Compare 76 plastic surgeons in San Diego, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
76
Plastic Surgeons
100%
Accepting patients
91%
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 76 plastic surgeons. The most common credential is MD (91%). 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 physical exam and a candid discussion of your goals. For reconstructive cases, the surgeon reviews your medical history and coordinates with your other physicians. For cosmetic cases, they explain what is achievable, show before-and-after photos of similar cases, discuss technique options, and outline risks. You will receive a detailed cost estimate. Most consultations for cosmetic procedures have a fee ($50 to $200) that may be applied toward surgery.
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 plastic surgeon for breast reconstruction after cancer surgery, skin cancer excision and reconstruction, hand injuries (fractures, tendon repair, nerve repair), scar revision after trauma or surgery, burn reconstruction, cleft lip and palate repair, carpal tunnel release, and cosmetic procedures. For cosmetic concerns, consultations are the time to discuss goals, realistic outcomes, and costs.
Consultation: $50-200 · Breast reconstruction: covered by insurance · Rhinoplasty (cosmetic): $5,000-15,000 · Tummy tuck: $6,000-12,000 · Facelift: $7,000-15,000
San Diego, CA has 76 licensed plastic surgeons. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of plastic surgeons 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 costs $100 to $250. Breast reconstruction costs $5,000 to $15,000 per stage (often covered by insurance). Rhinoplasty costs $5,000 to $10,000 cosmetic. Skin graft procedures cost $3,000 to $10,000. Actual costs in San Diego, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Reconstructive surgery for medical conditions (post-cancer, congenital defects, trauma) is generally covered by insurance. The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act requires insurers to cover breast reconstruction. Cosmetic procedures are paid out of pocket. Many surgeons offer payment plans.
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.
61% of plastic surgeons in San Diego, CA accept Medicare. Medicare covers reconstructive plastic surgery when medically necessary, such as breast reconstruction after mastectomy or skin grafts after burns. Cosmetic procedures are not covered. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some plastic surgeons in San Diego, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers reconstructive surgery deemed medically necessary. Prior authorization is typically required. Cosmetic procedures are excluded from coverage. 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, cigna, qhp-58944, and qhp-53901.
Reconstructive plastic surgery is covered by medical insurance when medically necessary. The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act requires insurance to cover breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Cosmetic procedures are self-pay. Many plastic surgery offices offer financing through third-party companies (CareCredit, Prosper Healthcare Lending). Get a written estimate of all costs before proceeding.