Compare 21 cardiothoracic surgeons in Colorado Springs, CO. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
21
Cardiothoracic Surgeons
100%
Accepting patients
100%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Colorado Springs healthcare revolves around two realities: a large military community centered on Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force Base, and a fast-growing civilian population that has outpaced the city's medical infrastructure. UCHealth and CommonSpirit are expanding, but primary care wait times remain longer than in Denver.
Colorado Springs has 21 cardiothoracic surgeons. The most common credential is MD (100%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Old Colorado City, Downtown Colorado Springs, Broadmoor, and Manitou Springs (nearby).
Medical offices cluster along North Academy Boulevard and the I-25 corridor through the center of the city. UCHealth Memorial Central sits downtown, while Penrose-St. Francis is on the south side near the Broadmoor. Military families can access Evans Army Community Hospital on Fort Carson, but many also use off-base TRICARE providers along Academy.
Nearby hospitals include UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central, Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, and Evans Army Community Hospital (Fort Carson). Local training programs run through University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and Colorado College. Colorado Springs' large military population from Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force Base drives demand for veterans' and active-duty healthcare.
TRICARE coverage is more common here than in nearly any other Colorado city due to the Fort Carson and Peterson bases. On the civilian side, Anthem and Cigna have the widest provider networks. Kaiser Permanente has a smaller footprint here than in Denver. Health First Colorado (Medicaid) enrollment is moderate, with access through Peak Vista Community Health Centers. 76% accept Medicare.
The consultation includes a review of your cardiac or thoracic imaging, lab work, and previous testing (echocardiograms, cardiac catheterization, CT scans). The surgeon will explain the recommended procedure, expected outcomes, risks, and recovery timeline. For heart surgery, pre-operative testing may include dental clearance, blood typing, and a meeting with the anesthesia team. Recovery from open-heart surgery typically involves several days in the ICU and a total hospital stay of five to seven days.
If you recently moved from a lower elevation, tell your doctor. Colorado Springs sits at 6,035 feet, and altitude can affect blood pressure readings, medication metabolism, and post-surgical recovery.
See a cardiothoracic surgeon for coronary artery disease requiring bypass surgery, heart valve disease (aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation), aortic aneurysms involving the thoracic aorta, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, mediastinal tumors, and pleural conditions. Your cardiologist, pulmonologist, or oncologist will typically make the referral when surgery is being considered.
Consultation copay: $30-75 · Bypass surgery (CABG): $70,000-200,000 · Valve replacement: $50,000-170,000 · VATS lobectomy: $30,000-80,000
Colorado Springs, CO has 21 licensed cardiothoracic surgeons. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of cardiothoracic surgeons in Colorado Springs, CO are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
TRICARE is a significant part of the local insurance mix due to the military presence. For civilians, Connect for Health Colorado marketplace plans are available from Anthem and Cigna. Kaiser Permanente has a limited network in the Springs. Health First Colorado covers Medicaid-eligible residents.
A consultation copay is $50 to $100. Coronary artery bypass costs $70,000 to $200,000. Heart valve replacement costs $80,000 to $170,000. Lung lobectomy costs $30,000 to $80,000. Actual costs in Colorado Springs, CO depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Cardiothoracic surgery involves the highest costs in surgery. Hospital stays average five to ten days. Bills include the surgeon, assistant surgeon, anesthesia, perfusionist (heart-lung machine operator), ICU charges, and implants. Confirm all providers are in-network before the procedure.
Colorado Springs is served primarily by UCHealth (Memorial Hospital system) and CommonSpirit (Penrose-St. Francis). The city has fewer specialists per capita than Denver, so referrals for complex cases often route to the Anschutz Medical Campus about 70 miles north. Military families have Evans Army Community Hospital on Fort Carson as an additional option.
76% of cardiothoracic surgeons in Colorado Springs, CO accept Medicare. Medicare covers medically necessary cardiothoracic procedures including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve replacement, and lung cancer surgery. Cardiac rehabilitation after surgery is also covered. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some cardiothoracic surgeons in Colorado Springs, CO accept Health First Colorado, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers medically necessary cardiothoracic surgery. Prior authorization is required. Coverage includes surgeon, facility, anesthesia, ICU, and post-operative rehabilitation. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Health First Colorado participation before scheduling.
Yes. TRICARE covers care at many off-base providers throughout the city, particularly along Academy Boulevard and Powers Boulevard. You will need a referral from your PCM for most specialist visits under TRICARE Prime. TRICARE Select offers more flexibility to self-refer.
El Paso County has been growing faster than its primary care supply. New patient waitlists at some practices run several weeks. UCHealth and Optum urgent cares can bridge the gap while you establish a primary care relationship.
Top accepted carriers in Colorado Springs, CO include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-68781, centene, and qhp-17091.
Cardiothoracic surgery is covered under medical insurance for medically indicated conditions. These are complex, expensive procedures that always require prior authorization. Cardiac rehabilitation after surgery is covered by Medicare and most insurance plans (typically 36 sessions). Verify that all members of the surgical team and the hospital are in-network. Hospital stays for heart surgery commonly exceed $100,000 before insurance.