Compare 248 general surgeons in Charleston, SC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
248
General Surgeons
100%
Accepting patients
81%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Charleston is a healthcare city built around MUSC, the oldest medical school in the South and the state's only comprehensive academic medical center. Roper St. Francis provides the community hospital alternative, while Trident Medical Center handles the growing North Charleston and Summerville populations. MUSC's research engine and the city's biomedical startup ecosystem have made Charleston an increasingly serious player in health innovation.
Charleston has 248 general surgeons. The most common credential is MD (81%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Downtown Charleston (South of Broad), Mount Pleasant (nearby), West Ashley, and King Street.
MUSC's campus sits on the peninsula in downtown Charleston, just north of Calhoun Street. Roper Hospital is also on the peninsula, while Bon Secours St. Francis and Trident Medical Center serve West Ashley, North Charleston, and the surrounding suburbs. Mount Pleasant, across the Cooper River, has its own cluster of outpatient practices and an MUSC satellite. The Ravenel Bridge connects the peninsula to Mount Pleasant, but rush-hour traffic makes that crossing unpredictable.
Nearby hospitals include MUSC Health University Medical Center, Roper St. Francis Hospital, and Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. Local training programs run through Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and College of Charleston. MUSC is South Carolina's only comprehensive academic medical center and Level I trauma center.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina dominates the commercial market. South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, so coverage gaps are wider here than in many states. For marketplace plans, BCBS, Ambetter, and Molina are the primary options. MUSC accepts most major insurance plans and serves as the region's largest Medicaid provider. 41% accept Medicare.
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.
MUSC primary care clinics can have wait times of two to three weeks for new patients. Roper St. Francis Physician Partners tends to schedule faster for routine care. Always call ahead to confirm insurance acceptance.
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.
Consultation copay: $30-75 · Gallbladder removal: $5,000-15,000 · Hernia repair: $3,000-10,000 · Appendectomy: $5,000-20,000
Charleston, SC has 248 licensed general surgeons. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of general surgeons in Charleston, SC are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina is the largest carrier in the state. Medicaid in South Carolina has not been expanded, so the uninsured rate is higher than the national average. MUSC operates as the primary safety-net provider for the region. For marketplace plans, BCBS, Ambetter (Centene), and Molina are the main options.
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 Charleston, SC 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.
MUSC is the default for subspecialty and complex care, but Roper St. Francis offers a strong alternative for primary care and common procedures. North Charleston and Summerville residents often use Trident Medical Center to avoid peninsula traffic. Mount Pleasant has a growing number of satellite clinics from both MUSC and Roper.
MD stands for Doctor of Medicine and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Charleston, SC, 81% hold the MD credential and 6% hold DO. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
41% of general surgeons in Charleston, SC 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.
Yes. MUSC accepts both self-referrals and physician referrals for most departments. Some subspecialty clinics prefer a referral, but primary care, urgent care, and many specialty clinics allow direct scheduling.
Mount Pleasant has a growing number of outpatient practices, including MUSC and Roper satellite clinics, urgent care centers, and independent specialist offices. For inpatient care and complex procedures, you will likely need to cross the bridge to the peninsula.
Top accepted carriers in Charleston, SC include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-73107, qhp-26065, and molina.
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.