Scripps vs Sharp vs UCSD (San Diego: low income, income, live)

[cruitr]

I've been going to Scripps since I got here almost 20 years ago. Not sure why. I have the same PCP for about 15 years. It's nice to have a PCP who takes good care of you.

However, I recently needed a doctor who Scripps did not have on staff. So I called UCSD and they had the exact doctor I needed.

Before I booked an appt with UCSD, I called Sharp. I won't go into all the details but Sharp has a very unusual referral program which I could not easily meet.

So now I have an appt with a doctor at UCSD. Anyone have any local healthcare preferences?

[BilboTBagginz]

This is timely for me.

I'm needing to follow up with PT for a shoulder replacement as soon as I move in a week and I've been weighing the options. I defaulted to UCSD because I saw more highly related PT options available and also I know this doesn't really matter but I had a good experience with UCSF when I lived in the Bay Area. I'm used to not having to deal with referrals for specialists, so I'd like to keep that experience whole.

[moved]

I use UCSD, and it's very hard to get an appointment with a PCP. I've been trying to get a new one, and have had no success yet. The new doctors that have started are being given the existing patients for the PCP's that have retired, and can't take any outside patients.

[TacoSoup]

I’ve had them all over the years. It’s been nearly 20 years since I’ve had some, so things may have changed, but in my personal experience I go Kaiser > Scripps > Sharp > UCSD.

[Trekker99]

Had Scripps, had UCSD, on Sharp now.

Rating the care
Scripps, Sharp, and UCSD a dead last (had several bungled experiences - glad I'm out).

[malcorub16]

I use Sharp, not because they are better but because that's what our work health plan uses. Scripps did have that big data breach in 2021, that's something to consider.

What I never understood is why San Diego doesn't have a public hospital like say LA/USC County Medical Center for low income folks? Or does UCSD meet this need? The county runs a psychiatric hospital but not a physical health hospital.

[BilboTBagginz]

Who here is seeing specialists vs PCPs on a regular basis? That's my main concern. Well, that and availability but I imagine that's a struggle everywhere until you get established.

[moved]

If you have an HMO, your PCP has to give you a referral to one. I have specialists that I see, one of them on a continuing basis, but since I'm already established, I don't need referrals to him anymore.

[BilboTBagginz]

Originally Posted by moved

If you have an HMO, your PCP has to give you a referral to one. I have specialists that I see, one of them on a continuing basis, but since I'm already established, I don't need referrals to him anymore.

I don't have an HMO, and I'm actively avoiding having to switch to one.

[moved]

Originally Posted by BilboTBagginz

I don't have an HMO, and I'm actively avoiding having to switch to one.

Sometimes there's not much of a choice.