# Primary care nurse practitioners in Colorado

> 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.

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

## 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

- Referral: No. You don't need a referral for primary care.
- Visit cost by metal level (standard plans):
  - Bronze: $25 to $50 a visit on 23 of 56 plans
  - Silver: $0 to $90 a visit on 53 of 58 plans
  - Gold: $0 to $70 a visit on 26 of 30 plans

## In Colorado

- 6,627 clinicians at 2,499 locations in public records (NPPES, CMS).
- 18,696 active Colorado licenses (DORA).

## 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?

## Sources

- [American Association of Nurse Practitioners: What's a Nurse Practitioner?](https://www.aanp.org/about/all-about-nps/whats-a-nurse-practitioner)
- [HealthCare.gov glossary: Primary care provider](https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/primary-care-provider/)
- [MedlinePlus: Nurse practitioner](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001934.htm)