Northcrest Specialty Care
2001health Street, Waterloo, IA 50703 · Black Hawk County · (319) 234-4423
94 certified beds, about 86 residents a day · Non profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1992
Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
2 of 5
Health inspections
2 of 5
Staffing
4 of 5
Quality measures
4 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 165165 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on February 12, 2026, inspectors cited 7 health deficiencies (the Iowa average is 6.5, the national average 9.2).
Of 29 health citations since January 2024, 1 was rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents.
CMS lists no fines against this home in the last three years.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 3.29 hours per resident per day, against 3.82 across Iowa and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.68 of those hours.
46.7% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Iowa average 44.0%).
CMS links it to Care Initiatives, an affiliated group of 43 nursing homes.
Health inspections
Federal rules call for a standard inspection at least every 15 months, plus a visit whenever a complaint is filed. Each mark below is one citation, colored by how serious inspectors rated it. How to read a citation.
Under each citation, the quoted text is the inspector's own summary from the federal statement of deficiencies (CMS form 2567), word for word apart from a privacy scrub; CMS removes residents' and staff names before it publishes the text. The full notes are on Medicare.gov.
1201/24
104/24
110/24
701/25
106/25
702/26
Potential for minimal harm Potential for more than minimal harm Actual harm Immediate jeopardy Found on a complaint visit
Where its citations fall on CMS's grid
CMS rates every citation by how much harm it caused (rows) and how many residents it touched (columns). The count in each box is this home's, across all 29 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
1G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
19D
8E
0F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
1B
0C
February 12, 2026Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 7 citations
- E Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interviews, resident interviews and policy review, the facility failed to provide resident call light access for alerting staff of needs or in the event of an emergency for 3 of 24 residents reviewed for call light access (Residents #42, #69, and #73). The facility reported a census of 87.
- D Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, policy review, family, and staff interviews, the facility failed to maintain a homelike environment free of odors. The facility identified a census of 87 residents.
- D Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User Manual, and staff interviews, the facility failed complete the Minimum Data Set (MDS) Assessment within 14 days of admission for 1 of 2 resident reviewed for new admission (Resident #39). The facility identified a census of 87 residents.
- D Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User Manual, and staff interviews, the facility failed encode and transmit Minimum Data Set (MDS) documents to the CMS system in the appropriate time frames for 3 of 4 records reviewed for MDS timing requirements (Residents #36, #39 and #61). The facility identified a census of 87 residents.
- D Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User Manual, and staff interviews, the facility failed to accurately code the Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR, an assessment for serious mental illness or intellectual or developmental disability for appropriate services) on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment for 2 of 2 residents sampled (Resident #6 and #10). The facility identified a census of 87 residents.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review, facility records, policy review, and staff interviews, the facility failed to utilize infection control standards to prevent cross contamination when they placed gauze that dropped on a bed pad directly on a wound for 1 of 2 residents reviewed (Resident #65). The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
- D Have policies on smoking.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, facility records, record review, policy review, resident and staff interviews the facility failed to follow their smoking policies to ensure resident safety for 1 of 1 resident reviewed (Resident #70). The facility failed to complete a smoking assessment or safety assessment to ensure a resident could safely smoke alone in the designated smoking area off the facility's property. In addition, the facility failed to ensure the facility grounds remained smoke free as declared by the staff with 50 cigarette butts on the facility's ground near the area of a resident observed smoking. The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
June 4, 2025Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to provide adequate grooming for 1 of 4 residents reviewed (Resident #1). An observation revealed Resident #1 still wore his t-shirt from bedtime, the following day. In addition, Resident #1 had hairs remaining on his shirt after his visit to the barber, the day before. The facility reported a census of 82 residents.
January 30, 2025Standard inspection · 7 citations
- E Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interviews, and record review the facility failed to remove expired foods from storage, to maintain a sanitary environment, and to date opened food during 2 of 2 observations. The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
- E Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines, policy review and staff interview, the facility failed to implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions when providing high contact care for assessing a fistula (dialysis access site), working with a gastrostomy (G) tube (feeding tube) and emptying a Urinary catheter drainage bag for 3 of 3 resident sampled (Resident #10, #128 and #132). In addition, the facility failed to provide adequate infection control prevention and practices to prevent touching medication with bare hands or dirty gloves during medication administration for 3 of 4 resident observed (Resident #34, #43 and #63). The facility identified a census of 87 residents.
- D Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Long Term Care (LTC) Facility Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User's Manual, and staff interviews, the facility failed to accurately complete the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment to accurately reflect the medication status for 1 of 1 resident reviewed on anticoagulant (blood thinner) medications (Resident #10). The facility identified a census of 87 residents.
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, policy review and staff interview the facility failed to provide a timely assessment and physician notification for a resident with a history of bowel obstructions and peptic ulcer disease who exhibited nausea, vomiting, and loose stools for 1 of 1 resident's reviewed (Resident #45). The facility identified a census of 87 residents.
- D Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, and staff interview, the facility failed to provide food to a resident while out of the facility while they received renal dialysis for 1 of 1 resident's sampled (Resident #128). The facility identified a census of 87 residents.
- D Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Inspectors wroteBased on resident interview, record review, staff interview, and policy review the facility failed to administer the flu vaccine for 1 of 6 residents reviewed (Resident #9). The resident requested the vaccine during her admission assessment. The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
- D Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
Inspectors wroteBased on resident interview, record review, staff interview, and policy review the facility failed to administer the flu vaccine for 1 of 6 residents reviewed (Resident #9). The resident requested the vaccine during her admission assessment. The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
October 1, 2024Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- G Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, staff interview, and observation the facility failed to provide appropriate assessment and intervention for one of three residents reviewed (Resident #1). The facility reported a census of 79 residents.
April 11, 2024Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, staff, resident, physician, and pharmacist interview and policy review the facility failed to ensure 1 of 1 residents (Resident #4) pain medication patch was removed prior to applying a new pain medication patch. The facility reported a census of 84 residents.
January 30, 2024Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 12 citations
- E Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview, policy review, and record review the facility failed to respond or provide a rationale for the response to the Resident Council group concerns. The deficient practice had the potential to affect many residents in the facility. The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
- E Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, policy review, and staff interview, the facility failed to take prompt action to address resident concerns, failed to ensure the residents/resident representatives had the ability to file grievances anonymously, failed to ensure the resident/resident representative were notified of the expected time frame for completing the review of the grievance, failed to provide the resident/resident representative a written decision regarding his or her grievance, and failed to ensure that all written grievance decisions included the date the grievance was received, a summary statement of the resident's grievance, the steps taken to investigate the grievance, a summary of the pertinent findings or conclusions regarding the resident's concerns(s), a statement as to whether the grievance was confirmed or not confirmed, any corrective action taken or to be taken by the facility [...]
- E Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, policy review, staff and resident interviews, the facility failed to ensure that residents that required assistance with their activities of daily living (ADL's) received bath assistance per their request and failed to ensure residents received appropriate peri-care for 5 of 7 residents sampled (Residents #17, #27, #48, #69, and #82). The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
- E Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
Inspectors wroteBased staff interview and job description review the facility failed to ensure the Dietary Manager was certified as required. The facility reported a census 87 residents.
- E Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interview, and policy review the facility failed to maintain a working call light system. The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
- D Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, and staff interview the facility failed to promote resident dignity when dirty linens were passed over the top of a resident while laying in bed awake during cares and failed to allow a resident to eat in the main dining room per the resident's request for 2 of 5 residents observed (Resident #48 and #69). The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
- D Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, staff interview, and policy review, the facility failed to document an accurate code status for 2 of 2 residents reviewed for advanced directives (Resident #42 and #141). The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
- D Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, resident and staff interviews the facility failed to promote a homelike environment by allowing a resident to eat meals from a dirty bedside table for 1 of 9 residents observed (Resident #80). The facility identified a census of 87 residents.
- D Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User's Manual review, and staff interview the facility failed to complete the Minimum Data Set (MDS) admission Assessment, Care Area Assessments (CAA) and Care Plan within the required time frame for 1 of 4 residents sampled on hospice care (Resident #69). The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
- D Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, staff interviews, and policy review, the facility failed to accurately complete a comprehensive Care Plan for 1 of 3 residents reviewed for positioning (Resident #45). The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, policy review, and staff interviews, the facility failed to have a safe smoking area for 1 of 1 residents reviewed (Resident #74). The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
- B Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, staff interviews, and the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) manual, the facility failed to accurately document and submit accurate resident Minimum Data Set (MDS) Assessments for 2 of 15 residents reviewed (Resident #9 and #45). The facility reported a census of 87 residents.
Fire safety inspections
17 fire safety citations on file: 2 on January 30, 2025, 15 on January 30, 2024.
Every fire safety citation17 citations
- F Have exits that are accessible at all times.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
- F Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach.
- F Address patient/client population and determine types of services needed.
- F Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.
- F Address subsistence needs for staff and patients.
- F Establish procedures for tracking staff and patients during an emergency.
- F Establish policies and procedures including evacuation.
- F Provide emergency officials' contact information.
- F Provide primary/alternate means for communication.
- F Establish emergency prep training and testing.
- F Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
- F To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Fines and payment denials
CMS lists no fines or payment denials against this home in the last three years. The national average is 0.9 fines per home.
Staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, from the payroll records every home sends CMS. Higher means more staff time with each resident.
| Measure | This home | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.29 | 3.82 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.68 | 0.74 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 2.97 | 3.37 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 1.96 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.64 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 46.7% | 44.0% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 61.9% | 42.1% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 3.17 hours a day for residents as sick as this home's (its case-mix figure). The staffing star compares the two.
Staffing by quarter, from daily payroll records
Every nursing home sends CMS its staff hours for each day (the Payroll Based Journal). Here they are added up by quarter. The latest quarter is the one behind the figures above. In January to March 2026, nursing staff hours per resident were 3.42 on weekdays and 2.97 on weekends, 13% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 0.0% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 3.49 in April to June 2025 to 3.29 in January to March 2026.
| Quarter | All nursing staff | Registered nurses | Weekdays | Weekends | Contract staff share | Days with no RN hours | Residents a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.29 | 0.68 | 3.42 | 2.97 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 86 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.28 | 0.70 | 3.42 | 2.92 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 87 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.51 | 0.70 | 3.64 | 3.18 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 81 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.49 | 0.63 | 3.64 | 3.12 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 82 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Iowa, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.80 | 0.71 | 3.98 | 3.36 | 4.7% | 0.3% of days |
Hours per resident per day: staff hours in the quarter divided by resident days (the daily census CMS derives from resident assessments). Registered nurses include the director of nursing and RNs with administrative duties; aides include nurse aides in training and medication aides, as in CMS's own staffing measure. How these are calculated.
Staff pay reports
Staff pay at this home
No staff pay figure for this home has passed review yet. A figure appears only after at least 5 reports from at least 3 different people, sent over at least 60 days, have passed review.
Official wage estimates for Iowa
| Job | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa, all employers | |||
| CNAs (nursing assistants) | $18.92 | $17.96 to $21.95 | 22,670 |
| LPNs and LVNs | $30.11 | $27.12 to $34.06 | 5,510 |
| Registered nurses | $37.80 | $32.83 to $41.32 | 34,420 |
| United States, nursing care facilities | |||
| CNAs (nursing assistants) | $20.67 | $17.91 to $22.55 | 534,270 |
| LPNs and LVNs | $33.86 | $30.05 to $37.40 | 188,210 |
| Registered nurses | $41.11 | $37.85 to $47.68 | 142,270 |
Hourly wages; the middle half runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. BLS has no separate estimate for medication aides. These are survey estimates for whole occupations, not figures for any one home.
Quality measures
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Iowa | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 12.0 | 17.1 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.1 | 3.8 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.8 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 14.2 | 16.6 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 20.8 | 19.4 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 15.9 | 20.9 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 11.0 | 13.2 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: CARE INITIATIVES. CMS links this home to Care Initiatives, a group of 43 nursing homes averaging 2.9 stars overall.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Care Initiatives | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 100% | 08/01/2012 |
| Computershare Corporate Trust Company, Na | 5% or greater mortgage interest | Organization | 01/01/2025 | |
| Beal, Michael | Corporate director | Individual | 06/01/2020 | |
| Bowen, Lane | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2021 | |
| Carothers, Mary Jane | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2023 | |
| Childs, Kevin | Corporate director | Individual | 04/01/2023 | |
| Corless, Peter | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Krein, Keith | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2022 | |
| Rust, Elizabeth | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2023 | |
| Sturm, Denise | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2021 | |
| Upmeyer, Linda | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2022 | |
| Beal, Michael | Corporate officer | Individual | 06/01/2020 | |
| Dixon, David | Corporate officer | Individual | 06/01/2016 | |
| Drake, Emily | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/04/2023 | |
| Gilyard, Tanya | Corporate officer | Individual | 05/23/2025 | |
| Kuhn, Jeramy | Corporate officer | Individual | 06/25/2008 | |
| McDyer, Jessica | Corporate officer | Individual | 02/22/2023 | |
| Volm, Johanna | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/01/2021 | |
| Adams, Russell | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/01/2024 | |
| Baedke, Charissa | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/01/2024 | |
| Bode, Jesse | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 12/18/2023 | |
| Beal, Michael | Individual is an owner, partner or trustee of any ADP of the SNF | Individual | 09/15/2025 | |
| Computershare Corporate Trust Company, Na | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 08/05/2025 | |
| Adams, Russell | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 08/05/2025 | |
| Bode, Jesse | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 08/05/2025 |
As listed in the CMS ownership file, which names owners with a 5% or greater stake and the people and companies with operational or managerial control.
Questions to ask on a visit
Chosen from this home's own inspection record.
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 7 problems in this area, most recently on February 12, 2026: "Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months."
- How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 7 problems in this area, most recently on June 4, 2025: "Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable."
- How do residents and families raise a complaint or grievance, and how fast is it answered?Inspectors cited 6 problems in this area, most recently on February 12, 2026: "Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely."
- What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 4 problems in this area, most recently on February 12, 2026: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 2.97 hours per resident per day, below the Iowa average of 3.37.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Harmony Waterloo Waterloo, 3.7 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 22 citations
- Ravenwood Specialty Care Waterloo, 3.9 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 37 citations
- Friendship Village Retirement Waterloo, 3.9 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 10 citations
- Pillar of Cedar Valley Waterloo, 4.5 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 24 citations
- Pinnacle Specialty Care Cedar Falls, 6 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 25 citations
- The Suites at Western Home Communities Cedar Falls, 6.2 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 11 citations
- Martin Health Center, Inc Cedar Falls, 6.3 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 9 citations
- Newaldaya Lifescapes Cedar Falls, 6.6 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 18 citations
Iowa contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Iowa. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Health Facilities, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Iowa Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, 866-236-1430. The long-term care ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate for residents and families, set up under the federal Older Americans Act.
- State inspection reports: Iowa Health Facility Database, Entity Search, where Iowa publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Northcrest Specialty Care's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Northcrest Specialty Care 2 out of 5 stars overall, with 2 for health inspections, 4 for staffing and 4 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Northcrest Specialty Care get at its last inspection?
- 7 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on February 12, 2026. The Iowa average is 6.5.
- Has Northcrest Specialty Care been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Northcrest Specialty Care accept Medicaid?
- It is certified to take Medicaid (CMS lists it as "Medicare and Medicaid"). Certification does not mean a Medicaid bed is open: ask the admissions office.
- Who owns Northcrest Specialty Care?
- CMS lists 25 owners and managers, and links the home to Care Initiatives. Legal business name: CARE INITIATIVES.
Sources
- Ratings, staffing and fines: CMS Provider Information, released September 30, 2026, data as of September 1, 2026.
- Citations: CMS Health Deficiencies and Fire Safety Deficiencies.
- Owners: CMS Ownership. Penalties: CMS Penalties.
- Staffing by quarter: CMS Payroll Based Journal Daily Nurse Staffing, April 2025 to March 2026, summed by NursingHomeClear.
- Inspector summaries: CMS Full Statement of Deficiencies (CMS-2567 text), data as of September 1, 2026. Each quote is the part of the statement before the detailed findings.
- Inspection reports with the inspectors' full notes are on this home's Medicare.gov page.
- Something wrong on this page? Ask for a correction. We fix errors in our copy of the data; findings themselves can only be changed by CMS and the state.
- NursingHomeClear is independent and not affiliated with CMS, Medicare or any state agency. This page reports federal records; it does not rate, recommend or endorse any home, and it is not medical or legal advice.