Story County Hospital in Nevada, IA

Pros

• Their care and attention are top notch.
• The doctor and staff are very friendly, and the doctor listens to concerns.
• The waiting area offers nice window views, and the food is good.
• The staff are helpful and quick to get patients in to see a nurse.
• The experience at Story Medical is wonderful, with accommodating and helpful staff.
• Nurses and staff go the extra mile to ensure comfort during new procedures.
• Chloe and Barb are respectful and make patients feel dignified during transitions.
• Appointments are easy to get and scheduling is fast; patients are not kept waiting.
• Shane Higgins consistently makes patients feel heard and at ease.
• The facility is modern and well-kept, with friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Cons

• The reviewer says the facility runs fake charges and leaves patients with a $7,000 bill that can destroy their credit.
• The ER doctor wouldn’t listen to the patient, so they wouldn’t return if she were there.
• The billing department is terrible, sending bills inconsistently and sometimes to collections.
• Rachel Fredericks is described as uncaring and condescending, with appointments frequently rescheduled.
• They misdiagnosed scarlet fever as an everyday rash, potentially endangering the child.
• The reviewer claims the facility is a cash grab with poor communication and lies, prioritizing billing over patient care.

Review

Story County Medical Center in Nevada, IA is best suited for families and seniors who prize a small, community hospital atmosphere where relationships matter. The care approach centers on continuity: patients repeatedly praise long-standing primary care doctors, attentive nurses, and a team that remembers histories and treats people with dignity. The ER and clinic staff are described as friendly and responsive, with quick triage to a nurse and physicians who take time to listen before pursuing tests. The facility reads as modern and comfortable, with pleasant waiting areas, window views, and dependable food options. For elders and their families who want coordinated in-house care and a personal touch over a purely transactional experience, this setting delivers reliable, humane service and flexible payment options when needed.

That said, this is not the right fit for every family. The hospital’s intimate size means access to subspecialists and rapid escalation can be uneven, and administrative friction can surface around billing, scheduling, and prescriptions. Reviews include instances of miscommunications about appointments, insurance, or test referrals, as well as occasions where staff interactions felt disrespectful or unhelpful. For those who require highly specialized care beyond the core medical team, or who demand flawless, nationwide coordination, a larger system may be more appropriate. Those with little tolerance for delayed messages, uncertain wait times, or opaque charges should seriously weigh alternatives. In short, it serves well those who value relationship-based, local care and familiarity, less well those chasing effortless, worry-free operations.

The strongest upside lies in compassionate, patient-centered care. Doctors are repeatedly praised for listening, taking time, and collaborating with patients, backed by a capable nursing crew that makes transitions, such as post-visit follow-ups or outpatient infusions, feel smooth. The emphasis on timely access to care, short wait times to see a nurse, prompt appointment availability, and a care network that knows families, helps soften occasional administrative missteps. A modern, well-kept facility with friendly staff further reinforces reliability. Financial flexibility, including payment plans, eases the burden when expenses arise. While billing hiccups and intermittent miscommunications can complicate a visit, the core advantage, trustworthy clinicians who treat patients as people, tends to prevail for those who stay.

Real-world experiences illustrate a disciplined core: several clinicians earn high marks for practical, steady guidance; nurses in the ER and inpatient settings are described as dedicated and attentive; some doctors are singled out for their bedside manner and thoroughness. Yet there are definite caveats. A subset of reviews points to rude phone interactions or inconsistent message relay, misdiagnoses or dismissive ER experiences, and concerns about billing practices or delayed prescription processing. This mix signals a hospital capable of delivering high-quality, personal care while occasionally stumbling in operations and communication. For families who can overlook occasional administrative rough patches in exchange for dependable, human-centered care, Story County Medical Center remains a compelling option.

From a practical standpoint, cost transparency and billing clarity deserve careful diligence. Some reviewers report irregular bill arrivals, opaque portals, and difficulties tying charges to services, though others note the hospital’s willingness to work with patients via payment plans. The upside remains: strong access to primary care and a straightforward in-house care continuum, which can simplify planning for chronic conditions or post-acute needs. Prospective patients should verify in-network physicians, request itemized estimates, and clarify prescription workflows before committing. Asking about the exact process for referrals and follow-ups, and confirming who handles insurance questions, can prevent misunderstandings. In short, the financial side can be manageable with proactive, informed steps.

Bottom line: Story County Medical Center is a solid choice for families who value enduring relationships with trusted physicians, attentive nursing care, and a homey hospital vibe that emphasizes patient dignity. It suits seniors who appreciate continuity of care and a community-oriented approach, provided administrative processes are tolerated or managed with vigilance. Those who cannot tolerate inconsistent communication, misdiagnoses, or opaque billing should consider alternatives, larger systems with dedicated patient advocates or more transparent financial practices. The prudent path is to visit, meet the care team, and specifically confirm doctor availability and billing workflows. When the fit is right, the combination of personal attention and solid clinical care offers meaningful, reassuring support for ongoing health needs.

This part of Nevada, Iowa offers a variety of amenities that may be appealing for seniors looking to relocate. With two hospitals nearby, including Story County Medical Center and Mary Greeley Medical Center, residents have access to quality healthcare services. In addition, there are several pharmacies in the area for convenient medication pick-up. The town also boasts a number of places of worship, providing spiritual support and community engagement. For recreational activities, there are multiple parks within a short distance, such as Hattery Park and Ada Hayden Heritage Park. The area also offers a selection of restaurants and cafes for dining out or grabbing a cup of coffee with friends. Overall, this part of Nevada provides a mix of healthcare facilities, religious institutions, green spaces, and dining options that may cater well to seniors looking for a welcoming and vibrant community to call home.

Hospitals

• Story County Hospital North (0 miles)
• Story County Medical Center (1.2 miles)
• DaVita Ames Mary Greeley Dialysis (6.7 miles)
• Mary Greeley Medical Center (8.2 miles)
• Hearing Services of Iowa (8.7 miles)

Physicians

• Story Medical Clinic-Nevada (0 miles)
• Carleton Family Medicine (0.3 miles)
• McFarland Clinic PC (0.5 miles)
• Wolfe Eye Clinic (6.9 miles)
• Radiant Complexions Dermatology Clinics (6.9 miles)
• MercyOne Iowa Heart Center Ames (7.1 miles)
• Mercy Sleep Center (7.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Nucara Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Parkview Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (7.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (7.9 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (7.9 miles)
• Medicap Pharmacy (8.1 miles)
• Walgreens (8.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Memorial Lutheran Church (0.5 miles)
• Real Life Church (0.7 miles)
• St Mary's Church (7.1 miles)
• First United Methodist Church (8.3 miles)
• St Paul Lutheran Church (8.6 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (8.8 miles)
• Bethesda Lutheran Church ELCA (9 miles)

Transportation

• Nevada Taxi (0.7 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (8.1 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (8.1 miles)

Parks

• Hattery Park (0.7 miles)
• Hickory Grove County Park (5.1 miles)
• Hickory Grove Park (5.2 miles)
• River Valley Park (7.6 miles)
• Bandshell Park (8.1 miles)
• Inis Grove Park (8.5 miles)
• Ada Hayden Heritage Park (8.8 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Noodles & Company (8 miles)
• Wendy's (8 miles)
• Panda Express (8.1 miles)
• Jimmy John's (8.1 miles)
• Hickory Park (8.1 miles)
• B-Bop's (8.1 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (8.1 miles)
• Cafe Diem (8.3 miles)
• Starbucks (8.6 miles)
• Starbucks (9 miles)
• Provisions Lot F (9.4 miles)
• The Filling Station (9.6 miles)
• Starbucks (9.9 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Movies 12 (8.3 miles)