Primary care physicians in San Diego

Your primary care doctor (also called primary care physician or PCP) is your main doctor, and will become familiar with your health history, coordinate your care and help you get treatment from specialists when needed. Doctors who specialize in family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics — as well as some OBGYNs and cardiologists — are all considered primary care doctors.

Most insurance plans allow you to switch your primary care doctor once per month. This includes changes between health systems. You do not need to wait for open enrollment as long as your new doctor accepts your health insurance.

It’s a good idea to find a primary care doctor you trust and are comfortable with, and who is conveniently located so they can get to know your health needs and history over time.

If you want to change your primary care doctor at Sharp, search online to find the right doctor for you. Make sure you call your health plan’s member services department to inform them of any change to your primary care doctor. The phone number is usually located on the back of your insurance card.

Family medicine doctors and internal medicine doctors are both types of primary care doctors. Family medicine doctors provide care to patients of all ages. Internal medicine doctors provide care to patients age 18 and older.

Existing patients: If you are an existing patient with a Sharp primary care doctor (meaning you have seen your doctor at least once), simply call the doctor’s office to make an appointment. Some doctors also offer online scheduling through their doctor profile and the Sharp app.

New patients: If you have selected a doctor, but have not yet had your first appointment, you can call the doctor's office directly or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm. Some doctor also offer online scheduling for new patients through their doctor profile and the Sharp app.

Sharp accepts almost all health insurance plans, including Medicare, Medi-Cal and most managed care and private insurance plans.

When looking for a primary care physician in San Diego, be sure to check with your insurance company to verify specific coverage. Coverage may depend on which Sharp medical group your doctor is under. Insurance companies frequently add new plans, and update provider networks and covered services under existing plans.

To create a Sharp account, go to sharp.com/app. You can also download the Sharp app to a mobile device from the Apple Store or Google Play Store and create an account.

A Sharp account gives you secure, personalized access to manage your health and the care of loved ones from a computer or mobile device.

With a Sharp account, you can:

• Schedule medical appointments

• Book same-day virtual visits

• Message your care team

• Check in for appointments

• View lab results

• Manage and refill prescriptions

• Join waitlists for earlier or same-day appointments

• Fill out forms before appointments

• Pay bills and set up payment plans

• Access resources for trusted health information

• And more

Sign in or sign up for a Sharp account or learn more. If you need assistance or have questions, we're here to help.