# Ear, nose and throat doctors (ENTs) in Colorado

> An ENT is a doctor who treats the ears, nose, and throat, plus related areas of the head and neck. Many are also surgeons.

Source: Colorado Health Insurance Colorado Care Index (https://coloradohealthinsurance.com/care/ent), data updated 2026-11-11. Published by Grove Benefit Advisors LLC, a licensed Colorado health insurance agency.

## When people see one

- Ongoing sinus infections
- Hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or dizziness
- Repeated strep throat or tonsil trouble
- A voice change that lasts weeks, or a lump in the neck

## How it differs

- Audiologist: An audiologist tests hearing and fits hearing aids. An ENT is a medical doctor who diagnoses the cause of hearing loss and can treat it with medicine or surgery.
- Allergist: An allergist tests for allergic triggers behind stuffy noses. An ENT treats structural and infection problems in the nose and sinuses.

## On 2027 Colorado plans

- Referral: On some plans. 37 of the 148 2027 plans need a referral from your primary care provider to see a specialist: Kaiser Permanente's 29 plans (you may self-refer to certain specialists) and Denver Health (Elevate)'s 8 plans (self-referral allowed for OB-GYN and outpatient mental health care). The other 111 don't, according to each plan's 2027 summary of benefits. Confirm in the plan's summary of benefits.
- Visit cost by metal level (standard plans):
  - Bronze: $100 to $140 a visit on 10 of 56 plans
  - Silver: $50 to $90 a visit on 44 of 58 plans
  - Gold: $50 to $90 a visit on 26 of 30 plans

## In Colorado

- 259 clinicians at 163 locations in public records (NPPES, CMS).

## Questions to ask the office

- Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?
- Which 2027 plans and network names do you take?
- How long is the wait for a new patient?
- Is the office part of a hospital? Hospital-owned clinics can add a facility fee.

## Sources

- [MedlinePlus: Ear, Nose and Throat](https://medlineplus.gov/earnoseandthroat.html)
- [MedlinePlus: Throat Disorders](https://medlineplus.gov/throatdisorders.html)
- [ENT Health (AAO-HNS)](https://www.enthealth.org/)