Compare 151 oncologists in San Diego, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
151
Oncologists
100%
Accepting patients
81%
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 151 oncologists. The most common credential is MD (81%). 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 oncology visit takes 60 to 90 minutes. The oncologist will review your pathology reports, imaging, and medical history in detail. They will explain the type and stage of cancer, outline treatment options (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or a combination), discuss expected side effects, and answer your questions. Many patients bring a family member or friend for support and to help remember details.
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 an oncologist after a cancer diagnosis or if cancer is suspected based on biopsy results, imaging, or blood work. Your primary care doctor or the physician who found the abnormality will refer you. Some patients also see oncologists for genetic cancer risk counseling if they have a strong family history. Do not delay scheduling after a referral, as early treatment improves outcomes for most cancers.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · Chemotherapy cycle: $1,000-12,000+ · Immunotherapy cycle: $5,000-20,000+ · PET scan: $1,000-6,000
San Diego, CA has 151 licensed oncologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of oncologists 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.
An office visit copay is $30 to $75. A chemotherapy cycle costs $1,000 to $12,000 or more. Immunotherapy cycles cost $5,000 to $20,000 or more. A PET scan runs $1,000 to $6,000. Actual costs in San Diego, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Cancer treatment costs can be substantial even with insurance. Every major cancer center has financial counselors who can help navigate insurance, manufacturer assistance programs, and nonprofit grants. Ask for financial counseling early in treatment, not after bills arrive.
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.
75% of oncologists in San Diego, CA accept Medicare. Medicare covers cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation. Cancer screenings (mammograms, colonoscopies) are covered at no cost. Oral cancer drugs are covered under Part D. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some oncologists in San Diego, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers cancer treatment in all states. The Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act provides Medicaid eligibility for women diagnosed through screening programs. 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, qhp-98185, and qhp-56707.
Cancer treatment is covered under medical insurance, but costs can be substantial. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy may be covered under medical benefits (infusion) or pharmacy benefits (oral drugs). Prior authorization is required for most cancer medications. Ask about financial counseling services at your cancer center. Manufacturer copay programs, nonprofit grants, and hospital financial assistance can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.