Compare 364 neurologists in San Francisco, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
364
Neurologists
100%
Accepting patients
72%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
San Francisco punches well above its weight in healthcare. UCSF is a top-10 national hospital, and the city's 95%+ insurance coverage rate is among the highest anywhere. The tradeoff is cost: provider fees here reflect the city's overall cost of living, and even insured patients can face significant out-of-pocket expenses.
San Francisco has 364 neurologists. The most common credential is MD (72%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
SF is compact enough that most residents are within 20 minutes of a major hospital. UCSF's two main campuses (Parnassus and Mission Bay) anchor the western and eastern halves of the city. California Pacific Medical Center on Van Ness serves the northern neighborhoods. Muni and BART make car-free healthcare access genuinely possible here, which is unusual for a US city.
Providers practice throughout San Francisco. Mission District is a vibrant, diverse neighborhood with community health centers serving a large Latino population. Pacific Heights is an affluent neighborhood with concierge practices and proximity to CPMC and UCSF. SoMa is the South of Market area is close to Zuckerberg SF General, a Level I trauma center. Castro is a historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood with strong affirming care options and community clinics.
Nearby hospitals include UCSF Medical Center, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, and California Pacific Medical Center. Local training programs run through University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and University of San Francisco. UCSF Medical Center is among the top 10 hospitals in the nation, specializing in cancer and neurology.
A first neurology visit includes a detailed neurological exam: the doctor tests your reflexes, coordination, balance, strength, sensation, and memory. They will review your symptoms, medical history, and any imaging. Additional tests like an MRI, EEG (brain wave recording), or nerve conduction study may be ordered. Bring a list of all medications and a detailed description of your symptoms.
Many SF primary care practices are panel-closed, meaning they aren't accepting new patients. If you're new to the city, try UCSF's primary care network or One Medical (now part of Amazon), which has multiple SF locations and shorter wait times.
See a neurologist for frequent or severe headaches, seizures, tremors, memory problems, numbness or tingling that does not go away, unexplained dizziness or balance issues, vision changes not explained by an eye exam, difficulty walking, or any condition involving the brain or nervous system that your PCP wants evaluated further.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · EEG: $200-1,000 · MRI (brain): $1,000-3,000 · Nerve conduction study: $500-1,500
Fog and cool coastal air mean SF rarely has the air quality issues that affect inland California. Asthma rates are moderate. The bigger concern is seasonal respiratory viruses, which spread quickly in dense, transit-heavy neighborhoods.
Neurologists diagnose the type of headache, identify triggers, and prescribe preventive medications that reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. They also rule out secondary causes that need different treatment.
Neurologists diagnose seizure disorders through EEG testing and brain imaging, prescribe anti-seizure medications, and adjust treatment to achieve the best seizure control with the fewest side effects.
MS is a complex neurological condition that requires ongoing specialist management. Neurologists prescribe disease-modifying therapies, monitor progression with MRI, and coordinate multidisciplinary care.
Tremor, stiffness, and slowness of movement may point to Parkinson disease or another movement disorder. Neurologists provide accurate diagnosis and manage medications to optimize motor function.
Tingling, numbness, and burning pain in the hands or feet can result from diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, or autoimmune conditions. Neurologists identify the cause through nerve conduction studies and targeted testing.
San Francisco, CA has 364 licensed neurologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of neurologists in San Francisco, CA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
SF has Healthy San Francisco, a city program that provides basic healthcare access for uninsured residents regardless of immigration status. For employer coverage, Kaiser, Blue Shield, and Anthem are the most common carriers. Medi-Cal managed care runs through SF Health Plan. Covered California participation is strong.
Office visit copays range from $30 to $75. An EEG costs $200 to $1,000. A brain MRI runs $1,000 to $3,000. Nerve conduction studies range from $500 to $1,500. Actual costs in San Francisco, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Neurological tests like MRIs and EEGs usually require prior authorization. If you are prescribed newer migraine medications, ask your neurologist about manufacturer savings programs to lower costs.
In San Francisco, the main healthcare systems are UCSF Health (academic, highly specialized), Sutter/CPMC (broad community coverage across four campuses), Kaiser Permanente (closed network with its own facilities on Geary), and Zuckerberg SF General (the city's public safety-net hospital). Your insurance plan will often determine which system you use.
68% of neurologists in San Francisco, CA accept Medicare. Medicare covers neurology visits, EEGs, MRIs, and other diagnostic tests when medically indicated. Newer migraine treatments (CGRP inhibitors) are covered under Part D but may require step therapy. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some neurologists in San Francisco, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers neurology services in all states. Coverage for specific medications and diagnostic tests may vary. Prior authorization is common for newer medications and advanced imaging. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Medi-Cal participation before scheduling.
Healthy San Francisco is a city-funded program that provides healthcare access to uninsured San Francisco residents, including undocumented immigrants. It covers primary care, prescriptions, and hospital visits through the SF Department of Public Health network. It's not insurance, but it fills a real gap for residents who don't qualify for other coverage.
Many SF primary care panels are full, especially in popular neighborhoods like the Marina, Pacific Heights, and Noe Valley. UCSF and Sutter/CPMC periodically open new patient slots. One Medical and Carbon Health offer membership-based primary care with same-day availability. Community health centers also accept new patients on a rolling basis.
Top accepted carriers in San Francisco, CA include unitedhealthcare, medicare, centene, qhp-44228, and qhp-17091.
Neurology visits are covered under specialist benefits. Tests like MRIs and EEGs usually require prior authorization from your insurance company. Many neurological conditions qualify as chronic conditions, which may mean lower out-of-pocket costs under your plan. Newer migraine medications (CGRP inhibitors) can be expensive. Ask your neurologist about insurance coverage and manufacturer savings programs.