County of Kern
Rate Outlier
Billing above the 90th percentile across multiple procedure codes simultaneously.
Billing above the 90th percentile for 24 procedure codes: H2017 at 2.8× median, 90837 at 3.4× median.
Statistical flags are not proof of wrongdoing. Some entities (government agencies, home care programs) may legitimately bill at high rates. Hospitals, government entities, and large care organizations may legitimately bill at higher rates due to patient acuity, overhead costs, or specialized services. Read our methodology.
Red Flags Explained
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Each flag represents a statistical test that identified unusual billing patterns. Here's what each flag on this provider means in plain English:
Rate Outlier
Rate Outlier means this provider charges above the 90th percentile for multiple different procedure codes simultaneously. While one high-cost code could reflect specialization, consistently high rates across many codes may indicate systematic overbilling.
These flags are statistical indicators only. Many flagged providers have legitimate explanations for their billing patterns. Learn more about our methodology.
Risk Assessment
Bills $341.26 per claim for H2010 (Comprehensive medication services, per 15 min) — 5.4× the national median of $62.69.
Bills $3,133.32 per claim for H2013 (Psychiatric health facility service, per diem) — 3.7× the national median of $841.93.
Bills $290.84 per claim for 90837 (Psychotherapy, 60 minutes) — 3.4× the national median of $85.66.
Billing in the top 1% nationally for 2 procedure codes: 99214, 99213.
This is a statistical summary, not an accusation. See our methodology.
Compared to Clinic/Center, Adult Mental Health Peers
Total spending distribution among 10 providers in this specialty
This provider's total spending of $473.4M is at the 99th percentile among 10 Clinic/Center, Adult Mental Health providers.
Above 99th percentile for this specialty — higher spending than 9 of 10 peers
Total Paid
$473.4M
$473,443,036
Total Claims
4.3M
Beneficiaries
1.0M
4.1 claims/patient
Avg Cost/Claim
$111
#131 of 618K providers by total spending(top <0.1%)
🔍 Analysis
Provider Overview
County of Kern is a Clinic/Center, Adult Mental Health provider based in Bakersfield, CA. From the 2018–2024 period, this provider received $473.4M in Medicaid payments across 4.3M claims.
Important Context
- ℹ️This is a government entity that may serve as a fiscal agent for large populations. Government providers often bill at high volumes due to the scale of public programs they administer.
Why This Matters
This provider received $473.4M in taxpayer-funded Medicaid payments — enough to fund healthcare for approximately 59,180 Medicaid beneficiaries for a full year at average per-enrollee costs.
Monthly Spending Trend
Yearly Spending
Procedure Breakdown
Cost per claim compared to national benchmarks
This provider bills for 30 distinct procedure codes. The top code (H2015 (Comprehensive community support services, per 15 min)) accounts for 28% of total spending.
$131.3M
481K claims
$273.00
$96.24
Comprehensive community support services, per 15 min
$131.3M
481K claims · 27.7%
$100.8M
399K claims
$252.76
$91.63
Psychosocial rehabilitation services, per 15 min
$100.8M
399K claims · 21.3%
$38.8M
328K claims
$118.14
$74.63
Behavioral health counseling & therapy, per 15 min
$38.8M
328K claims · 8.2%
$35.1M
2.3M claims
$15.01
$18.95
Alcohol/drug services; methadone administration
$35.1M
2.3M claims · 7.4%
$32.6M
96K claims
$341.26
$62.69
Comprehensive medication services, per 15 min
$32.6M
96K claims · 6.9%
$23.0M
150K claims
$153.55
$69.56
Targeted case management, per 15 min
$23.0M
150K claims · 4.9%
$22.8M
7K claims
$3,133.32
$841.93
Psychiatric health facility service, per diem
$22.8M
7K claims · 4.8%
Psychotherapy, 60 minutes
$14.6M
50K claims · 3.1%
$11.7M
67K claims
$174.47
$357.16
Behavioral health; residential, per diem
$11.7M
67K claims · 2.5%
$10.6M
132K claims
$80.06
$47.35
Alcohol and/or drug services, group counseling
$10.6M
132K claims · 2.2%
$9.5M
6K claims
$1,594.53
$467.51
Behavioral health; short-term residential, per diem
$9.5M
6K claims · 2.0%
$6.8M
32K claims
$214.81
$80.64
Mental health service plan development
$6.8M
32K claims · 1.4%
$6.4M
34K claims
$186.97
$56.90
Medication training and management, per 15 min
$6.4M
34K claims · 1.4%
$6.0M
26K claims
$233.56
$72.96
Prolonged office/outpatient E/M, each additional 15 min
$6.0M
26K claims · 1.3%
$3.9M
20K claims
$195.80
$108.91
Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation with medical services
$3.9M
20K claims · 0.8%
$2.6M
10K claims
$268.32
$84.12
Therapeutic behavioral services, per 15 min
$2.6M
10K claims · 0.6%
Psychotherapy, 45 minutes
$2.4M
11K claims · 0.5%
$1.9M
8K claims
$242.02
$77.33
Family psychotherapy with patient, 50 min
$1.9M
8K claims · 0.4%
$1.6M
3K claims
$469.35
$53.41
Office/outpatient visit, est. patient, mod-high complexity
$1.6M
3K claims · 0.3%
$1.5M
3K claims
$485.94
$96.18
Mental health assessment by non-physician
$1.5M
3K claims · 0.3%
$1.5M
595 claims
$2,536.47
$249.51
Crisis intervention mental health services, per hour
$1.5M
595 claims · 0.3%
$1.2M
2K claims
$637.69
$259.38
Supported employment, waiver, per diem
$1.2M
2K claims · 0.3%
Day habilitation, waiver; per 15 min
$1.1M
3K claims · 0.2%
Prescription drug, generic
$1.1M
35K claims · 0.2%
Psychotherapy, 30 minutes
$910K
6K claims · 0.2%
$613K
7K claims · 0.1%
$399K
1K claims · 0.1%
$371K
1K claims
$330.25
$37.81
Office/outpatient visit, est. patient, low-mod complexity
$371K
1K claims · 0.1%
$336K
2K claims · 0.1%
Psychiatric diagnostic evaluation
$223K
3K claims · 0.0%
Other Top Providers in California
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Clinic/Center, Mental Health (Including Community
$6.78B
County of Santa Clara
Community/Behavioral Health
$1.73B
County of Riverside
Community/Behavioral Health
$1.40B
City & County of San Francisco
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$1.34B
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
Public Health or Welfare
$1.13B
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