General Surgeons in Los Angeles, CA
Compare 523 general surgeons in Los Angeles, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
523
General Surgeons
100%
Accepting patients
82%
Most common: MD
Top-Rated General Surgeons in Los Angeles, CA
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Specialty: general-surgeonState: CACity: Los Angeles
About general surgeons in Los Angeles, CA
LA doesn't have one healthcare system. It has dozens, layered across a metro that stretches 60 miles in every direction. The result is extraordinary depth of specialty care, especially around Cedars-Sinai, UCLA, and Keck, but finding the right provider often means navigating competing hospital networks and long drive times.
Los Angeles has 523 general surgeons. The most common credential is MD (82%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Most healthcare trips in LA are car trips. The Medical Center corridor along Beverly Boulevard and the Westwood cluster around UCLA are the two densest provider hubs. Patients on the Eastside rely on Keck and LA County+USC, while the Valley routes through Providence hospitals in Burbank and Mission Hills. Budget an extra 20 minutes for parking at any major campus.
Providers practice throughout Los Angeles. Beverly Hills is known for cosmetic and specialty practices, with easy access to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Santa Monica is providence Saint John's Health Center anchors healthcare in this beachside community. Hollywood is providers along Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset serve a large, diverse community with several urgent care options. Westwood is home to UCLA Medical Center, one of the top-ranked hospitals in the country.
Nearby hospitals include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center, and Keck Hospital of USC. Local training programs run through University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Southern California (USC). Los Angeles County has over 30,000 licensed physicians, one of the highest concentrations in the country.
What to expect at your first general surgeon visit in Los Angeles, CA
The consultation includes a review of your symptoms, imaging, and lab results. The surgeon will perform a focused physical exam and discuss whether surgery is recommended, what the procedure involves, risks and benefits, expected recovery time, and alternatives. Many general surgery procedures are now done laparoscopically (small incisions, camera-guided), meaning shorter hospital stays and faster recovery than traditional open surgery.
Tips for Los Angeles, CA patients
Ask which hospital system your new doctor is affiliated with before your first visit. Referrals within UCLA Health, Cedars-Sinai, or Keck stay inside those networks, and crossing between them can mean starting over with new patient paperwork.
When to see a general surgeon
See a general surgeon for gallbladder problems (gallstones), hernias (inguinal, umbilical, incisional), appendicitis, breast lumps or biopsies, colon polyps too large for endoscopic removal, skin lesions requiring excision, thyroid nodules requiring surgery, abscesses needing drainage, and any abdominal condition your doctor believes needs surgical evaluation.
Typical costs
Consultation copay: $30-75 · Gallbladder removal: $5,000-15,000 · Hernia repair: $3,000-10,000 · Appendectomy: $5,000-20,000
Frequently asked questions about general surgeons in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA has 523 licensed general surgeons. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of general surgeons in Los Angeles, CA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Covered California enrollment is strong in LA County, with LA Care and Health Net as the dominant Medi-Cal managed care plans. Many private employers offer Blue Shield, Anthem, or Kaiser. If you're on Medi-Cal, check whether your provider accepts LA Care or Health Net specifically, as not all do.
A surgical consultation copay is $40 to $75. Hernia repair costs $3,000 to $7,000 (facility + surgeon). Gallbladder removal runs $5,000 to $12,000. Appendectomy costs $5,000 to $15,000. Actual costs in Los Angeles, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Surgical costs involve multiple bills: surgeon fee, anesthesiologist fee, facility fee, pathology, and possibly assistant surgeon. Ask for a bundled estimate in advance. Out-of-network anesthesiologists at in-network facilities are a common surprise bill.
In LA, the biggest factor in finding the right provider is hospital network. UCLA Health, Cedars-Sinai, and Keck/USC each operate extensive outpatient systems across the metro. Choosing a primary care doctor within your preferred network makes specialist referrals much smoother.
58% of general surgeons in Los Angeles, CA accept Medicare. Medicare Part B covers surgical consultations, and Part A covers inpatient surgical procedures. The surgeon's fee, anesthesia, and facility charges are typically separate bills. Standard deductible and coinsurance apply. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some general surgeons in Los Angeles, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers medically necessary surgeries. Prior authorization is often required. Coverage includes the surgeon fee, facility, and anesthesia. Verify your plan covers the specific facility. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Medi-Cal participation before scheduling.
It's not required, but it helps. LA's major systems (UCLA, Cedars-Sinai, Keck/USC, Providence) each have their own referral networks, patient portals, and imaging centers. Staying within one system reduces duplicate tests and simplifies specialist referrals.
LA County has providers who speak over 90 languages. Korean-speaking providers cluster in Koreatown, Armenian-speaking in Glendale, Spanish-speaking across much of East and South LA, and Mandarin/Cantonese-speaking in the San Gabriel Valley. Use FindClarity's language filters to narrow your search.
Nearby Cities
Other specialties in Los Angeles
Insurance & General Surgeon coverage
Top accepted carriers in Los Angeles, CA include medicare, unitedhealthcare, centene, qhp-33602, and qhp-44228.
Surgical consultations and procedures are covered under medical insurance. Most surgeries require prior authorization. Verify that both the surgeon and the surgical facility (hospital or ambulatory surgery center) are in-network. Ambulatory surgery centers often have lower facility fees than hospitals for the same procedure. Ask about total estimated costs including surgeon, facility, and anesthesia fees.