# Pulmonologists (lung doctors) in Colorado

> A pulmonologist is a doctor who treats the lungs and breathing. They treat asthma, COPD, and sleep-related breathing problems.

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

## 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

- 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

- 422 clinicians at 140 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?
- How long is the wait for a new patient?
- Are breathing tests done in the office, or elsewhere?

## Sources

- [MedlinePlus: Lung Diseases](https://medlineplus.gov/lungdiseases.html)
- [MedlinePlus: Asthma](https://medlineplus.gov/asthma.html)
- [American Thoracic Society](https://site.thoracic.org/)