Kern Surgical Associates
Referring Physicians
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Patient Information

Referring Physicians

Refer your patients to Jerry Cheriyan, MD, at Kern Surgical Associates for general surgical evaluation and care in Bakersfield. We welcome second opinions and referrals for complex surgical concerns.

Refer a patient

Fax: (661) 221-9195
Phone: (661) 570-2020

Referrals may be initiated by fax, phone call, or encrypted messaging. For encrypted messaging, call our office to confirm the secure destination before sending patient records.

Call Our Office

What to include

  • Patient name, date of birth, and contact information
  • Reason for referral and relevant diagnosis
  • Referring clinician's name and return contact details
  • Relevant notes, medication list, imaging, pathology, and laboratory results
  • Insurance details and authorization, when required

Common reasons for referral

Examples of concerns evaluated in our practice include:

  1. Inguinal hernias
  2. Groin pain or a suspected groin hernia
  3. Umbilical hernias
  4. Ventral or epigastric hernias
  5. Incisional or recurrent abdominal wall hernias
  6. Gallstones and biliary colic
  7. Gallbladder polyps or other gallbladder findings
  8. Hiatal hernias
  9. Reflux symptoms requiring surgical evaluation
  10. Hemorrhoids
  11. Anal fissures
  12. Anal fistulas or recurrent perianal drainage
  13. Pilonidal disease
  14. Lipomas
  15. Epidermal cysts and other skin cysts
  16. Soft tissue masses requiring evaluation
  17. Breast lumps or abnormal breast imaging
  18. Diverticular disease requiring surgical consultation
  19. Nonhealing wounds and chronic ulcers
  20. Abnormal imaging findings

Second opinions and complex referrals

Dr. Cheriyan welcomes requests for a second surgical opinion. Please include prior operative reports, pathology, and relevant imaging when available. Call our office to discuss referral suitability or coordination with a tertiary center.

Referral form

A referring clinician may use their own referral order or our one-page checklist. Patients may complete the demographic section; the referring clinician should select diagnoses and codes.

Please send records by fax or an established encrypted messaging channel. Do not send patient records through ordinary email or a general website contact form. For time-sensitive referrals, call our office directly.

Refer A Patient

Insurance and Referral Networks

  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Cigna
  • Dignity Health Network
  • IMG
  • Health Net
  • Kern Family Health Care
  • Medi-Cal fee-for-service
  • Medicare
  • QualCare IPA
  • UnitedHealthcare

Participation varies by specific plan and assigned medical group. Please confirm coverage and any referral or authorization requirements before scheduling.

Questions or insurance not listed? Please call our office at (661) 570-2020. We can help you check your specific plan.