All states › California › San Diego › Hillcrest Heights Healthcare Center
4033 Sixth Avenue Ext San Diego, CA 92103 · San Diego County
All 21 nursing homes in San Diego, CA (17 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 555630 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Hillcrest Heights Healthcare Center 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 Hillcrest Heights Healthcare Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 5 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 4.09 hours per resident per day at Hillcrest Heights Healthcare Center, below the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 0.73 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.74 hours, 9% below its all-week average. 31% of nursing staff left within a year (California median 36%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Hillcrest Heights Healthcare Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Hillcrest Heights Healthcare Center 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 January 9, 2025 and found 7 deficiencies, plus 1 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 42 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 42 citations at Hillcrest Heights Healthcare Center across 12 inspection dates, 13 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 42 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 0 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (11) and resident assessment and care planning (9). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards" (tag F0812, level F, February 1, 2024). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
November 25, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
June 6, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
May 21, 2025 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
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
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
January 9, 2025 · 7 citations
EProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
EEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
EEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
ESafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DEnsure 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.
November 7, 2024 · 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.
October 17, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DHonor 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.
October 4, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
February 12, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
February 1, 2024 · 14 citations · includes complaint inspection
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
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.
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DCoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
DPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
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 care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
DProvide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DImplement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
December 21, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
November 15, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DPrepare residents for a safe transfer or discharge from the nursing home.
May 19, 2022 · 10 citations
EHonor 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.
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.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DProvide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
DKeep all essential equipment working safely.
Questions to ask on a tour of Hillcrest Heights Healthcare Center
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on February 1, 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
CMS reports no fines or payment denials for this home in the last three years.
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Hillcrest Heights Healthcare Center
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
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0.4 mi
University of California San Diego Medical Center San DiegoEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 4h 19m for patients treated and sent home
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0.6 mi
Scripps Mercy Hospital San DiegoEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 3h 14m for patients treated and sent home
- 1.5 mi
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
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Other Aspen Skilled Healthcare nursing homes in California
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- University Post-Acute Rehab · Sacramento · 5 stars
- Stonebrook Health and Rehabilitation · Los Gatos · 5 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 35 Aspen Skilled Healthcare 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.