Compare 81 neurosurgeons in San Diego, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
81
Neurosurgeons
100%
Accepting patients
79%
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 81 neurosurgeons. The most common credential is MD (79%). 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 consultation includes a neurological exam and detailed review of your imaging (MRI, CT). The neurosurgeon will explain whether surgery is recommended, what the procedure involves, the expected outcome, and the risks. They may recommend trying conservative treatments first (physical therapy, injections, medication) before operating. For elective procedures, you will have time to ask questions and seek a second opinion if desired.
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.
See a neurosurgeon for brain tumors, herniated discs causing nerve compression, spinal stenosis not improving with conservative treatment, spinal fractures or instability, brain aneurysms, trigeminal neuralgia, carpal tunnel syndrome (when surgery is needed), hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation, and traumatic injuries to the brain or spine. Your neurologist, PCP, or ER physician will typically make the referral.
Consultation copay: $30-75 · Discectomy: $15,000-50,000 · Spinal fusion: $25,000-100,000+ · Brain tumor removal: $50,000-150,000+
San Diego, CA has 81 licensed neurosurgeons. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of neurosurgeons 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.
Employer plans in San Diego lean toward Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Kaiser (which operates its own facilities in Kearny Mesa and Clairemont). Medi-Cal is managed through San Diego County's Health and Human Services. Covered California offers multiple plan options, with Molina and Blue Shield as common choices.
A consultation copay is $50 to $100. Spinal fusion costs $20,000 to $80,000. Brain tumor surgery costs $30,000 to $100,000+. Carpal tunnel release costs $2,000 to $5,000. Actual costs in San Diego, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Neurosurgery is among the most expensive surgical specialties. Multiple bills are standard: surgeon, assistant surgeon, anesthesia, facility, implants (spinal hardware), and neuromonitoring. Get pre-authorization and ask about in-network status for all providers involved in the case.
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.
68% of neurosurgeons in San Diego, CA accept Medicare. Medicare covers medically necessary neurosurgery, including spinal procedures, brain tumor removal, and treatment for conditions like trigeminal neuralgia. Facility and anesthesia fees are separate. Standard cost-sharing applies. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some neurosurgeons in San Diego, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers medically necessary neurosurgical procedures. Prior authorization is almost always required. Coverage includes surgeon, facility, and anesthesia costs. 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.
Top accepted carriers in San Diego, CA include medicare, unitedhealthcare, qhp-58944, molina, and centene.
Neurosurgery is covered under medical insurance when medically indicated. Prior authorization is required for nearly all elective neurosurgical procedures. Verify that the neurosurgeon, the hospital, and the anesthesiologist are all in-network. Spine surgery and brain surgery are among the most expensive procedures in medicine. Request a detailed cost estimate and confirm your out-of-pocket maximum.