Find Doctors in California

Healthcare in California

California has the largest physician workforce in the nation, with approximately 112,000 active physicians serving nearly 39 million residents. The state is home to world-renowned medical institutions including UCLA Medical Center, UCSF, Stanford Health Care, and Cedars-Sinai, which consistently rank among the top hospitals nationally. With 12 medical schools, California produces more medical graduates than any other state, yet persistent shortages remain in primary care and in rural and inland communities. The Central Valley, Inland Empire, and northern rural counties face physician-to-population ratios far below the state average of 286 per 100,000. California's Medi-Cal program is the nation's largest Medicaid system, covering over 15 million residents, and physician participation in Medi-Cal networks significantly impacts access for low-income populations. The state has been a national leader in telehealth policy, scope-of-practice expansion, and healthcare innovation. Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego serve as the primary healthcare hubs, while community health centers operated by organizations like Kaiser Permanente extend care across the state. Psychiatry demand has surged amid the behavioral health crisis, and the state has invested billions in expanding mental health services.