Hello, and welcome to our family! We are happy to be your medical group of choice and are committed to providing you the best of care and service throughout your healthcare journey. Whether you are a new member or have been with us for many years, please use the information on the page as a resource for everything you need to know as a member of BFMC.
New Member Documents
Find a Doctor and Schedule an Appointment
The first step on your healthcare journey will be picking a Primary Care Provider (PCP). To ensure your new PCP is effective on the 1st day of any given month, be sure to make your PCP selection before the 15th day of the previous month. To select or change your PCP:
1.) Contact our Customer Service team by calling (661) 327-4411 or toll-free at (888) 550-3819; (800) 604-8754. TDD/TTY can call (800) 735-2929 (English), and (800) 855-3000 (Spanish).
2.) Explore our full roster of PCPs. Use our Find A Provider tool to find the right provider for you!
3.) Once your new PCP is selected, a new card will be available from your health plan. Please contact your health plan directly if you have any issues receiving your new card.
4.) Schedule and prepare for your appointment. Please contact your PCP's office to schedule your first appointment. Have a list of medications and over-the-counter supplements you are taking ready prior to your visit, and be prepared to discuss any concerns with your provider.
Your Health Plan Benefits
Please contact your health plan directly with any questions regarding your coverage. For a full list of affiliated health plans, click here.
Steps For Referral Processing
A referral is a request for specialist services, testing, or equipment to help a PCP deliver the best care necessary.
1.) PCP/Specialist submits a referral for service to the Utilization Management (UM) Department at BFMC along with documentation that supports medical necessity.
2.) When the referral is received in UM, data entry staff will check eligibility and enter the referral.
3.) The referral will then go to a Referral Coordinator who will check benefits, gather all received information, and forward to a UM Case Manager for determination of medical necessity.
4.) If the referral does not meet nationally approved criteria, the referral will be submitted to the Medical Director for final review and determination.
5.) We are required to process referrals within specified time-frames. For Commercial Members, routine referrals are processed within 5 business days; expedite within 72 hours from receipt from your provider office. For Medicare Advantage Members, routine referrals are processed within 14 calendar days; expedite within 72 hours from receipt from your provider office.
Lab and Radiology
Your doctor or specialist may request lab work, x-rays or other tests. For your convenience, BFMC is contracted with LabCorp and Kern Radiology.
Urgent Care
We are dedicated to providing you with excellent and prompt urgent care services with a timely diagnosis, accurate medical information, and a personalized touch. Our compassionate and experienced staff will work hard to place you or your family member back on the road to a swift recovery.
The BFMC Urgent Care is located on our main campus at 4580 California Avenue, Bakersfield, CA and is open 365 days a year, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For your convenience, we are also contracted with Shafter Urgent Care and Vanguard Urgent Care, Arvin. For more information on Urgent Care services, click here.
For life threatening medical emergencies, please call 911.
Priority Care and High Risk Case Management
At BFMC, we are eager to help you live life as fully and comfortably as possible. The Priority Care Program is designed to help patients and their families understand their new or current medical issues. Patients are referred to the program by their PCP, a specialist, or after a hospital admission. Once enrolled into the program, you will be followed closely by our providers instead of your PCP. The main goal of Priority Care is for you to understand your disease processes and how to take care of your conditions. By providing you with case management services, we are able to help you gain the highest level of independence.
The High Risk Outpatient Case Management program is designed to help patients manage their healthcare needs, provide education and resources on their health conditions, and assist patients in navigating the healthcare system. The High Risk Outpatient Case Management program consists of nurse case managers who are available to assist with your healthcare needs telephonically when help is needed. You may refer yourself to the program by contacting our Customer Service Department or your doctor can refer you.
Concierge Nurse Coordinator Services
Are you having difficulty accessing care and scheduling appointments? We are happy to provide Concierge Nurse Coordinator Services exclusively to our HMO members Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm. Our knowledgeable nurse coordinator is ready to provide immediate assistance with appointments over the phone or via email. You may call the Concierge Nurse Coordinator directly at (661) 616-5594. You may also contact the nurse via email at conciergenursecasemanagement@bfmc.com. You are encouraged to provide as many details as you can on how the nurse can best assist you.
So Much More!
As a member of BFMC, you get access to free health education, access to registered dietitians, classes, community events and programs. The Health Education Department at BFMC is committed to providing comprehensive services to improve the quality of life of our patients.
To learn more about BFMC Health Education and to view a list of upcoming classes, click here.
Seniors are invited to join us for monthly events including Coffee Club, Arts and Crafts, and Health Talk Bingo. In addition, BFMC hosts an annual Senior Health Expo in the fall. For a list of upcoming Senior Activities, click here.
Customer Service
Our pledge is to meet our members’ needs in an atmosphere of caring, compassion, friendliness, dignity and respect. If you have other questions that we have not been answered here, contact our Customer Service Department at (661) 327-4411 or toll-free at (888) 550-3819; (800) 604-8754. TDD/TTY can call (800) 735-2929 (English), and (800) 855-3000 (Spanish).