Compare 29 respiratory therapists in San Diego, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
29
Respiratory Therapists
100%
Accepting patients
55%
Most common: RRT
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 29 respiratory therapists. The most common credential is RRT (55%). 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.
In a hospital, the RT will administer breathing treatments (bronchodilators via nebulizer), manage your ventilator settings if applicable, help you with breathing exercises, and monitor your oxygen levels. For pulmonary function testing, the RT guides you through a series of breathing maneuvers into a machine that measures lung capacity and airflow (the test takes 30 to 60 minutes). In pulmonary rehabilitation, the RT leads exercise sessions and teaches breathing techniques over a 6 to 12 week program. For home equipment (CPAP, oxygen), the RT sets up the device, teaches you how to use it, and provides ongoing support.
You may work with a respiratory therapist if you are hospitalized for a breathing problem, in the ICU on a ventilator, diagnosed with COPD or severe asthma and referred for pulmonary rehabilitation, prescribed home oxygen therapy, having a pulmonary function test (spirometry, lung volumes), prescribed a CPAP or BiPAP for sleep apnea, or receiving breathing treatments (nebulizer, inhaler) in a hospital or clinic. Most patients encounter RTs during hospital stays rather than seeking them out independently.
Pulmonary function test: $30-75 copay · Pulmonary rehabilitation session: $20-50 copay · Home oxygen setup: covered by DME benefit · CPAP machine: $0-200 after insurance · Nebulizer: $0-50 after insurance
San Diego, CA has 29 licensed respiratory therapists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of respiratory therapists 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.
A pulmonary function test copay is $30 to $75. A pulmonary rehab session copay is $20 to $50. Home oxygen setup is covered under DME. A CPAP machine costs $0 to $200 after insurance. A nebulizer costs $0 to $50 after insurance. Actual costs in San Diego, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. CPAP supplies (masks, tubing, filters) are covered on a replacement schedule by most plans. Ask your DME provider what is covered and when. Pulmonary rehabilitation is one of the most cost-effective treatments for COPD.
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.
Some respiratory therapists in San Diego, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers medically necessary respiratory therapy services, including pulmonary rehabilitation, home oxygen, and CPAP. Coverage details vary by state. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Medi-Cal participation before scheduling.
In hospitals, RTs visit as frequently as every two to four hours for breathing treatments. Pulmonary rehabilitation runs two to three times per week for six to twelve weeks. Home oxygen and CPAP follow-ups are periodic (monthly to quarterly). Pulmonary function tests are done as ordered by your physician. With 29 respiratory therapists in San Diego, CA, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
Respiratory Therapists in the area may have trained at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, UCSF School of Medicine, and Stanford University School of Medicine. Graduates of local programs often stay in the area to practice.
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.
Inpatient respiratory therapy is covered as part of your hospital stay. Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation is covered by Medicare (up to 36 sessions with possible extension to 72) and most commercial plans with prior authorization. Home oxygen therapy and CPAP/BiPAP machines are covered under durable medical equipment (DME) benefits when prescribed. Medicare covers 80% of the approved amount for DME after the deductible. Replacement CPAP supplies (masks, tubing) are covered on a schedule. Pulmonary function tests are covered as diagnostic procedures.