# Pain medicine doctors in Colorado

> A pain medicine doctor is a doctor who specializes in long-lasting pain. They use medicine, injections, nerve treatments, and rehabilitation to reduce it.

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

## When people see one

- Back or neck pain that lasts for months
- Nerve pain, such as pain after shingles
- Pain that continues after an injury or surgery has healed
- Your regular doctor has run out of options for pain control

## How it differs

- Physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor: A physical medicine doctor focuses on restoring movement and function. A pain medicine doctor focuses on treating the pain itself, often with injections.

## 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

- 310 clinicians at 208 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?
- Do injections need prior approval from my insurance company?
- Is the office part of a hospital? Hospital-owned clinics can add a facility fee.

## Sources

- [MedlinePlus: Pain](https://medlineplus.gov/pain.html)
- [American Society of Anesthesiologists: Pain Management](https://madeforthismoment.asahq.org/pain-management/)