Same-day care for the
San Luis Valley.
And telehealth for everyone else.
Acute appointments for UTIs, sinus infections, rashes, cold and flu, prescription refills, and other minor concerns — at a fraction of the cost of urgent care. Same-day in Alamosa with in-house labs, or via telehealth anywhere in Colorado.
Hormone therapy or weight loss patients. One flat fee per acute visit.
New patients or existing patients in unrelated service categories.
Most acute care doesn't need a $200 urgent care visit, a four-hour ED wait, or a multi-day delay to see your primary care doctor. It needs a clinician, a quick conversation, and the right prescription. We built this service to deliver exactly that.
We've spent years taking care of patients on hormone therapy, weight loss programs, and other long-term wellness protocols. The relationship is real — we know your history, your medications, your labs. So when something acute comes up — a UTI, a sinus infection, a strange rash, a cold that won't quit — it's faster and cheaper to come back to us than to start over with someone who doesn't know you.
For new patients, we're extending the same access. The clinical work is the same. The pricing reflects that this is a single visit, not an ongoing relationship — though if it turns into one, we'd be glad.
What this is (and isn't) for.
To make this work, we need to be clear about what acute care covers — and where it doesn't. The list below isn't exhaustive, but it covers most of what we see.
Appropriate for Acute Care
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Sinus infections, sinusitis
- Cold, flu, COVID symptoms
- Sore throat, strep evaluation
- Bronchitis, cough, congestion
- Ear infections, ear pain
- Pink eye, eye irritation
- Skin rashes, hives, mild allergic reactions
- Cold sores, oral lesions
- Yeast infections, BV evaluation
- GI issues — nausea, diarrhea, constipation
- Migraines, tension headaches
- Minor injuries, strains
- Insomnia, short-term sleep issues
- Brief anxiety or stress evaluation
- Prescription refills (non-controlled)
- Travel medicine consultations
- School/work notes for illness
Go to ED or Urgent Care
- Chest pain, heart attack symptoms
- Stroke symptoms (FAST signs)
- Severe abdominal pain
- Difficulty breathing, severe wheezing
- Severe bleeding
- Suspected fractures or dislocations
- Head injuries with concerning symptoms
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
- Severe burns
- Severe allergic reactions, anaphylaxis
- Mental health crisis or self-harm risk
- Suspected appendicitis
- High fever in infants under 3 months
- Suicidal ideation
- Anything you'd reasonably call 911 for
If you're not sure where you fall
Book the acute visit. We'll evaluate quickly via telehealth, and if you need a higher level of care, we'll tell you immediately and help you get there. We don't charge if we determine within the first few minutes that you need the ED or urgent care instead.
How the $69 / $99 works.
$69 — existing patients.
If you're a current TRT, BHRT, or medical weight loss patient — your acute visit is $69. Period. No add-ons, no facility fees, no surprises. The price covers the visit itself. Lab work, IV therapy, and other testing are additional costs at our transparent rates. Imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, etc.) requires a referral to an outside imaging center.
$99 — everyone else.
For new patients, or existing patients in unrelated service categories (aesthetics, IV therapy, etc.), the visit is $99. Same clinical care, same providers — just reflects that there's no existing relationship discount.
What's included.
- 15-30 minute appointment with a licensed provider
- Clinical evaluation and recommendations
- Prescriptions sent to your pharmacy of choice (when appropriate)
- Brief follow-up message if needed
What's not included.
- Lab work — done in-house for Alamosa patients, or through a partner lab for telehealth patients. Either way, billed separately at transparent rates.
- IV therapy and other testing — additional cost beyond the visit fee
- Imaging — X-ray, ultrasound, etc. require referral to an outside imaging center
- Procedures requiring in-person evaluation if you're booking telehealth
- Controlled substances, which require an established treatment relationship
Where this is available.
In-person acute visits — Alamosa.
Same-day in-person appointments at our Alamosa location. We know San Luis Valley residents are tired of driving four hours for a UTI. Local acute care that's faster and cheaper than the alternatives is what we built this for first.
One advantage of being seen in Alamosa: we run labs in-house. UTI dipsticks, urine cultures, strep tests, basic blood work, and other point-of-care testing happens during your visit, not on a referral to a separate facility. You leave with answers, not a follow-up appointment to get answers.
Telehealth — Colorado.
Telehealth acute visits available throughout Colorado. Same-day in most cases. No driving, no waiting room, no exposure to whatever the rest of urgent care is dealing with.
Telehealth patients who need lab work will be sent to a partner lab (Quest, LabCorp, or local) — labs aren't done in-house remotely. We're keeping out-of-state telehealth on hold for now while we get the Colorado launch right; we may expand to additional states later.
Some acute issues genuinely require an in-person evaluation (certain rashes, ear infections that need otoscope evaluation, anything we can't see clearly via video). If we determine that during your telehealth visit, we'll either refer you appropriately or — if you're in Alamosa or Centennial — bring you in.
Four steps. Same day.
Book online
Pick acute visit. Choose telehealth or Alamosa in-person. Most appointments same-day.
Brief intake
Quick form about what's going on. Add a photo if relevant (rashes, etc.).
See a provider
15-30 min visit. Real clinical evaluation, not a checkbox script.
Get prescribed
Prescriptions sent to your pharmacy. Brief follow-up message if needed.
Book an acute visit.
$69 for existing hormone or weight loss patients. $99 for new patients. Same-day in Alamosa or via telehealth across Colorado.
Acute Care FAQs.
What counts as an "existing patient" for the $69 price?
If you're currently in our hormone therapy or medical weight loss programs, you qualify for $69. That includes TRT, BHRT, women's hormone therapy, and semaglutide or tirzepatide patients. Patients in other Defiance services (aesthetics, IV therapy, etc.) book at the $99 rate unless they're also in a hormone or weight loss program.
How fast can I be seen?
Most acute appointments are same-day. Book online, complete the brief intake, and you'll typically be on a video call or in our Alamosa office within a few hours. After-hours and weekends have limited availability — if it's truly urgent and we can't see you in time, we'll tell you immediately so you can pursue urgent care or the ED instead.
Can you prescribe controlled substances during an acute visit?
No. Controlled substances (Schedule II-V) require an established treatment relationship and an in-person visit per state and federal regulations. If you need a controlled substance for an acute issue, we'll refer you appropriately or — for existing patients with established relationships — manage it through the regular protocol, not the acute care pathway.
Do you accept insurance for acute visits?
No. Defiance Health is a cash-pay practice. We don't bill insurance directly, but we can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. The acute visit fee is HSA/FSA eligible since it's a medical service.
What if I need labs or imaging?
If you're seen in person at Alamosa, most lab work is done in-house — UTI dipsticks, urine cultures, strep tests, basic blood panels, and other point-of-care testing happens during your visit. You leave with answers. If you're seen via telehealth, we'll send the order to a partner lab near you (Quest, LabCorp, or local). Either way, lab fees are billed separately at transparent rates and we'll tell you the cost before you commit. IV therapy and additional testing are not included in the visit fee. Imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, CT) requires a referral to an outside imaging center.
What if I need an in-person evaluation but I'm not near Alamosa?
If we determine during a telehealth acute visit that you need in-person care, we'll refer you to local urgent care or your primary care provider with our recommendations. For Defiance patients near our Centennial location, we can sometimes accommodate same-day in-person visits there as well — ask during booking. Telehealth acute visits are currently available throughout Colorado only; we plan to expand to additional states once the launch is established.
Can I use this for follow-up on a previous visit?
For follow-up on existing services (TRT, BHRT, weight loss), use your regular appointment pathway — those are different visit types. The acute service is for new acute issues that come up between regular appointments. If you're not sure which to book, our team can help you figure it out when you call.
Is the visit really only $69 or $99 — no other fees?
Yes. The flat fee covers the visit itself. The only things billed separately are labs, imaging, or prescription medication costs (which go to your pharmacy, not us). There are no facility fees, no add-ons, no surprise bills.
Can I book a friend or family member?
Each patient needs their own appointment under their own intake — but new patients book directly at the $99 rate without needing to be referred. Word-of-mouth from existing patients is how this service is going to grow.
Will you keep me as a regular patient after an acute visit?
Only if you want us to. The acute visit is a single transaction — there's no obligation, no automatic enrollment. If during the visit we identify something that warrants a longer-term conversation (hormonal symptoms, weight management, etc.), we'll mention it and you can decide whether to pursue it. No pressure either way.
What about kids?
Acute care is currently available for adults 18 and older. We don't yet have pediatric-specific protocols. For minors, please use a pediatric urgent care or your child's pediatrician.
How do I book?
Book online (link below), or call (719) 480-2400. Online is faster — most patients are scheduled within a few minutes of clicking "Book an Acute Visit."