Cost of a General Doctor (Adult) Visit
in California
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
California ranks 8th nationally for affordable General Doctor (Adult) visits, with costs typically ranging from $80 to $250 and a median price of $85. Patients across the state see significant cost variations between cities like Chula Vista (median $287) and smaller urban areas, depending on their insurance coverage and chosen provider.
Average
$138
Median
$85
Lowest
$80
Highest
$250
Providers
2,792
5% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does internal medicine visit compare to related procedures in California?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Medicine Visit Standard office visit with a family medicine physician | 99214 | $70 | $140 | $250 | 1,828 |
| Psychiatric Evaluation Initial psychiatric evaluation with medical services | 90792 | $81 | $267 | $267 | 274 |
Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.
The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 99214 — Office/outpatient visit, established patient, moderate complexity). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.
Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.
This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.
Where this data comes from & what CPT 99214 covers
Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 99214 (Office/outpatient visit, established patient, moderate complexity), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.
What CPT 99214 covers: the provider's professional fee for internal medicine visit. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.
How to read this data
Negotiated Rate
The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.
P5, Median, P95
P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.
What this does not tell you
These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.
General Doctor (Adult) Visit Costs by City in California — 2026
General Doctor (Adult) visit costs vary significantly across California cities due to higher overhead expenses in major metropolitan areas and varying levels of physician competition.
| City | Min Cost | Median Cost | Max Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista | $130 | $287 | $287 |
| La Mesa | $130 | $287 | $287 |
| Beverly Hills | $85 | $242 | $251 |
| West Hollywood | $85 | $242 | $251 |
| Tarzana | $80 | $242 | $242 |
| Marina Del Rey | $85 | $242 | $242 |
| Clovis | $85 | $238 | $238 |
| San Diego | $80 | $236 | $287 |
| Santa Barbara | $80 | $234 | $236 |
| Walnut Creek | $85 | $228 | $228 |
Costs reflect self-pay estimates based on insurer-negotiated rates. Insured patients may pay significantly less depending on plan type, deductible status, and network tier.
Top Rated Internists in California
Dr. Xinming Fu, MD
Internal Medicine Physician · Santa Ana, CA
Dr. Sean Malee, MD
Internal Medicine Physician · Mount Shasta, CA
Dr. Byong-Wha Lee, MD
Internal Medicine Physician · Canyon Country, CA
Sue Chung, MD.
Internal Medicine Physician · Porter Ranch, CA
Dr. Parvin Peddi, MD
Internal Medicine Physician · Torrance, CA
Why General Doctor (Adult) Visit Costs Vary Across California
California's vast geography creates distinct cost patterns, with Bay Area and Southern California metropolitan areas commanding premium prices while Central Valley and rural regions offer more affordable General Doctor (Adult) services. The state's physician shortage in rural counties like Imperial and Kern drives patients toward urban centers, affecting both access and pricing.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have abundant General Doctor (Adult) options but higher overhead costs, while rural areas may have limited internists requiring longer travel distances. Telehealth adoption has improved access in underserved regions, though hands-on examination still requires in-person visits.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
California General Doctor (Adult) visits in academic medical centers like UCSF or Cedars-Sinai typically cost more than community clinics or independent practices. High commercial real estate costs in coastal areas contribute to the $250 maximum range seen in premium locations.
Insurance Market Competition in California
Covered California's marketplace has increased insurer competition, helping moderate General Doctor (Adult) visit costs compared to neighboring states. Kaiser Permanente's integrated model often provides predictable copays, while traditional insurers like Blue Shield compete on network breadth and cost-sharing structures.
Physician Supply and Demand
California's growing population and aging demographics increase demand for General Doctor (Adult) services, particularly in inland regions experiencing rapid growth. Medical residency programs at institutions like UCLA and Stanford help supply new internists, though many gravitate toward higher-paying metropolitan areas.
Cost by Procedure Type
Internal Medicine Visit can be billed under different CPT codes depending on what's done during the procedure in California.
Follow-up, low complexity
Follow-up, moderate complexity
Follow-up, high complexity
New patient, low complexity
New patient, moderate complexity
New patient, high complexity
Costs shown are median negotiated rates. Your actual cost depends on your insurance plan and provider.
Jayant Panwar
CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA
Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.
The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.
Frequently Asked Questions — General Doctor (Adult) Costs in California
What is the average cost of a General Doctor (Adult) visit in California without insurance?
Does California Medicaid cover General Doctor (Adult) visits?
How do I find an affordable General Doctor (Adult) in California?
What's the difference between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a General Doctor (Adult) visit in California?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a General Doctor (Adult) in California?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 99214)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska Range: $80 – $314 | $236 |
| 2 | New Hampshire Range: $113 – $282 | $205 |
| 3 | Maine Range: $85 – $255 | $197 |
| 4 | Wyoming Range: $98 – $303 | $177 |
| 5 | Iowa Range: $80 – $274 | $165 |
| 6 | Wisconsin Range: $73 – $315 | $162 |
| 7 | Minnesota Range: $73 – $313 | $159 |
| 8 | Vermont Range: $73 – $243 | $158 |
| 9 | New Mexico Range: $80 – $234 | $157 |
| 10 | South Dakota Range: $80 – $293 | $154 |
| 11 | Illinois Range: $73 – $226 | $151 |
| 12 | District of Columbia Range: $59 – $242 | $148 |
| 13 | Delaware Range: $80 – $200 | $141 |
| 14 | Massachusetts Range: $80 – $255 | $140 |
| 15 | California Range: $80 – $250 | $138 |
| 16 | New York Range: $73 – $200 | $135 |
| 17 | Washington Range: $80 – $242 | $134 |
| 18 | Michigan Range: $66 – $236 | $130 |
| 19 | Hawaii Range: $70 – $228 | $128 |
| 20 | Georgia Range: $74 – $202 | $127 |
| 21 | Connecticut Range: $80 – $202 | $125 |
| 22 | Arkansas Range: $72 – $175 | $125 |
| 23 | Indiana Range: $74 – $209 | $125 |
| 24 | Louisiana Range: $70 – $202 | $124 |
| 25 | Colorado Range: $80 – $203 | $124 |
| 26 | West Virginia Range: $80 – $159 | $124 |
| 27 | Oregon Range: $80 – $206 | $124 |
| 28 | Ohio Range: $70 – $201 | $124 |
| 29 | Rhode Island Range: $80 – $200 | $123 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania Range: $74 – $202 | $122 |
| 31 | Kentucky Range: $80 – $201 | $122 |
| 32 | Utah Range: $75 – $204 | $121 |
| 33 | North Dakota Range: $80 – $188 | $120 |
| 34 | North Carolina Range: $73 – $200 | $119 |
| 35 | Florida Range: $55 – $207 | $117 |
| 36 | Tennessee Range: $73 – $173 | $115 |
| 37 | Missouri Range: $72 – $146 | $115 |
| 38 | Maryland Range: $49 – $202 | $112 |
| 39 | Nevada Range: $48 – $202 | $112 |
| 40 | Kansas Range: $72 – $151 | $111 |
| 41 | Arizona Range: $65 – $179 | $111 |
| 42 | South Carolina Range: $73 – $163 | $105 |
| 43 | Oklahoma Range: $72 – $158 | $105 |
| 44 | New Jersey Range: $53 – $193 | $103 |
| 45 | Alabama Range: $64 – $160 | $101 |
| 46 | Mississippi Range: $64 – $150 | $101 |
| 47 | Idaho Range: $75 – $125 | $93 |
| 48 | Montana Range: $80 – $102 | $87 |
| 49 | Alaska Range: $80 – $91 | $84 |