What does a rural health clinic do?

When people see one

• You live far from a larger clinic or hospital
• You want a primary care provider close to home
• Checkups, vaccines, and everyday illness
• Follow-up for ongoing conditions

How it differs

Community health center: A rural health clinic has a federal certification based on its rural location. A community health center is a nonprofit with a federal grant and a sliding fee scale.

Primary care clinic: A rural health clinic is a type of primary care clinic with a federal certification for rural areas.

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 91 rural health clinics in Colorado.

• Delta County: 7 locations
• Montezuma County: 6 locations
• Morgan County: 5 locations
• Fremont County: 4 locations
• Grand County: 4 locations
• Moffat County: 4 locations

Counties with the fewest: San Miguel (1), Saguache (1), Pueblo (1), Phillips (1), Las Animas (1). 25 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.
• Do you offer telehealth visits?
• Where do you send patients who need a specialist or a hospital?