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 an appointment with your primary care provider (PCP), specialists and other health professionals are listed below. If you have to wait longer than these appropriate wait times when scheduling an appointment, please call our Member Services Department 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 Time |
|---|---|
PCP routine and follow-up |
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* |
**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.
Kern Family Health Care also utilizes the following drive time/distance standards to ensure adequate accessibility to available services:
Provider Type |
Time and Distance Standard |
|---|---|
Primary Care (Adult and Pediatric) |
10 miles and 30 minutes from any member’s residence |
Specialty Care (Adult and Pediatric) |
45 miles and 75 minutes from any member’s residence |
Hospitals |
15 miles and 30 minutes from any member’s residence |
Pharmacy |
10 miles and 30 minutes from any member’s residence |
Mental Health |
45 miles and 75 minutes from any member’s residence |
In certain areas, KFHC has recognized it is unable to meet the above standard. In these cases, KFHC maintains an alternative access standard, reviewed and approved by the Department of Health Care Services. These approved alternative access standards are listed below.
If your zip code and appointment type are listed, KFHC will help you find an appointment. Please call our Member Services Department at 661.632.1590 (Bakersfield) or 800.391.2000 (outside of Bakersfield) and KFHC will help you find an appointment. If KFHC, cannot find an appointment with a closer provider, KFHC will arrange transportation.