Month-to-month. Cancel with 2 business days’ notice before your next billing date.
Your first month
- 90-minute physician evaluation
- Review of your history, prior labs and records
- Labs ordered when needed
- 30-minute strategy visit to review results and build your plan
Every month after
- 45-minute physician visit
- Medication management and lab review
- Plan adjustments as your results change
- Secure messaging for questions, concerns and health coaching, with a response within one business day
- Telehealth reviews after specialist visits, new diagnoses or hospital stays
A short call directly with me. No script, no pressure. If I’m not the right fit, I’ll tell you.
What’s separate from your membership
I provide focused, ongoing physician management. This does not replace your primary care physician or provide urgent or emergency care.
Physician fees are not billed to insurance. A superbill is available on request for possible out-of-network reimbursement. You may also be able to use HSA/FSA funds; eligibility is determined by your plan. Labs, diagnostic tests, imaging, medications and other outside services are billed separately by the companies providing them. I’m not able to see Medicare beneficiaries at this time.
Frequently asked questions
The details.
Can I book a one-time consultation instead of joining monthly?
No. Health Improvement Institute is built around ongoing physician management, not one-time consultations.
Most of what I do requires follow-up. If I start or adjust a medication, I need to see whether it’s working, watch for side effects, review your labs and decide whether the treatment should change.
I don’t believe it’s good medicine to write a prescription or make a treatment recommendation without a plan to follow how you respond.
Does this replace my primary care physician?
No. Keep your primary care doctor for annual physicals, vaccines, cancer screening and general medical care. I focus on weight, metabolic health and cardiovascular risk, with more time and attention than a standard visit allows, and I work alongside your other doctors.
Do you provide urgent care or sick visits?
No. I don’t provide urgent or emergency care or sick visits. For acute illness or injuries, contact your primary care doctor or go to an urgent care center. For emergencies, call 911.
That said, you’re not on your own between visits. If you have a question about a new symptom, a medication side effect or an unexpected lab result, message me. I’ll help you make sense of it and tell you whether it needs in-person care, and where.
Messages are answered within one business day, so if something feels urgent, don’t wait for my reply.
Can you help after a specialist visit or hospital stay?
Yes. After a specialist visit, a new diagnosis or a hospital stay, we can go over it together by telehealth. I spent 14 years in hospital medicine, so I know what to ask, what the plan should look like and where things tend to fall through the cracks.
You can also send me consult notes, scan results or discharge instructions ahead of time. I’ll help you understand what they mean and how they fit with your overall plan. If a change would affect a specialist’s plan, I’ll discuss it with you first.
Do you accept insurance?
No. Physician fees are paid directly. A superbill is available on request for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and you may be able to use HSA/FSA funds depending on your plan.
Labs, imaging and medications can often go through your insurance, depending on your coverage. I’m not able to see Medicare beneficiaries at this time.
Can I get a GLP-1 or testosterone prescription?
If your evaluation supports it. Medication is one tool in a broader plan, not an automatic outcome. I prescribe FDA-approved medications only, with no compounded or gray-market products.
Testosterone therapy starts with a full clinical assessment rather than a single lab result, and requires ongoing monitoring.
Are there medications you don’t prescribe?
Yes. I don’t prescribe opioids or other medications for chronic pain, benzodiazepines, or controlled substances other than testosterone when clinically indicated. I also don’t prescribe compounded weight-loss medications or research-grade peptides. If you need one of these, please work with the specialist managing that condition.
Do I need medication to participate?
No. Medication is used when the expected benefit justifies it. For many patients, changes in nutrition, activity, sleep and weight are a major part of the plan.
Which states do you see patients in?
I’m licensed in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and California. You need to be physically in one of those states at the time of each telehealth visit, or you can see me in person in Cherry Hill, NJ.
Testosterone is a controlled substance, so I can only prescribe it to patients in New Jersey.
How does cancellation work?
Billing is month-to-month with no long-term contract. Cancel with 2 business days’ notice before your next billing date.
Health Improvement Institute
Find out where you actually stand.
Maybe you’ve watched this happen to a parent. Maybe your own numbers are starting to creep up. Either way, you don’t need to wait for a crisis.
A free 15-minute call to hear what’s going on and see whether this is the right fit.
Book a Free 15-Minute CallIf I’m not the right fit, I’ll tell you openly and suggest other options.
Call or text 856-291-6452
