KERN MEDICAL CENTER
BAKERSFIELD, CA 93306 · Acute Care Hospitals
13 procedures with CMS pricing data · Source: CMS IPPS Provider Summary, FY2024
By BillRazor Research · Last updated March 27, 2026 · Methodology
Procedures Analyzed
13
With CMS pricing data
Avg Charge-to-Medicare Ratio
3.0x
Chargemaster ÷ Medicare
CMS Quality Rating
Patient experience & outcomes
Hospital Type
Acute Care Hospitals
Government - Hospital District or Authority
Above 90th Percentile
8%
Compared to CA hospitals
Understanding Your Costs
When you receive a bill from KERN MEDICAL CENTER, you are typically seeing the hospital's “chargemaster” rate — its published list price for each service. According to CMS data, KERN MEDICAL CENTER lists chargemaster rates that average 3.0x the corresponding Medicare reimbursement amount across 13 procedures with publicly available pricing data (Source: CMS IPPS Provider Summary, FY2024).
The median hospital in CA has a chargemaster-to-Medicare ratio of 6.3x, with ratios across the state ranging from 1.7x to 17.6x. At 3.0x, this facility’s average ratio is below the state median. 273 hospitals in CA report pricing data to CMS (Source: CMS IPPS Provider Summary).
The procedure with the largest gap between the listed price and Medicare reimbursement at KERN MEDICAL CENTER is RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS AND INFLAMMATIONS WITH MCC (DRG 177). The listed chargemaster rate is $113,770, while Medicare reimburses $24,804 for the same procedure — a ratio of 4.6x (Source: CMS IPPS Provider Summary, FY2024).
What does this actually mean for your bill? Chargemaster rates are rarely what patients pay. If you have insurance, your insurer has negotiated a separate rate — often 40–60% less than the listed price. If you are uninsured, you may be able to negotiate directly with the hospital or request financial assistance. The chargemaster-to-Medicare ratio is a useful reference point for understanding listed pricing, but it does not represent what most patients will owe out of pocket.
1 of 13 procedures (8%) at this facility have listed rates above the 90th percentile compared to other CA hospitals reporting the same procedure data to CMS (Source: CMS IPPS Provider Summary).
KERN MEDICAL CENTER is a government - hospital district or authority acute care hospitals facility with a CMS quality rating of 2/5 stars. Note: CMS quality ratings measure patient outcomes and experience, not pricing. A hospital with high listed prices may provide excellent care, and pricing data alone should not be used to evaluate the quality of a healthcare provider.
Listed Chargemaster Rates vs Medicare Reimbursement — Top Procedures by Ratio
Source: CMS IPPS Provider Summary, FY2024. Chargemaster rates are list prices and may not reflect actual patient costs.
Procedure Pricing Lookup
Search for a specific procedure or DRG code to see listed chargemaster rates and Medicare reimbursement amounts.
| Procedure | DRG | Listed Charge | Medicare Reimb. | Ratio | State Position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS AND INFLAMMATIONS WITH MCC | 177 | $113,770 | $24,804 | 4.6x | 1th | Compare your bill |
| PSYCHOSES | 885 | $60,328 | $15,807 | 3.8x | 1th | Compare your bill |
| SEPTICEMIA OR SEVERE SEPSIS WITH MV >96 HOURS | 870 | $257,383 | $72,984 | 3.5x | 1th | Compare your bill |
| CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE WITH MCC | 190 | $46,598 | $13,226 | 3.5x | 1th | Compare your bill |
| HIP AND FEMUR PROCEDURES EXCEPT MAJOR JOINT WITH CC | 481 | $74,772 | $23,984 | 3.1x | 0th | Compare your bill |
| SEPTICEMIA OR SEVERE SEPSIS WITHOUT MV >96 HOURS WITH MCC | 871 | $68,796 | $22,711 | 3.0x | 1th | Compare your bill |
| HEART FAILURE AND SHOCK WITH MCC | 291 | $45,246 | $15,463 | 2.9x | 1th | Compare your bill |
| SEIZURES WITHOUT MCC | 101 | $30,755 | $11,005 | 2.8x | 0th | Compare your bill |
| OTHER KIDNEY AND URINARY TRACT DIAGNOSES WITH CC | 699 | $33,399 | $13,150 | 2.5x | 0th | Compare your bill |
| DIABETES WITH CC | 638 | $28,320 | $11,266 | 2.5x | 0th | Compare your bill |
| POISONING AND TOXIC EFFECTS OF DRUGS WITH MCC | 917 | $58,244 | $23,315 | 2.5x | 0th | Compare your bill |
| RED BLOOD CELL DISORDERS WITHOUT MCC | 812 | $28,088 | $11,699 | 2.4x | 0th | Compare your bill |
| KIDNEY AND URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS WITHOUT MCC | 690 | $24,724 | $10,426 | 2.4x | 0th | Compare your bill |
Showing 13 of 13 procedures
All data from CMS IPPS Provider Summary, FY2024. Chargemaster rates are list prices and may not reflect actual patient costs.
Statewide Context
Charge-to-Medicare ratio range across CA hospitals
273 hospitals in CA report pricing data to CMS. This facility's average ratio of 3.0x places it at the lower end of the state range (Source: CMS IPPS Provider Summary).
What You Can Do
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Learn howCheck for Common Errors
Research suggests 49-80% of hospital bills contain errors — from duplicate charges to incorrect procedure codes.
How it worksData: CMS Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Provider Summary, FY2024. All data is publicly available under federal law (45 CFR Part 180).
Important: Listed chargemaster rates are not what most insured patients pay. Actual costs depend on your insurance plan's negotiated rates, deductibles, and coverage terms. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions About KERN MEDICAL CENTER
How much does KERN MEDICAL CENTER charge compared to Medicare?
According to CMS IPPS data, KERN MEDICAL CENTER's listed chargemaster rates average 3.0x the Medicare reimbursement amount across 13 procedures. Chargemaster rates are list prices and are not what most insured patients pay — actual costs depend on insurance negotiations and coverage terms.
What is the most expensive procedure at KERN MEDICAL CENTER?
The procedure with the highest chargemaster-to-Medicare ratio at KERN MEDICAL CENTER is RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS AND INFLAMMATIONS WITH MCC (DRG 177), with a listed charge of $113,770 compared to Medicare reimbursement of $24,804 — a ratio of 4.6x. Source: CMS IPPS Provider Summary.
Is KERN MEDICAL CENTER expensive compared to other CA hospitals?
KERN MEDICAL CENTER's average chargemaster-to-Medicare ratio is 3.0x. Ratios vary significantly across CA hospitals. This ratio reflects listed chargemaster prices, not what patients actually pay. CMS quality ratings, which measure patient outcomes and experience, are separate from pricing data.
Where does the pricing data for KERN MEDICAL CENTER come from?
All pricing data comes from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Provider Summary, published under federal price transparency law (45 CFR Part 180). This data is publicly available and updated annually.
How can I check if my bill from KERN MEDICAL CENTER is correct?
You can upload your bill to BillRazor for a free comparison against publicly available Medicare reimbursement data. Our system analyzes every line item in 60 seconds. Research suggests 49-80% of hospital bills contain errors, including duplicate charges, incorrect procedure codes, and unbundling.
Does KERN MEDICAL CENTER in BAKERSFIELD, CA accept Medicare?
KERN MEDICAL CENTER is included in the CMS IPPS Provider Summary, which covers Medicare-participating hospitals. For specific coverage questions, contact KERN MEDICAL CENTER directly or check with your insurance provider.
Data sourced from CMS IPPS Provider Summary, FY2024. All information is for educational purposes only.