This is a lengthy but important review. Having lived in many places across Canada and the U.S.,…read moreI've been under the care of numerous providers. Alluvion is the first clinic where I've had a truly negative experience.
When I was younger and had limited means, this organization operated as the City-County Health Department/Community Health Care Center. At that time, the staff were caring and considerate. Since transitioning away from the county, however, that environment has changed significantly.
After my physician (a compassionate and capable woman) moved out of state, my care was transferred to a nurse practitioner. She decided to discontinue several of my long-term mental health medications abruptly--medications that should have been tapered, including some that should never be stopped suddenly. These prescriptions had kept me stable and functioning well for over a decade. When I expressed concern about stopping them and explained that I felt my life beginning to unravel, I was dismissed and told to defer to her judgment without discussion.
I requested a different provider and was given another woman. While initially pleasant, the interaction quickly followed the same pattern--little interest in my perspective or medical history. When I asked whether my records had been reviewed and offered to have them sent over, this was ignored. My diagnoses and concerns were treated as irrelevant.
The situation escalated when the clinic director entered and took a confrontational tone. At that point, it became clear this was not an isolated issue with one or two providers, but reflective of a broader shift in the clinic's approach. Although I was frustrated, I was not belligerent. I apologized if I had offended anyone, explaining that I was experiencing severe anxiety and withdrawal effects after being taken off long-term medication. Despite this, I was told to leave.
I was never provided a formal discharge notice, either in person or by mail, which is a legal requirement. I again attempted to explain that I was not trying to argue but was struggling with abrupt medication changes. No matter. Additionally, without notice, I was removed from the sliding scale payment program and charged significantly higher fees, which they allowed to accrue, all of which I paid.
Since this took place, I have received care at Benefis, where my experience has been consistently positive. While I am not given free rein in my care (& I've never expected to be given such), the providers are respectful, communicative, and genuinely attentive.
I have heard many similar accounts from others who previously had positive experiences before the transition to Alluvion. For additional context, the organization has faced other issues, including a reported significant debt to the county: https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2019/11/12/cascade-county-says-not-profit-took-over-clinic-owes-480-900/2581244001/
If you have access to other healthcare options, I would strongly encourage you to consider them. In my experience, asking questions or expressing concerns at Alluvion led to being treated with suspicion rather than respect, despite the fact that patients should be active participants in their own care.
Thank you for your time.
