What does a nurse practitioner (primary care) do?
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a licensed nurse with a graduate degree who can diagnose and treat illness, order tests, and prescribe medicine. Many NPs act as a patient's primary care provider.
Last updated November 11, 2026
Find primary care nurse practitioners near you
When people see one
- Yearly checkups and vaccines
- A new illness or injury
- Ongoing conditions like asthma or diabetes
- A quicker appointment than a physician offers
How it differs
Physician assistant: NPs train in a nursing model and often focus on one patient group. PAs train in a medical model and are licensed to work across specialties.
Family medicine doctor: A family medicine doctor is a physician (MD or DO). An NP is a nurse with advanced training.
On 2027 Colorado plans
Do you need a referral? No. You don't need a referral for primary care.
What a visit costs (the plan's filed "Other Practitioner Office Visit (Nurse, Physician Assistant)" benefit, in network, before any extra savings on silver plans):
- Bronze: $25 to $50 a visit on 23 of 56 plans; on the other 33, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
- Silver: $0 to $90 a visit on 53 of 58 plans; on the other 5, you pay toward your deductible or a share of the bill.
- Gold: $0 to $70 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 6,627 primary care nurse practitioners at 2,499 Colorado locations. Colorado shows 18,696 active licenses of this kind, including people who don't see patients or work out of state.
- El Paso County: 354 locations
- Denver County: 308 locations
- Arapahoe County: 277 locations
- Jefferson County: 237 locations
- Adams County: 175 locations
- Larimer County: 172 locations
Counties with the fewest: Ouray (1), Mineral (1), Kiowa (1), Gilpin (1), Crowley (1). 4 counties have none.
Questions to ask the office
- Are you taking new patients?
- Which 2027 plans do you take? Ask for the plan's network name, not only the insurance company.
- Is the NP listed as my primary care provider on my plan?
- Which physician works with this NP if I need more care?