# Gastroenterologists in Colorado

> A gastroenterologist is a doctor who treats the digestive system, from the esophagus to the colon, plus the liver. They also perform colonoscopies and similar scopes.

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

## When people see one

- Heartburn that does not go away with treatment
- Blood in your stool or ongoing belly pain
- Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome
- A colon cancer screening or a positive stool test

## How it differs

- General surgeon: A gastroenterologist diagnoses and treats most digestive conditions with medicine and scopes. A general surgeon operates when surgery is needed.

## 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

- 308 clinicians at 150 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?
- Where are scopes done, and is that facility in my network?

## Sources

- [MedlinePlus: Digestive Diseases](https://medlineplus.gov/digestivediseases.html)
- [National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Digestive Diseases](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases)