SMC has two clinics. The Chinook clinic is located at 419 Pennsylvania Street inside the Chinook Medical Center. The Harlem clinic is located at 116 Main Street South inside the Little Rockies Retirement Center. The name of our community health center pays homage to Lloyd D. Sweet. Sweet was born in Ubet, Montana in 1889. In his early years, he and his family moved to Chinook and he graduated from Chinook High School in 1909. In 1913, Sweet graduated from Stanford University with a major in economics. Following graduation he returned to Chinook where he worked his father's land and built a flour mill. In 1918 he joined the Navy and eventually settled in Watsonville, California where he built his fortune in the stock market while working in the auto parts industry. Mr. Sweet passed away in 1988. Lloyd Sweet greatly impacted Chinook with his many important projects and became known as "Chinook's Fairy Godfather." Throughout the community, Lloyd Sweet left a strong legacy. Sweet Medical Center is one of the projects that he helped to fund and develop. The local nursing home, Sweet Home was also a benefactor of Lloyd D. Sweet’s generosity. Sweet Medical Center and Sweet Home are completely separate entities and are both extremely grateful for Mr. Sweet’s foresight and generosity.

Patient-centered: A partnership among practitioners, patients and their families ensures that decisions respect patients’ wants, needs and preferences, and that patients have the education and support they need to make decisions and participate in their own care. Comprehensive: Our care teams have adopted a whole health approach in treatment and care. This encompasses integrated physical and behavioral health care needs, including prevention and wellness, acute care and chronic care. Coordinated: Care is unified across all elements of the broader health care system, including specialty care, hospitals, home health care, community services and support. Accessible: Patients are able to access services with shorter waiting times, "after hours" care, 24/7 electronic or telephone access and strong communication through health technology. Committed to quality and safety: Clinicians and staff enhance quality improvement to ensure that patients and families make informed decisions about their health. SMC’s goal is to consistently meet these requirements while we care for and coordinate the range of patients’ care across all settings.

which results from a practice team of primary care and behavioral health clinicians working together with patients and families, using a systematic and cost-effective approach to provide patient-centered care for a defined population. This care addresses any mental health and substance abuse conditions, health behaviors (including their contribution to chronic medical illnesses), life stressors and crises, stress-related physical symptoms and ineffective patterns of health care utilization.

We are proud to be a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC),meaning we are able to provide primary health care services right here in rural Montana. Thanks to the bi-partisan federal support given to community health centers (CHCs) like SMC, we are able to provide high quality, patient-centered care so that we may serve everyone, including vulnerable, uninsured or underserved individuals and families. In addition, CHCs are committed to increasing the overall health of the community and reducing overall healthcare costs. This model of care emerged in the 1960s to target the roots of poverty by combining the resources of local communities with federal funds to establish neighborhood clinics and it has been a huge success. Today, there are over 1,400 CHCs serving more than 27 million people at over 10,400 sites in all 50 states, saving the healthcare system over $24 billion annually thanks to their lower cost of care and their patients’ reduced emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

First, we ask that you make an appointment with one of SMC's healthcare providers. Once he or she refers you for dental care, SMC will pay up to $250 per patient per year for exams, cleanings, fillings and extractions. We will work with you to make your dental appointment. A co-pay of $15 will be requested at the time you receive your dental service.

Once a patient is enrolled in SMC's HealthShare Partnership, the patient and their family members living in the same household will have discounted medical services for one year. This includes charges for SMC office visits, as well as lab work done in house. Those qualifying for HSP also receive discounts or vouchers to help with medical services received outside of SMC including Dental, Vision, Mental Health, Pharmacy and Transportation to Medical Appointments.

Please complete the application form (see button near the top of this page) and submit it to SMC annually. Before a discount can be applied, we need to have proof of your household gross annual income. Your household includes legal children, a civil union partner or married spouse and legal dependents. Annual gross income includes salary, unemployment benefits, investment income, and any other sources of income that support your household. We'll need proof for all members of the household. The following documents can be used: Most recent tax return 2-3 most recent pay stubs (less than three months old) Most recent W-2 or 1099 Letter from employer stating cash earnings that is signed by the employer or supervisor Social Security Administration document stating SSI or SSDI benefits Social Security Administration document stating you are ineligible for government benefits State unemployment office letter detailing unemployment benefits Military leave earnings statement Notarized letter stating you have no source of income signed by you

A patient may still be eligible for HSP if they have health insurance, as long as they meet the income guidelines. SMS will bill your insurance first and discount the charges your insurance does not pay according to the HSP sliding fee scale. These charges may include deductibles, co-insurance and co-pays. As another valuable service, SMC has Certified Application Counselors on staff to help our patients sign up for Medicare, Medicaid and Marketplace Insurance.

Medical services are valuable and they are not free. For example, you cannot get a haircut and not pay for it. If a patient feels they cannot afford the nominal fee, our team will work with them to establish payment arrangements. We will not refuse services to patients due to their inability to pay. The HealthShare Partnership is not an insurance program. There are no premiums to pay. Eligibility must be kept current by submitting the necessary documents prior to your eligibility end date.

SMC's HSP is all about shared responsibility. We don't provide charity or free care, but we do make quality care affordable by using a sliding fee scale based on a person's ability to pay for the services. Our patients pay what they can afford as determined by their income and family size. Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is a measure of income issued every year by the Department of Health and Human Services. For example: If a family of four has a yearly income of $24,600 they are at 100% of FPL and they should be eligible for discounted SMC services as patients whose income is at 200% or below the FPL qualify for the HSP.

A $12 Pharmacy Voucher will be available each month for HSP eligible patients needing medication. A $10 Transportation Voucher will be available each month for HSP eligible patients needing to travel for medical appointments. Plus! ALL SMC patients, regardless of income benefit from our 340B (Discount Pharmacy Program) on most prescriptions purchased from one of our partnering pharmacies!

First, we ask that you make an appointment with one of SMC's healthcare providers. Once he or she refers you for vision care, SMC will pay up to $150 per patient per year for routine eye exams and glasses. We will work with you to make your vision appointment with Dr. Obie in Chinook. A co-pay of $15 will be requested at your vision visit.

First, we ask that you make an appointment with one of SMC's healthcare providers. Once he or she refers you for mental health service, SMC will pay for up to eight visits with the Center for Mental Health. There is an option for continued services. We will work with you to make your appointments. A co-pay of $15 will be requested at each mental health visit.

The State of Montana requires that private insurers cover telehealth services the same as they cover in-person services.

Contact your local or regional hospital or clinic and ask for the REACH Telehealth Site Coordinator. The site coordinator will work with you to schedule your appointment.

Medicare does cover telehealth visits in many circumstances, including remote radiology, pathology and some cardiology. Some services may not be covered. Refer to www.cms.gov for the latest information on Medicare coverage for telehealth services. In Montana, Medicaid will cover all live video services, as long as the healthcare provider is enrolled in Medicaid. Montana’s Medicaid program does not cover remote monitoring services or medical services via email, fax or phone.

A telehealth visit is very similar to a regular visit with your provider. The only difference is that your provider sees and talks to you through a live television screen. A nurse will explain what will happen during the in-person visit, and you will be asked to sign a consent form that gives permission to do your telehealth consult. Your appointment takes place in a private room and a nurse will stay with you. If you would like to have a friend or family member present, they are welcome to join you. An electronic stethoscope is used to transmit your heart and lung sounds to the provider, and sometimes a special hand-held zoom camera is also used to get up-close views. Your provider is also in a private room. This keeps your information and conversation confidential.

Telehealth provides you with a way to have an appointment with your healthcare provider by using the latest in video technology. This means you will be able to “visit” your provider without having to leave your community. By going to your local hospital or clinic, you can visit with your provider using two-way video technology. Telehealth allows you to remain in your community and to meet with your provider while receiving the support of your family and friends. Telehealth also eliminates the time and expense of having to take time off from work to travel long distances to receive healthcare. Telehealth is useful for many healthcare appointments, but you may not be able to use it for all your visits. Talk to your provider to see which of your appointments can be provided through telehealth.

Appointments can be made for either our Chinook or Harlem clinic by calling 406.357.2294 during business hours or by using our Patient Portal or mobile application 24/7. When requesting an appointment, you will be asked for your preferred provider, clinic, day and time. We pride ourselves on accessibility and accommodate same-day appointments whenever possible. Slots are designated for same-day routine as well as urgent appointments. Urgent appointments requested before 3:00pm are typically granted the same day. Those received after 3:00pm are scheduled for the next day. Routine appointments are made within five days unless the patient requests it be further into the future.

Please complete any questionnaires your patient portal requested for your appointment type. Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment and bring: Your insurance card if applicable. Proof of income if participating in our HealthShare Partnership (last year’s tax return, 3 most recent pay stubs, newest W-2 or 1099, letter from employer, unemployment office or Social Security Administration documenting earnings or notarized letter stating you have no source of income signed by you. Any medications, vitamins or supplements you take on a regular basis. A list of healthcare providers, including specialists that you have seen and services and tests received. Any records you have been keeping to monitor your health. Allergy list. Emergency Room visit details. A list of questions you have for your new Primary Care Provider.

Please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment and bring: Anything listed above that has changed. Proof of income for HealthShare Partnership verification if it’s been over a year since last provided. Any records you have been keeping to monitor your health. Emergency Room or other provider visit records. A list of questions you have for your provider.

Please check in at our reception desk when you arrive. The Patient Services Representative will help you verify and update any missing or outdated information in your medical records. This may include signing forms. You will then be asked to get comfortable in our waiting area. Free wifi is provided as are magazines and educational video presentations. As soon as possible, a Nurse or Patient Care Assistant will come greet you and lead you back to the exam rooms. He or she may note your height and weight on the way to the room. Once in the exam room, you will be asked additional questions to ensure your medical record is up-to-date and your provider has a complete picture of your current and past health. Your blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation and respiratory rate may also be taken. As soon as possible, your provider will enter the room to discuss any health concerns, follow up on past visits and develop or update your treatment plan. You may be provided with patient education via paper copies or electronically when applicable. You may request a visit summary or access it via the patient portal and mobile app outlining what you were seen for, patient instructions, allergies, care plan, vitals, orders, medications and recommendations.

When you have blood drawn or other tests performed by Sweet Medical Center, you will be contacted as soon as possible with the results of the tests. Once your provider reviews the results, they will also be available for viewing via your online patient portal and mobile application. Please stop by the reception desk on your way out to schedule any follow up appointments or finish up any paperwork or arrangements.

SMC assesses and reconciles medications with patients to maintain patient safety. If your provider recommends a medication or device requiring a prescription, he or she will discuss this with you and it will be requested via your preferred pharmacy. In most cases, prescriptions are ordered electronically. Prescription of certain controlled substances may require a Medication Contract be signed between the patient and the provider outlining medication risks and requirements for obtaining prescription refills. This is to protect patients, the community and SMC. A list of your current prescriptions we have on file is available via your online patient portal and mobile application. Our HealthShare Partnership can help you with the cost of your prescriptions at local pharmacies.

If your provider recommends that you see another provider he or she will discuss this with you and the nurse will contact the other provider to arrange your visit. When you see the specialist you can request that the records from the visit are shared with Sweet Medical Center to ensure your provider can have a complete picture of your health to continue your care.

User support is built into the web portal and the app, or you can ask a member of our staff.

The app and our portal allow you to reset your username and/or password. You can also call the front desk and we can reset the username and/or password for you.

Yes, the information is completely secure. It is protected with a username and password / Personal Identification Number (PIN) of your choice and through Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption.

Sign-up is simple and outlined in the steps above. You should receive a username and password from our practice via email that you can print out and customize after your initial login. Access can be made via any web browser, or through the smartphone app.

We share information with our patients that we feel can help them and keep them informed. Every practice is different, and we try to provide patients with key information regarding their children’s health. For a complete list of features, ask our friendly staff.

Access to our portal and the healow app are completely free. We share this information with our patients to give them convenient access to their health records and help them make better healthcare decisions.