Compare 2 nuclear medicine physicians in Bakersfield, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
2
Nuclear Medicine Physicians
100%
Accepting patients
100%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Bakersfield has 2 nuclear medicine physicians. The most common credential is MD (100%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Downtown Bakersfield, Oleander-Sunset, Westchester, and Riverlakes.
Nearby hospitals include Kern Medical Center, Adventist Health Bakersfield, and Mercy Hospital Bakersfield. Local training programs run through California State University, Bakersfield and Bakersfield College. Kern County faces one of the most severe physician shortages in California, with roughly 40 doctors per 100,000 residents.
For a diagnostic scan, a technologist injects a small amount of radioactive tracer into your vein. After a waiting period (which varies by study), you lie on a scanning table while a camera detects the tracer's distribution in your body. The scan itself is painless. The nuclear medicine physician interprets the images and sends a report to your doctor. Radiation exposure is low and the tracer is eliminated naturally within hours to days.
You typically do not see a nuclear medicine physician directly. Your treating doctor orders nuclear medicine studies when needed. Common reasons include cancer staging (PET/CT), evaluating thyroid function, assessing blood flow to the heart (cardiac stress test), detecting bone metastases or fractures (bone scan), and evaluating kidney function. For radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid disease, you will consult with a nuclear medicine or endocrinology specialist.
PET/CT scan: $1,000-6,000 · Bone scan: $500-2,000 · Thyroid uptake scan: $200-1,000 · Cardiac nuclear stress test: $500-3,000
Bakersfield, CA has 2 licensed nuclear medicine physicians. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of nuclear medicine physicians in Bakersfield, CA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
A PET/CT scan costs $1,000 to $6,000. A bone scan runs $500 to $2,000. A thyroid uptake scan costs $200 to $1,000. A cardiac nuclear stress test ranges from $500 to $3,000. Actual costs in Bakersfield, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. PET scans almost always require prior authorization. Ensure the imaging center is in-network and that authorization is obtained before the study. Outpatient imaging centers may offer lower costs than hospital-based facilities.
Look for a board-certified provider who accepts your insurance and practices near you. Bakersfield, CA has 2 nuclear medicine physicians. Reading patient reviews and checking hospital affiliations can help narrow your choice. FindClarity lets you compare providers by credentials, insurance, and location.
Some nuclear medicine physicians in Bakersfield, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers nuclear medicine studies in all states when medically necessary. Prior authorization is standard for PET scans and expensive studies. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Medi-Cal participation before scheduling.
Nuclear medicine studies are ordered for specific diagnostic needs. Most patients have them infrequently. Cancer surveillance patients may have periodic PET scans as recommended by their oncologist. With 2 nuclear medicine physicians in Bakersfield, CA, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
Nuclear Medicine Physicians in the area may have trained at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, UCSF School of Medicine, and Stanford University School of Medicine. Graduates of local programs often stay in the area to practice.
Nuclear medicine studies are covered under diagnostic imaging benefits. PET/CT scans almost always require prior authorization from your insurance company. Studies must be deemed medically necessary. Some insurers restrict PET scan coverage to specific cancer types or clinical scenarios. Verify authorization before the study to avoid unexpected costs.