Urgent Care That Takes Colorado Medicaid: What to Bring and What It Costs
AfterOurs takes Colorado Medicaid at all four metro Denver clinics. What to bring, how billing works, and when urgent care is the right place to go.
Yes, you can use Colorado Medicaid at urgent care, and at AfterOurs you can. We contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare, so if you're looking for an urgent care that takes Colorado Medicaid near you in metro Denver, you can walk in or book at any of our four clinics. Here's what to bring, what it costs, and when urgent care is the right place to go.
Does AfterOurs take Colorado Medicaid?
Yes. Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado) is one of the government plans we contract with, along with Medicare. We see Colorado Medicaid members of all ages, from babies to grandparents, for the same sick and injury visits as anyone else.
One detail matters: our contract is with Colorado Medicaid specifically. If your Medicaid card is from another state's program rather than Colorado's, we may not be in network for it. Tell the front desk when you check in, and we'll talk through your options, including our self-pay rates, before you're seen.
What to bring to your visit
A little preparation makes check-in faster:
- Your Health First Colorado card. Bring the card for the person being seen, including for each child.
- A photo ID for the adult patient, or for the parent or guardian bringing a child.
- A list of current medicines and allergies. A photo of your pill bottles on your phone works.
- Your pharmacy's name and location, so any prescription goes to the right place.
- Anything related to the problem, like discharge papers, an earlier test result or a school or work form that needs filling out.
What does urgent care cost with Colorado Medicaid?
What you pay at the visit is set by your plan, not by us. Your benefits decide whether there's a copay, so check with Health First Colorado or your health plan if you're unsure.
Here's how billing works with any insurance at AfterOurs: we collect any copay at the visit, file the claim with your plan, and after the plan processes it you get an invoice for anything that's left.
If you're not covered, or your coverage doesn't apply, our self-pay prices are posted up front. Self-pay in-clinic visits are $175 for a standard visit, $250 with one moderate service such as an X-ray or a breathing treatment, and $330 for a procedure or two moderate services. A telehealth visit is $75 self-pay.
What about commercial insurance and Medicare?
We contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare. With commercial plans, we can't guarantee that your specific plan has us in network, because insurers build narrow networks without always telling clinics. If your plan turns out to be out of network, or your benefits are denied, we bill you at our self-pay rates instead of a higher out-of-network charge.
When is urgent care the right choice?
Urgent care is a good fit for problems that need attention today but aren't life-threatening. Common reasons people come in:
- Fever, cough, sore throat, ear pain and sinus symptoms, with rapid strep, flu and COVID-19 testing when a clinician thinks it will help
- Urinary symptoms, rashes, and eye or skin infections
- Sprains, minor burns, and cuts that may need stitches
- Possible minor fractures and splinting
For an emergency, go to the ER. Colorado Medicaid covers emergency care, and an emergency is not the time to worry about which door is cheaper.
Call 911 or go to the ER if you or your child has chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech), fainting or confusion, severe bleeding that won't stop with pressure, a serious head injury, a seizure, or a baby under 3 months with a fever.
Is urgent care better than the ER for Colorado Medicaid members?
For non-emergency problems, often yes. Urgent care is usually quicker, and it keeps the ER free for emergencies. It's also a good option when your regular doctor can't see you today, or it's evening or the weekend. All four AfterOurs clinics are open until 11 PM, and se habla español.
If you have a primary care doctor, let them know about the visit so they can follow up.
Where to find us
Four clinics across metro Denver, all ages welcome, se habla español:
- Hampden (Southeast Denver): 8 AM–11 PM daily
- Littleton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
- Thornton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
- Highlands: Mon–Fri 5–11 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM–11 PM
Walk in, or book online.
Medically reviewed by Peter Martinuzzi, MD
This article is general health information, not medical advice for your situation. If you are worried, come in or book a telehealth visit — and if it is an emergency, call 911.