Preventive Screenings You Should Know

Call your primary care provider (PCP) today to schedule screenings you are due for or:

Important notices:

  • UPMC Health Plan members with employee-sponsored insurance plans: Getting preventive screenings may help you earn toward your wellness incentive! Check your plan benefits today to check eligibility.
  • UPMC for You members may qualify for transportation assistance for preventive screenings. For more details, visit the Medical Assistance Transportation Program website.
It's important not to put off getting preventive screenings.

Stay up to date with your screenings, even when you feel fine. Here are some of the preventive exams available, including a guide on when and how often to get them.

Well-visit

How often should I get this screening?
Once a year
At your well-visit, your PCP can decide if you need additional screenings or services, such as the following:

  • Blood pressure
  • Depression screening
  • Intimate partner violence
  • Lifestyle topics
  • Tobacco use
  • Alcohol misuse
  • Skin cancer
  • Sexually transmitted infection (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis) screening and/or counseling
  • Contraception (birth control)
  • HIV (virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection) screening
  • Hepatitis B (liver infection) screening

Learn More About Well-Visits

At your next wellness visit, ask your provider for a UPMC Prescription for Wellness to connect with a health coach

Prescription for Wellness is an innovative program that allows your provider to connect you with a UPMC Health Plan health coach—at no cost to you! Our health coaches are specially trained to keep you motivated and on the path to success, no matter your health goals.

Cervical cancer screening

How often should I get this screening?
People who are 21-65 years old and have a cervix should get a Pap test every 3 years. Or people who are 30-65 years old and have a cervix should get a combined Pap test/human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test every 5 years.

Learn More About Cervical Cancer Screenings

Colorectal cancer screening

How often should I get this screening?
 Every 1-10 years based on risk, beginning at age 45 through age 75

  • Stool tests: every 1 or 3 years depending on the test
  • Sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
  • Colonoscopy every 10 years

Learn More About Colorectal Cancer Screenings

Breast Cancer screening (mammography)

How often should I get this screening?
 It is recommended every 2 years for women ages 50-74.

Learn More About Breast Cancer Screenings

 

Flu shot

How often should I get a flu shot?
Yearly

Learn More About Flu Shots

BRCA screening and counseling

How often should I get this screening?
One-time genetic test if you have a family history of breast or reproductive cancer, as recommended by your PCP

Osteoporosis screening

How often should I get this screening?
One-time screening if you are 65 or older, or have an increased risk

Learn More About Osteoporosis

Lung cancer screening

How often should I get this screening?
Once a year if you:

  • Are 50-80 years old.
  • Have a history of heavy smoking.
  • Currently smoke or have quit within 15 years.

Cholesterol test

How often should I get this screening?
Every 4-6 years
We're here for you every step of the way. For a full list preventive screenings, immunizations, and exams covered by UPMC Health Plan, call the number on your member ID card or review the Preventive Service Reference Guide.