Kern Medical
Last updated August 2026
Kern Medical is the county's public teaching hospital in Bakersfield, home to the region's only Level II trauma center. Uninsured patients aren't on their own: Covered California counselors work on site Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm, to help you get coverage.
As a teaching hospital, expect care from teams: residents working with supervising physicians. That structure means thorough care; it can also mean more people in the room, which is normal, so ask your questions freely. As the region's only Level II trauma center, it's where serious injuries in the county get treated, around the clock. For everyday illness, though, a community clinic is usually the faster and cheaper door; the hospital is for what clinics can't handle.
If you're uninsured, the on-site counselors are the detail worth remembering. Enrollment help runs Monday–Friday 8am–4pm with no separate trip required, so ask for the Covered California counselors during any visit and walk out with the coverage process started instead of just a bill.
About bills: ask, don't absorb. Hospital billing offices generally have financial assistance and payment arrangements for patients who ask. Raise it early rather than letting a balance slide toward collections. The main line is (661) 326-2000.
For care that doesn't need a hospital, Clinica Sierra Vista at (833) 678-2781 and Omni Family Health at (866) 707-6664 both treat uninsured patients at community health centers across the county. And Medi-Cal covers medical, dental, and vision at no cost for those who qualify. Call (661) 631-6807.
Phone (661) 326-2000
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Open to all Kern County residents
- On-site Covered California enrollment help Mon–Fri 8am–4pm
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Can Kern Medical help me get insurance?
Yes. On-site Covered California enrollment counselors are available Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm. Ask for them during any visit.
Who can be treated at Kern Medical?
It's open to all Kern County residents. The main line is (661) 326-2000.
What does "Level II trauma center" mean for me?
It's the region's only one: the hospital equipped for severe injuries around the clock. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 and let responders make the destination call.
Can someone help me with a hospital bill I can't pay?
Start with the billing office and ask about financial assistance and payment plans; hospitals generally have both for patients who ask. Then fix the gap going forward: on-site Covered California counselors work Monday–Friday 8am–4pm, and Medi-Cal may cover you at no cost.
Do I need insurance to be treated at Kern Medical?
No. It's the county's public hospital, open to all Kern County residents. Uninsured patients can meet enrollment counselors on site to get covered for next time.
Should I go to the hospital or a clinic?
Hospital for emergencies and hospital-level needs; clinic for everything else. Clinica Sierra Vista and Omni Family Health handle everyday care for uninsured patients and are built for ongoing relationships. The hospital is for what they can't do.
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