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Gastroenterologists in Altoona–Johnstown, PA

36 listed in Altoona–Johnstown, PA · Listings last verified November 2026 · How we vet listings

We list 36 gastroenterologists in the Altoona–Johnstown area, most of them in Altoona, Port Matilda and State College. All are physicians (MD or DO), shown with the practice's phone number, address and Google rating where we could match one. Use the filters to narrow by city, telehealth, Medicare or Medicaid.

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Gebran Abboud, MD

Gastroenterology

Address
1086 Franklin St Good Samaritan Bldg., Ground Floor, Johnstown 15905
Telehealth
Not listed
Medicare
Not listed
Medicaid
Not listed
Call (814) 534-1270 Directions

Last verified Nov 2026 Report a correction

Joel B. Haight, MD

Penn State Health Medical Group - Colonnade

Gastroenterology

Practice rating 1.0 (1 Google review)

Address
32 Colonnade Way, State College 16803
Telehealth
Not listed
Medicare
Not listed
Medicaid
Not listed
Call (814) 272-4445 Website Directions

Last verified Nov 2026 Report a correction

In the Altoona–Johnstown area

Our Altoona–Johnstown listings cover central Pennsylvania: Centre County, Blair County, Cambria County, Clearfield County, Somerset County, Mifflin County, Huntingdon County and Bedford County. The three main places to look are Altoona, State College and Johnstown, with smaller groups in Lewistown, Huntingdon, Somerset, Clearfield and DuBois.

This is a spread-out, mostly small-town region. UPMC appears in and around Altoona, and Penn State Health has a few offices listed. Conemaugh and Penn Highlands are other names you'll see, along with independent groups such as Cardiology Associates of Altoona, Johnstown Cardiovascular Associates and Altoona Lung Specialists. For mental health, Primary Health Network runs Altoona Behavioral Health.

Because towns are far apart, it's worth checking the closest one first and asking your doctor where they refer. Some specialties have few listings here, and our directory has no local page for liver specialists. A gastroenterologist can often manage liver disease and refer you on, and Pittsburgh and Harrisburg have larger groups of specialists.

Altoona has the most GI listings, followed by Port Matilda and State College. Penn State Health has an office listed in this group. Lewistown, Johnstown and Windber have a few listings, while Clearfield and DuBois have fewer. Ask where procedures are done, because that may not be the same town as the office.

Nearby: Pittsburgh, PA · Harrisburg–Lancaster–York, PA · Youngstown, OH · Erie, PA

How to choose a gastroenterologist

A gastroenterologist, or GI doctor, diagnoses and treats problems of the digestive tract: the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, liver, pancreas and gallbladder. People see one for heartburn that won't go away, ongoing belly pain, diarrhea or constipation, bleeding, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, and for colonoscopies.

Start with the kind of care you need. Many GI doctors handle a wide range of problems, but some focus on one area:

  • General gastroenterologists handle most needs: reflux, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, screening colonoscopies and follow-up on abnormal tests.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) specialists manage Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis over the long term.
  • Advanced endoscopists do complex scope procedures, such as removing large polyps or treating bile duct and pancreas problems.
  • Hepatologists focus on the liver. Many are gastroenterologists with extra liver training.

If you're not sure, a general gastroenterologist is the right first stop. They'll refer you on if you need a subspecialist.

Check credentials. Board certification in gastroenterology shows a doctor has finished specialty training and passed a certification exam. You can look up any doctor's certification for free on the American Board of Internal Medicine website [1]. Our listings show the credentials doctors report in the federal NPI registry, but we don't verify board certification.

Know if you're due for a colonoscopy. Experts recommend colorectal cancer screening for adults ages 45 to 75 [2]. A colonoscopy is one option. Some people can start with a stool test instead. Ask your primary care doctor which test fits you, and whether your family history means you should start earlier.

Confirm insurance before you book. Practices change the plans they accept, so call the office or check your insurer's directory. HMO plans usually need a referral first. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary specialist visits; you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after your deductible [5].

Ask where procedures are done. Colonoscopies and other scopes happen in a hospital or a separate endoscopy center. The location can change what you pay, so ask before you schedule.

Know when not to wait. Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, black or tar-like stool, or feeling faint, confused or cold and clammy with belly symptoms need emergency care, not an appointment [4]. Call 911.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral to see a gastroenterologist?

It depends on your insurance. Most HMO plans require a referral from your primary care doctor before they'll cover a specialist visit. PPO plans and traditional Medicare usually don't. Some GI practices also want a referral or recent test results before they book you, especially for a procedure, so call ahead and ask what to bring.

At what age should I get a colonoscopy?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults ages 45 to 75. A colonoscopy is one way to screen, and stool tests are another. People with a family history of colon cancer, certain polyps or inflammatory bowel disease may need to start earlier or screen more often. Ask your doctor what's right for you.

Does Medicare cover a screening colonoscopy?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers a screening colonoscopy once every 120 months for most people, or once every 24 months if you're at high risk. There's no minimum age. You pay nothing for the screening if your doctor accepts assignment. If a polyp is removed during the test, you may owe a share of the cost.

What happens at a first GI appointment?

Expect questions about your symptoms, diet, bowel habits, medications and family history, plus a physical exam. The doctor may order blood work, a stool test, imaging or a scope procedure such as an upper endoscopy or colonoscopy. Bring a list of your medications and any recent lab results, scans or procedure reports.

How do I know if a gastroenterologist is board certified?

Look the doctor up on the American Board of Internal Medicine's free "Verify a Physician" tool, which shows whether they're certified in gastroenterology. Our listings show the credentials doctors report to the NPI registry, but we don't verify certification ourselves.

Sources

  1. American Board of Internal Medicine — Verify a physician's certification
  2. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force — Colorectal cancer screening
  3. Medicare.gov — Colonoscopies (screening)
  4. NIDDK — Symptoms and causes of GI bleeding
  5. Medicare.gov — Doctor & other health care provider services (Part B)