Preventive Schedule

Both of the Penn State Highmark health plans include a specific preventive service schedule with recommendations for health screenings. Highmark closely follows preventive screening schedules for adults that are based on recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

It is important to understand the difference between preventive and diagnostic care. When visiting a doctor for a routine checkup, a physician will sometimes prescribe certain tests, even though the patient is asymptomatic (not experiencing symptoms). In this event, it is recommended that the patient discuss Highmark’s preventive schedule in order to determine if/how the prescribed testing is listed on the schedule. If the doctor indicates that it is their practice to order testing not listed on the preventive schedule, then the patient should review their financial responsibility for the prescribed testing.