History of Spectrum Medical, Inc.

In 1985, the Administration of Montana Deaconess Medical Center identified a need for quality oxygen and respiratory services in Cascade County. In August of that year, Montana Deaconess Medical Center incorporated a separate for-profit subsidiary named Spectrum Medical, Inc. The staff began providing oxygen and respiratory equipment to the community and surrounding areas.

In December of 1990, Spectrum Medical's Board of Directors authorized the expansion of its product/service lines to include a full range of durable medical equipment, including hospital beds, ambulatory aids, bathroom aids, breast prosthetics, and nursing supplies, to name a few.

Spectrum Medical also developed a closed pharmacy, which contracts with skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and detention centers to provide medications and consultation services.

In July of 1996, Spectrum Medical applied for a Certificate of Need for licensed home health services in Cascade County. In February of 1998, this Certificate of Need was granted and Spectrum Medical began developing its licensed home health program.

Spectrum Medical and Western Medical Supply, both owned by Benefis Healthcare, merged on January 1, 1997.

In September of 1998, Spectrum Medical was awarded the Home and Community Based Services contract for Silver Bow, Beaverhead, Granite, Deer Lodge, and Powell counties. Spectrum Medical provides case management services for 100 consumers eligible for Medicaid Waiver services.

In May of 2001, Benefis Home Care was purchased by Spectrum Medical. This purchase allowed Spectrum Medical to expand its licensed home health services to Teton, Chouteau, Pondera, Judith Basin and Lewis and Clark counties.

Spectrum Medical was approved by the Human Resources Development Council in Bozeman to assist them in the provision of Home and Community Based Services in a four county area. On June 1, 2001, a contract was signed with HRDC for provision of these services with the staff housed in Bozeman.

In July, 2002, Spectrum Medical began providing nursing and mental health care services for the 400 state, county and federal inmates at the Cascade County Adult Detention Center. In June, 2004, Spectrum Medical began providing nursing services for the 40 county inmates at the Gallatin County Detention Center in Bozeman. In August, 2005, Spectrum Medical began providing nursing services for the 390 inmates at the Missoula County Detention Facility.

In 2003, Spectrum Medical participated in the ACCESS Project training of the Montana Choice Grant. A training program for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA’s), Home Health Aides (HHA’s) and Personal Care Attendants (PCA’s) was developed and implemented. Students completing the program are most often hired by Benefis Healthcare, nursing homes or local assisted living facilities.

In September 2005, Spectrum Home Health, in collaboration with the Northcentral Montana Healthcare Alliance, began the home telemonitoring program for home health patients in the region. These monitors help identify issues for patients in rural areas on a daily basis. Spectrum Medical is the first provider in the State of Montana to develop this program.

In January, 2006, Spectrum Medical opened Reflections Salon and Image Center in the new Sletten Cancer Institute. The philosophy behind Reflections is to promote positive well being. Reflections employs two certified breast prosthesis fitters and a full time Cosmetologist in the full-service salon. Although we specialize in services for those undergoing medical treatments, Reflections is open to the public.

In January, 2006, Spectrum Medical purchased a building at the corner of 29th Street and 10th Avenue South in Great Falls and began renovations in several areas. In November 2006, our Clinical Services Department—Home Health Services and the Training Center—relocated to their current location at 2906 10th Ave. S., Great Falls, MT 59405. The Equipment Services and Oxygen Department relocated to 2924 10th Avenue South and Rehab Equipment Services to 2912 10th Avenue South. Administration is located at 2526 12th Ave. S., Great Falls, MT 59405. We anticipate Administration to relocate to 2900 10th Ave South in October or November of 2008.

Currently, Spectrum Medical has approximately 100 full-time employees and 30 registry and part-time employees at its 10 locations in Montana.

Effective October 16, 2006 Spectrum Medical Inc. converted to a non-profit corporation and has been granted tax exempt status by the IRS.