What does a pulmonologist (lung doctor) do?

When people see one

• A cough that lasts more than a few weeks
• Shortness of breath with no clear cause
• Asthma or COPD that is not controlled
• An abnormal chest X-ray or CT scan

How it differs

Cardiologist: Heart and lung problems can feel alike. A pulmonologist treats the lungs; a cardiologist treats the heart.

Allergist: An allergist also treats asthma that has allergic triggers. A pulmonologist treats a wider range of lung disease.

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.

Compare 2027 plans and prices

In Colorado

Public records list 422 pulmonologists (lung doctors) at 140 Colorado locations.

• Denver County: 18 locations
• Boulder County: 14 locations
• Adams County: 12 locations
• El Paso County: 12 locations
• Arapahoe County: 9 locations
• Jefferson County: 9 locations

Counties with the fewest: Summit (1), Otero (1), Montezuma (1), Moffat (1), Logan (1). 29 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?
• How long is the wait for a new patient?
• Are breathing tests done in the office, or elsewhere?