What does a neurosurgeon do?
A neurosurgeon is a doctor who performs surgery on the brain, spine, and nerves. Many of their patients have spine problems, brain tumors, or head injuries.
Last updated November 11, 2026
When people see one
- A neurologist or primary care doctor finds a problem that may need surgery
- A herniated disc or pinched nerve that therapy has not helped
- A brain or spinal tumor
- Serious head or spine injury
How it differs
Neurologist: A neurologist diagnoses and treats nervous system conditions without surgery. A neurosurgeon operates when surgery is the best option.
Orthopedic surgeon: Spine problems can be treated by either. Orthopedic surgeons focus on bones and joints; neurosurgeons also work on the nerves and spinal cord.
On 2027 Colorado plans
Do you need a 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.
What a visit costs (the plan's filed "Specialist Visit" benefit, in network, before any extra savings on silver plans):
- Bronze: $100 to $140 a visit on 10 of 56 plans; on the other 46, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
- Silver: $50 to $90 a visit on 44 of 58 plans; on the other 14, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
- Gold: $50 to $90 a visit on 26 of 30 plans; on the other 4, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
In-network care costs less. Out-of-network visits on an HMO or EPO usually aren't covered except in an emergency.
In Colorado
Public records list 166 neurosurgeons at 112 Colorado locations.
- Arapahoe County: 17 locations
- Denver County: 17 locations
- Douglas County: 16 locations
- El Paso County: 13 locations
- Adams County: 8 locations
- Boulder County: 8 locations
Counties with the fewest: Summit (1), Rio Blanco (1), Grand (1), Garfield (1), Fremont (1). 45 counties have none.
Questions to ask the office
- Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?
- Which 2027 plans and network names do you take?
- Which hospital would the surgery be at, and is it in my network?
- Do I need to try other treatments first, and will my plan require prior approval?