Pulmonologists in Denver, CO
Compare 119 pulmonologists in Denver, CO. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
119
Pulmonologists
100%
Accepting patients
85%
Most common: MD
Top-Rated Pulmonologists in Denver, CO
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Specialty: pulmonologistState: COCity: Denver
About pulmonologists in Denver, CO
Denver's healthcare identity is shaped by two forces: the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, which pulls top researchers and specialists to the Front Range, and a population that expects its doctors to understand active lifestyles. This is a city where orthopedic surgeons treat weekend ski injuries and altitude medicine is a real subspecialty.
Denver has 119 pulmonologists. The most common credential is MD (85%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Most specialist care concentrates around the Anschutz Medical Campus on the east side and the Denver Health campus downtown. Cherry Creek and the I-25 corridor south through Littleton form a secondary medical office belt. RTD light rail connects downtown to Anschutz, but most patients drive and should plan for traffic on Colorado Boulevard and I-225.
Providers practice throughout Denver. LoDo (Lower Downtown) is denver's historic downtown core with walking access to Denver Health Medical Center and specialty offices. Capitol Hill is a dense, central neighborhood near National Jewish Health and Denver Health. RiNo (River North) is a growing arts district north of downtown with new medical offices and community clinics. Cherry Creek is an upscale shopping and residential area with concierge practices and specialty medical offices.
Nearby hospitals include UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, Denver Health Medical Center, and National Jewish Health. Local training programs run through University of Colorado School of Medicine and University of Denver. National Jewish Health in Denver is ranked the number one respiratory hospital in the nation.
What to expect at your first pulmonologist visit in Denver, CO
The first visit includes a review of your symptoms, smoking history, environmental exposures, and current medications. The pulmonologist will listen to your lungs and may order pulmonary function tests (PFTs), which measure how well your lungs move air and exchange oxygen. PFTs involve breathing into a mouthpiece in various patterns. You may also need imaging or a bronchoscopy depending on your symptoms.
Tips for Denver, CO patients
New patients should bring insurance cards and any recent lab work. Many Denver providers use the UCHealth or Denver Health patient portals, so ask which system your provider is in at check-in.
When to see a pulmonologist
See a pulmonologist for a chronic cough lasting more than eight weeks, shortness of breath that worsens over time, COPD management, severe or hard-to-control asthma, recurrent pneumonia, abnormal chest imaging (nodules, masses, scarring), coughing up blood, occupational lung exposures (asbestos, silica), or sleep-disordered breathing that a sleep study has confirmed.
Typical costs
Office visit copay: $30-75 · Pulmonary function test: $150-500 · Chest CT: $300-3,000 · Bronchoscopy: $1,500-5,000
Common reasons to see a pulmonologist in Denver, CO
Altitude affects everything from blood oxygen levels to medication absorption. If you recently moved to Denver, mention it to your doctor. UV exposure at 5,280 feet is roughly 25 percent stronger than at sea level, making annual skin checks a good idea.
Asthma
Pulmonologists manage moderate to severe asthma, perform pulmonary function testing, and develop treatment plans that reduce flares and keep your airways open.
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
COPD is a progressive lung condition most commonly caused by smoking. Pulmonologists prescribe inhalers, pulmonary rehabilitation, and oxygen therapy to slow progression and improve quality of life.
Sleep apnea
Loud snoring, gasping during sleep, and daytime exhaustion may indicate obstructive sleep apnea. Pulmonologists order sleep studies and manage CPAP therapy or other treatments.
Chronic cough
A cough that lasts more than eight weeks has a cause, whether it is acid reflux, postnasal drip, asthma, or something else. Pulmonologists work through the differential to find and treat it.
Interstitial lung disease
Pulmonary fibrosis and other interstitial lung diseases cause progressive scarring of the lungs. Pulmonologists manage these complex conditions with medication and monitoring to slow disease progression.
Browse pulmonologists by neighborhood in Denver
Alamo Placita(3856)Swallow Hill Historic District(3482)Belmont Heights(3345)Sherman Street Historic District(2626)Sandown(1566)Lower Highland(836)San Rafael Historic District(835)Mariposa District(578)East Highland(507)Clement(420)River North RiNo Art District(321)Quality Hill Historic District(311)Auraria
Frequently asked questions about pulmonologists in Denver, CO
Denver, CO has 119 licensed pulmonologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of pulmonologists in Denver, CO are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Colorado's ACA marketplace, Connect for Health Colorado, offers plans from Kaiser Permanente, Anthem, Cigna, and Friday Health Plans. Kaiser runs the largest closed network in the metro. Health First Colorado is the state Medicaid program, with managed care through Rocky Mountain Health Plans and Colorado Access.
An office visit copay is $30 to $75. Pulmonary function tests cost $150 to $500. A chest CT runs $300 to $3,000. A bronchoscopy costs $1,500 to $5,000. Actual costs in Denver, CO depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Brand-name inhalers can be expensive ($200 to $500 per month). Generic alternatives exist for many common inhalers. Ask your pulmonologist about cost-effective options and manufacturer savings programs.
Denver's provider network splits into three main systems: UCHealth (the academic powerhouse), Denver Health (the public safety-net), and SCL Health/Intermountain (community hospitals). Most specialists practice within one system, so your hospital preference often determines your specialist options.
MD stands for Doctor of Medicine and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Denver, CO, 85% hold the MD credential and 5% hold DO. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
70% of pulmonologists in Denver, CO accept Medicare. Medicare covers pulmonology visits, PFTs, and pulmonary rehabilitation (up to 36 sessions). Supplemental oxygen and nebulizers are covered under durable medical equipment. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
At 5,280 feet, Denver's altitude can affect medication dosing, recovery times, and respiratory conditions. Most Denver physicians are experienced with altitude-related adjustments. If you have a heart or lung condition and recently relocated, bring it up at your first appointment.
Kaiser runs a large closed network in the Denver metro with its own hospitals, urgent cares, and pharmacies. It works well if you prefer integrated care and don't mind staying within the Kaiser system. If you want flexibility to see providers across multiple hospital systems, an open-network plan gives you more options.
Nearby Cities
Other specialties in Denver
Insurance & Pulmonologist coverage
Top accepted carriers in Denver, CO include medicare, unitedhealthcare, qhp-68781, qhp-93078, and qhp-20305.
Pulmonology visits are covered as specialist visits. PFTs and imaging require prior authorization in many plans. Inhalers can be expensive, with brand-name combination inhalers costing $200 to $500 per month without insurance. Ask about generic alternatives and manufacturer copay programs. Pulmonary rehabilitation is covered by Medicare and most insurance plans with a physician order.
