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Timely access to care

Kern Family Health Care has standards so that you receive timely access to care. The amounts of time you should have to wait when scheduling your appointments with your doctor, specialists and other health professionals are listed below. If you have to wait longer than these appropriate wait times when scheduling an appointment, please give us a call at 661-632-1590 (Bakersfield) or 800-391-2000 (outside of Bakersfield) and we will help you schedule a more timely appointment.

Type of medical appointment	Appointment wait times
Routine doctor and follow-ups	10 business days*
Specialists	15 business days*
Mental health	10 business days*
Urgent appointments for services that do not require prior authorization	Within 48 hours*
Urgent appointments for services that require prior authorization	Within 96 hours*
Ancillary services such as x-rays, lab tests and physical therapy	15 business days*
Telephone wait times during normal business hours	10 minutes
Triage—24/7 services	24/7 services—no more than 30 minutes
Initial prenatal care	10 business days

*Health care providers can be flexible in making appointments if a longer waiting time is not harmful to the member's health. It must be noted in the member's record that a longer waiting time will not be harmful to the member.