Synergy Orthopedic Specialists partners with Sharp Community Medical Group, Scripps Health Plan, and UC San Diego Health to bring orthopedic care to San Diego.
Synergy Orthopedic Specialists partners with Sharp Community Medical Group, Scripps Health Plan, and UC San Diego Health to bring orthopedic care to San Diego.
Synergy Orthopedic Specialists is the largest independent physician-owned orthopedic group in San Diego, with more than 25 fellowship-trained surgeons across 15 locations. We participate in the region’s major medical groups and health plans so that patients across San Diego County — whether covered through an employer, a Medicare Advantage plan, or a commercial HMO or PPO — can reach specialty orthopedic care close to home.
Because we are independent and physician-owned, our participation decisions are made by the doctors who treat you, with one goal: keeping high-quality bone, joint, muscle, and spine care accessible in every community we serve.
Below is how our participation with each partner works and what it means for your access to care.
Who this covers: Patients enrolled in an HMO plan who have selected a Sharp Community Medical Group primary care physician. SCMG is one of San Diego’s largest independent physician networks, serving thousands of patients across the county.
How you reach us: Your SCMG primary care physician refers you to Synergy for orthopedic evaluation and treatment. Once your referral is authorized, you can be seen at any of our locations. Our team coordinates directly with SCMG on authorizations so your care isn’t delayed by paperwork.
Why it matters: SCMG patients don’t have to leave their community — or their trusted primary care relationship — to see a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon. From sports injuries to joint replacement, the full scope of our practice is available within your network.
Synergy Orthopedic Specialists is a contracted orthopedic specialty provider for Sharp Community Medical Group members in San Diego County.
Who this covers: Scripps-affiliated medical group HMO members, Scripps Health Plan employee coverage, or delegated networks administered by Scripps Health Plan Services.
How you reach us: Members access Synergy through referral from a Scripps-affiliated primary care physician / direct scheduling, per plan rules. Our scheduling team verifies eligibility and authorization requirements before your first visit.
Why it matters: Scripps-affiliated patients gain in-network access to San Diego’s largest independent orthopedic group — including on-site MRI, physical therapy, and outpatient surgery center options that can reduce out-of-pocket costs compared with hospital-based settings.
Who this covers: Qualcomm employees and their families enrolled in the Qualcomm employer health plan administered through the Scripps Health Plan accountable care arrangement Scripps Qualcomm ACO
How you reach us: As a participating specialty group in this accountable care arrangement, Synergy provides orthopedic care coordinated with your Scripps primary care team.
Why it matters: Accountable care is built on coordination — your primary care physician, your orthopedic surgeon, and your rehabilitation team working from the same playbook. For Qualcomm families, that means faster diagnosis, fewer duplicated tests, and a defined path from injury to recovery, all in-network.
Who this covers: UC San Diego Health’s employee/student health plans, the UCSD Health Population Health / ACO network, or a delegated HMO network. Patients whose coverage is built around the UC San Diego Health network.
How you reach us: Referral from a UC San Diego Health primary care physician, specialists, direct access, per plan design. Synergy coordinates authorizations and shares records with your UC San Diego Health care team so nothing falls through the cracks.
Why it matters: Academic-affiliated coverage paired with community-based specialty access: patients get the convenience of 15 neighborhood locations and the continuity of a physician-owned group, within their UC San Diego Health network.
Insurance participation changes, and plan names rarely match what’s on your card. Call us at 858-412-6080 or use [our online eligibility form], and our team will verify your coverage before your first visit — including referral and authorization requirements — so there are no surprises.
We also accept [Medicare, workers’ compensation, and most major PPO plans — link to full payer list]. If your plan isn’t listed, ask: we add partnerships regularly as we work to keep orthopedic care accessible across San Diego County.
If you’re covered through an HMO or medical group such as Sharp Community Medical Group, yes — your primary care physician refers you, and we coordinate the authorization. PPO patients can typically schedule directly. Our team confirms your plan’s rules when you call.
Synergy participates with Sharp Community Medical Group, which serves Sharp HMO members across San Diego County. Call us to confirm your specific plan and location.
Yes — Synergy Orthopedic participates in the Scripps Health Plan accountable care arrangement serving Qualcomm employees and their families.
Most plans are accepted at all 15 locations, but some medical group arrangements designate specific sites. We confirm this when we verify your eligibility.