All states › California › Escondido › Palomar Heights Post Acute
1260 E Ohio Avenue Escondido, CA 92027 · San Diego County
All 7 nursing homes in Escondido, CA (6 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 555764 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Palomar Heights Post Acute a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record
There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for Palomar Heights Post Acute as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall, above the California average of 3.2.
Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.
Staffing
Nursing staff spend about 3.97 hours per resident per day at Palomar Heights Post Acute, below the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 0.56 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.59 hours, 10% below its all-week average. 44.9% of nursing staff left within a year (California median 36%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Palomar Heights Post Acute: Medicare and Medicaid
Palomar Heights Post Acute is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet California's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.
In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.
Health inspections
The most recent standard inspection was on August 21, 2026 and found 12 deficiencies, plus 5 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 55 citations in the last three years.
Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
What the inspections found
Over the last three years, inspectors issued 55 citations at Palomar Heights Post Acute across 13 inspection dates, 13 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on June 21, 2024. The most common areas cited were resident assessment and care planning (13) and quality of life and care (10). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals" (tag F0684, level G, June 21, 2024). 3 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
August 21, 2026 · 12 citations
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DHonor 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.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DEnsure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DProvide special eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them and appropriate assistance.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
May 21, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
April 16, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
February 17, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
May 30, 2025 · 20 citations
EProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
EEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
ESet up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DHonor 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.
DHonor 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.
DAssess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
DEncode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
DObserve each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
DProvide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DArrange for the provision of hospice services or assist the resident in transferring to a facility that will arrange for the provision of hospice services.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
October 16, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
October 9, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DKeep all essential equipment working safely.
June 21, 2024 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
March 15, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
February 15, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
December 27, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
November 27, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
March 17, 2022 · 10 citations
EAssure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months.
EEncode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
EEmploy sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
EProvide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
EEnsure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
EEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DAssess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DKeep all essential equipment working safely.
Questions to ask on a tour of Palomar Heights Post Acute
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on June 21, 2024 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on March 15, 2024. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?
Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.
Fines and payment denials
2 penalties in the last three years, including $8,176 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 21, 2024 | Fine | $8,176 |
| Jun 21, 2024 | Payment Denial | 9 days of payments denied |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Add this rating badge to your websiteFree. Shows Palomar Heights Post Acute's Medicare star rating and updates itself.
Size and colour
Preview
Paste it where the badge should appear: in WordPress, a Custom HTML block or a footer widget; on other sites, any spot that accepts HTML. The badge updates itself when CMS publishes new ratings.
Location
Hospitals near Palomar Heights Post Acute
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
-
1.0 mi
Palomar Medical Center EscondidoEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 51m for patients treated and sent home
- 6.4 mi
-
9.1 mi
Palomar Medical Center Poway PowayEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 3h 20m for patients treated and sent home
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
More nursing homes near Palomar Heights Post Acute › All nursing homes in Escondido ›
Compare Palomar Heights Post Acute with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Escondido Post Acute · Escondido · 5 stars · 1.2 mi
- Redwood Terrace Health Center · Escondido · 5 stars · 1.9 mi
- Villa Rancho Bernardo Care Center · San Diego · 5 stars · 8.7 mi
Other PACS Group nursing homes in California
- Paradise Valley Health Care · National City · 5 stars
- McClure Post Acute · Oakland · 5 stars
- Pine Creek Care Center · Roseville · 5 stars
- Bel Vista Healthcare Center · Long Beach · 5 stars
- Trellis Chino · Chino · 5 stars
- San Francisco Post Acute · San Francisco · 5 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 277 PACS Group nursing homes ›
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.