What does a primary care clinic do?

When people see one

• Yearly checkups and vaccines
• A new health problem that is not an emergency
• Ongoing conditions that need regular follow-up
• A referral to a specialist

How it differs

Urgent care center: A primary care clinic follows your health over time. Urgent care treats one-time problems that cannot wait, often without an appointment.

Community health center: A community health center is one kind of primary care clinic. It has a federal grant and a sliding fee scale.

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 "Primary Care Visit to Treat an Injury or Illness" 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 $40 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 $30 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.

Compare 2027 plans and prices

In Colorado

Public records list 440 primary care clinics in Colorado.

• Denver County: 59 locations
• Arapahoe County: 53 locations
• El Paso County: 42 locations
• Boulder County: 36 locations
• Jefferson County: 32 locations
• Douglas County: 29 locations

Counties with the fewest: Yuma (1), Washington (1), San Juan (1), Saguache (1), Routt (1). 16 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.
• Can I choose which provider I see?
• How do I reach someone after hours?