Compare 45 geriatricians in San Diego, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
45
Geriatricians
100%
Accepting patients
80%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
San Diego's healthcare runs on three competing systems: UC San Diego Health, Scripps Health, and Sharp HealthCare. Between them, they cover the county pretty thoroughly. The biotech corridor in Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley also means clinical trials are unusually accessible here for a city this size.
San Diego has 45 geriatricians. The most common credential is MD (80%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
San Diego sprawls north-south along the coast, so healthcare access depends heavily on which part of the county you live in. The Hillcrest-Mission Valley corridor is the densest medical zone. North County residents look to Scripps Encinitas and Palomar Health in Escondido. South Bay patients use Sharp Chula Vista or cross into the Hillcrest hub. The trolley connects downtown to some hospital areas, but most patients drive.
Providers practice throughout San Diego. La Jolla is uC San Diego Health and Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla make this a hub for specialty and research-driven care. Gaslamp Quarter is downtown providers serve the urban core, with Sharp Memorial and UC San Diego Health a short drive away. Pacific Beach is a younger, active community with walk-in clinics and easy access to Scripps and Sharp hospital systems. Hillcrest is home to Scripps Mercy Hospital and a strong network of LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare providers.
Nearby hospitals include UC San Diego Health, Scripps Mercy Hospital, and Sharp Memorial Hospital. Local training programs run through University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and San Diego State University. San Diego is a major biotech hub with over 1,100 life sciences companies in the region.
The first visit is typically longer than a standard appointment, often 60 to 90 minutes. The geriatrician will perform a comprehensive assessment that includes a medication review, cognitive screening, functional assessment (ability to perform daily activities), fall risk evaluation, and discussion of goals and priorities. They may also assess mood, nutrition, and social support. The goal is a whole-person care plan, not just a list of diagnoses.
If you're new to San Diego, pick a primary care doctor within one of the three big systems (UCSD, Scripps, or Sharp) before you need one. Walk-in urgent care is widely available, but establishing a PCP makes specialist access much faster.
Consider seeing a geriatrician if you or an older family member is managing five or more medications, experiencing memory problems or cognitive decline, having frequent falls, dealing with multiple chronic conditions that are difficult to manage together, facing decisions about independent living, needing coordination of complex medical care, or wanting to discuss advance care planning.
Office visit copay: $20-50 · Comprehensive geriatric assessment: covered under Medicare · Cognitive testing: $100-500 · Fall risk assessment: typically included in visit
San Diego, CA has 45 licensed geriatricians. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of geriatricians in San Diego, CA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
An office visit copay is $20 to $50. The Annual Wellness Visit is $0 under Medicare. Comprehensive geriatric assessments are covered under Medicare. Cognitive testing costs $100 to $500. Actual costs in San Diego, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Geriatricians often focus on deprescribing (stopping unnecessary medications), which can reduce pharmacy costs. The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit includes a health risk assessment and care planning at no cost.
San Diego healthcare is dominated by three systems: UC San Diego Health (academic, research-focused), Scripps Health (five hospital campuses, strong cardiology), and Sharp HealthCare (the largest system by patient volume). Most specialists are affiliated with one of these three, so your choice of PCP often determines your referral path.
MD stands for Doctor of Medicine and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Both are equivalent qualifications. In San Diego, CA, 80% hold the MD credential and 7% hold DO. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
53% of geriatricians in San Diego, CA accept Medicare. Medicare covers geriatric visits, the Annual Wellness Visit (no cost), chronic care management services, and advance care planning discussions. These are among the most well-covered services under Medicare. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some geriatricians in San Diego, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers geriatric services in all states. Dual-eligible patients (Medicare + Medicaid) have comprehensive coverage for geriatric care coordination. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Medi-Cal participation before scheduling.
San Diego has one of the highest concentrations of TRICARE-accepting providers in the country, given the large military presence (Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar). Most major systems and many independent practices accept TRICARE Prime and Select.
North County (Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Escondido) has grown faster than its healthcare infrastructure. Scripps Encinitas and Palomar Health are the main hospital systems. Primary care wait times can be longer than in central San Diego, especially for new patients. Urgent care centers fill some of the gap.
Geriatric visits are covered as primary care or specialist visits depending on the billing arrangement. Medicare covers the Annual Wellness Visit, which aligns well with geriatric assessment goals. Comprehensive geriatric assessments may be billed as prolonged visits. Some Medicare Advantage plans have enhanced benefits for geriatric care coordination.