Compare 17 nuclear medicine physicians in Sacramento, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
17
Nuclear Medicine Physicians
100%
Accepting patients
88%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Sacramento is California's capital and its quiet healthcare anchor for the Central Valley. UC Davis Medical Center gives the region academic-caliber care, while Sutter, Dignity Health, and Kaiser form a competitive triad that keeps the metro well-served. It's a city where you can see a specialist without the wait times or costs of the Bay Area.
Sacramento has 17 nuclear medicine physicians. The most common credential is MD (88%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Sacramento's grid layout makes healthcare navigation simpler than in most California metros. The medical corridor along Stockton Boulevard near UC Davis Medical Center is the densest provider zone. Sutter Medical Center sits in Midtown, and Mercy General anchors the Arden-Arcade area off Highway 50. Suburban patients in Elk Grove, Roseville, and Folsom have satellite facilities from all three major systems.
Providers practice throughout Sacramento. Midtown is a walkable grid with Sutter Medical Center and numerous specialist offices along J and K Streets. East Sacramento is a tree-lined residential area with family practices and close proximity to UC Davis Medical Center. Land Park is a central neighborhood near Sutter and Mercy hospitals, popular with families. Natomas is a newer suburban area in north Sacramento with Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health outpatient centers.
Nearby hospitals include UC Davis Medical Center, Sutter Medical Center Sacramento, and Mercy General Hospital. Local training programs run through University of California, Davis (nearby) and California State University, Sacramento. Sacramento is home to the UC Davis Medical Center, a Level I trauma center and academic medical hub.
For a diagnostic scan, a technologist injects a small amount of radioactive tracer into your vein. After a waiting period (which varies by study), you lie on a scanning table while a camera detects the tracer's distribution in your body. The scan itself is painless. The nuclear medicine physician interprets the images and sends a report to your doctor. Radiation exposure is low and the tracer is eliminated naturally within hours to days.
If you're moving to Sacramento from the Bay Area, you'll find it easier to get a new-patient appointment here. Most primary care practices are accepting patients. The UC Davis system is the go-to for complex or rare conditions, while Sutter and Kaiser handle the bulk of routine care.
You typically do not see a nuclear medicine physician directly. Your treating doctor orders nuclear medicine studies when needed. Common reasons include cancer staging (PET/CT), evaluating thyroid function, assessing blood flow to the heart (cardiac stress test), detecting bone metastases or fractures (bone scan), and evaluating kidney function. For radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid disease, you will consult with a nuclear medicine or endocrinology specialist.
PET/CT scan: $1,000-6,000 · Bone scan: $500-2,000 · Thyroid uptake scan: $200-1,000 · Cardiac nuclear stress test: $500-3,000
Sacramento, CA has 17 licensed nuclear medicine physicians. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of nuclear medicine physicians in Sacramento, CA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Sacramento employers commonly offer Kaiser, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Sutter Health Plus (a regional HMO). Medi-Cal managed care in Sacramento County runs through Anthem, Molina, and Health Net. Covered California has broad plan availability here, with competitive pricing compared to Bay Area markets.
A PET/CT scan costs $1,000 to $6,000. A bone scan runs $500 to $2,000. A thyroid uptake scan costs $200 to $1,000. A cardiac nuclear stress test ranges from $500 to $3,000. Actual costs in Sacramento, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. PET scans almost always require prior authorization. Ensure the imaging center is in-network and that authorization is obtained before the study. Outpatient imaging centers may offer lower costs than hospital-based facilities.
Sacramento has four major healthcare systems: UC Davis Health (academic, Level I trauma), Sutter Health (largest by market share, multiple campuses), Dignity Health/CommonSpirit (Mercy General and Mercy hospitals), and Kaiser Permanente (closed network with facilities in several Sacramento neighborhoods). Choosing one system for primary care and specialists keeps your records in one place.
29% of nuclear medicine physicians in Sacramento, CA accept Medicare. Medicare covers nuclear medicine studies when medically indicated. PET scans for cancer require prior authorization and must meet specific clinical criteria. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some nuclear medicine physicians in Sacramento, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers nuclear medicine studies in all states when medically necessary. Prior authorization is standard for PET scans and expensive studies. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Medi-Cal participation before scheduling.
Generally, yes. Provider fees, copays for non-Kaiser plans, and out-of-pocket costs tend to be 15-25% lower in Sacramento than in San Francisco or San Jose. Housing costs for healthcare workers are also lower, which supports a more stable provider workforce.
UC Davis Medical Center is the region's only Level I trauma center and the destination for the most serious injuries and complex emergencies. For standard ER visits, Sutter Medical Center in Midtown, Mercy General in Arden-Arcade, and Kaiser South Sacramento all have emergency departments.
Top accepted carriers in Sacramento, CA include medicare, unitedhealthcare, and qhp-74917.
Nuclear medicine studies are covered under diagnostic imaging benefits. PET/CT scans almost always require prior authorization from your insurance company. Studies must be deemed medically necessary. Some insurers restrict PET scan coverage to specific cancer types or clinical scenarios. Verify authorization before the study to avoid unexpected costs.