Skilled Nursing in San Diego, California: Search Near You, How To Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions To Ask
Skilled nursing in San Diego, California, provides comprehensive medical care and rehabilitation services for seniors, ensuring round-the-clock support and specialized treatments. California is ranked among the top states for assisted living, reflecting its dedication to high-quality care. In San Diego, skilled nursing facilities offer a welcoming environment where seniors receive personalized attention to enhance their health and well-being.
Skilled Nursing Facility Communities near San Diego, California
Vi At La Jolla Village
San Diego, California 92122
Somerset Subacute And Care
El Cajon, CA 92020
Granite Hills Healthcare & Wellness Centre, Llc
El Cajon, CA 92021
Mount Miguel Covenant Village
Spring Valley, CA 91977
Carmel Mountain Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
San Diego, CA 92128
Bradley Court
El Cajon, CA 92021
Country Hills Post Acute
El Cajon, CA 92021
Grossmont Hospital D/p Snf
La Mesa, CA 91941
Hillcrest Heights Healthcare Center
San Diego, CA 92103
The Villas At Poway
Poway, CA 92064

About Skilled Nursing in San Diego, CA
In San Diego, skilled nursing is defined as a healthcare setting that delivers 24-hour medical and rehabilitative care for individuals recovering from illness, injury, or surgery. These facilities are staffed by licensed nurses, therapists, and healthcare professionals who provide a range of services, including wound care, intravenous therapy, medication management, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Skilled nursing in San Diego focuses on individualized care plans tailored to each resident’s specific needs, ensuring optimal recovery and health outcomes. These facilities also offer both short-term and long-term care options, creating a supportive environment where seniors can achieve the highest possible quality of life.
Considerations when looking for Senior housing in San Diego, CA
There are 11 skilled nursing facilities in San Diego, California. The estimated population of San Diego is 1,388,320 with 13.8% of that number being those ages 65 and older. In San Diego, the summers are short, warm, arid, and clear and the winters are long, cool, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 50°F to 77°F and is rarely below 44°F or above 84°F.
Cities near San Diego, CA
- Chula Vista, CA – 7 miles south
- La Mesa, CA – 10 miles east
- El Cajon, CA – 15 miles east
- National City, CA – 5 miles southeast
- Coronado, CA – 5 miles southwest
Pricing and How to Pay for Skilled Nursing
The average cost associate with care at a skilled nursing facility in San Diego, CA is $9,384 / month. The truth is that care, no matter the setting, but especially in nursing homes, requires robust staffing 24/7. The costs of hiring and keeping exceptional caregivers and medically trained staff such as nurses, is very costly. Add in the price of running a medical facility all day and night, pricey medical supplies and needed administrative staff, and you’ve got quite the overhead. Although the cost can seem overwhelming, it’s smart to look into financial planning for end stage retirement and expected care needs.

Paying for Senior Living and Care will vary depending on a few factors. For instance, the level of care needed; the income and savings of the resident; the state and location of the community; or if the resident is a veteran. In the United States there are over 400 programs that may offer some monetary relief for senior care, but often the majority of costs are covered by private funds and family assistance. These funds come from our Federal, State, and Local Governments.
It is important to take your time when exploring payment and coverage options.
Private pay – YES:
- Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
- Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
- Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.
Medicare -MAYBE:
Medicare will TYPICALLY cover Skilled Nursing (SNF) care ONLY under these factors:
- People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
- Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
- The person has Medicare Part A, and has available days left in their benefit period. The person has a qualified hospital stay. (3 consecutive midnights or more)
- The individual must enter SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital.
- The person’s doctor has ordered inpatient services at a skilled nursing facility.
- The individual must need and receive the skilled care daily. The care provided must be care that the person can only receive in a SNF.
- The person needs skilled services because of an ongoing condition or a new condition that started while in a SNF for treatment of an ongoing condition.
- The skilled services must be reasonable and necessary for the treatment of the condition.
- You must receive the care in a Medicare certified SNF.
Medicaid – MAYBE:
Medicaid can be a payer source if the patient needs both care and has a financial hardship based on the individual state criteria. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government; and national guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines. Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program. Each state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
- Skilled nursing falls under Medicaid’s Nursing Facility Services.
- People who are eligible for Medicaid must meet the state criteria for skilled nursing care.
- The state of residency must abide by federal law and regulations when setting their skilled nursing care requirements.
- The patient meets the state guidelines for income and asset limits.
If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.For a clearer understanding on coverage contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:
Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care services at some point, so naturally, buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.
- Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
- Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.
Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:
This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.
- There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
- A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
- If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

Local Hospitals and Healthcare Providers in San Diego, CA
Scripps Mercy Hospital
- Address: 4077 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
- Phone Number: (619) 294-8111
UC San Diego Health – Hillcrest
- Address: 200 W Arbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92103
- Phone Number: (858) 657-7000
Sharp Memorial Hospital
- Address: 7901 Frost St, San Diego, CA 92123
- Phone Number: (858) 939-3400
Kaiser Permanente Zion Medical Center
- Address: 4647 Zion Ave, San Diego, CA 92120
- Phone Number: (619) 528-5000
Alvarado Hospital Medical Center
- Address: 6655 Alvarado Rd, San Diego, CA 92120
- Phone Number: (619) 287-3270
Questions to ask a skilled nursing facility
- Is the facility licensed?
- Has the facility’s license ever been revoked?
- Is the facility Medicare/Medicaid certified?
- What types of insurance is accepted?
- Are all specific medical needs able to be met?
- What services are offered?
- What is the rate for basic care?
- Are any reviews available to be seen by the public?
- Are protocols in place to ensure healthy, balanced meals?
- What if an individual has specific dietary restrictions, can they be met at the facility?
Additional questions and inquiries to ask skilled nursing facilities
- What should a new resident (patient) bring with them?
- What is the difference between skilled nursing and assisted living?
- What happens in case of an emergency?
- Can the family pet visit the resident?
- What is the level of privacy?
- What are the available social activities?
- What is the hours for family visits?
- Can patients request special meals for dietary needs?
- Are skilled nursing facilities connected to hospitals?
- How big are the rooms?
- What are the training requirements of skilled nurses?
Resources and Links- California
Area Agencies on Aging The California Department of Aging (CDA) administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State. These services are provided locally by contracted agencies. This webpage is intended for those who provide, or seek to provide a variety of aging services.
The Home Care Services Bureau is responsible for licensing Home Care Organizations including processing applications, receiving and responding to complaints and conducting unannounced visits to ensure compliance.
California Department of Aging Under the umbrella of the California Health and Human Services Agency, the California Department of Aging (CDA) administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State. These programs are funded through the federal Older Americans Act, the Older Californians Act, and through the Medi-Cal program.
California Rural Indian Health Board The Pit River Tribe of California’s Rancherias in the operating area are as follows: * Montgomery Creek Rancheria * Roaring Creek Rancheria * Burney * Lookout Rancheria * XL Ranch Rancheria * Likely Rancheria * Big Bend Rancheria The main site, Burney Indian Health Clinic, in Burney, CA offers full time health care in many fields. As a service to the community the Shasta County W.I.C. Program is also located at the site in Burney. A satellite office, the XL Ranch Reservation Clinic, is located in Alturas, CA (Modoc County) providing referral and outreach services. The principal referral facility is Mercy Medical Center Hospital in Redding, CA which approximately miles from the main clinic site. This facility offers general medicine with 169 medical/surgical, 14 ICU, 14 CCU, 19 Pedriatrics, 29 Perinatal, 5 Acute/Respiratory and 6 ICCN beds
Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings
Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.
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