All states › California › Santa Maria › Santa Maria Post Acute
820 West Cook Street Santa Maria, CA 93458 · Santa Barbara County
All 4 nursing homes in Santa Maria, CA (4 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 055563 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria Post Acute as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall, about the same as 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 4.75 hours per resident per day at Santa Maria Post Acute, above the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 0.59 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 4.04 hours, 15% below its all-week average.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Santa Maria Post Acute: Medicare and Medicaid
Santa Maria 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 6, 2026 and found 8 deficiencies, plus 6 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 49 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 49 citations at Santa Maria Post Acute across 16 inspection dates, 16 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 49 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 0 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were resident assessment and care planning (13) and pharmacy service (9). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure 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" (tag F0803, level F, August 6, 2026). 3 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
August 6, 2026 · 8 citations
FEnsure 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.
EProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
EEnsure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.
DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
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.
June 30, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
May 1, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
April 14, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
April 1, 2026 · 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.
March 11, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
February 19, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
January 6, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
December 3, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DMake sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
November 21, 2024 · 14 citations
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DAllow residents to easily view the nursing home's survey results and communicate with advocate agencies.
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.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
DImplement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
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.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DMake sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
August 22, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
April 19, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure the facility is licensed under applicable State and local law and operates and provides services in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes, and with accepted professional standards.
April 10, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
February 13, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DNotify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
January 25, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
August 18, 2022 · 11 citations
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
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.
EPerform COVID19 testing on residents and staff.
DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
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.
DProvide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Questions to ask on a tour of Santa Maria Post Acute
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on August 6, 2026. 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 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Santa Maria 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.
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2.1 mi
Marian Medical Center Santa MariaEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 55m for patients treated and sent home
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21.4 mi
Lompoc Valley Medical Center LompocEmergency room ★☆☆☆☆ Medicare overall 1 of 5Median ER visit 2h 51m 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 Santa Maria Post Acute › All nursing homes in Santa Maria ›
Compare Santa Maria Post Acute with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Villa Maria Post Acute · Santa Maria · 5 stars · 1.2 mi
- Marian Regional Medical Center D/P SNF · Santa Maria · 5 stars · 2.3 mi
- Valley Oaks Post Acute · Santa Maria · 4 stars · 1.7 mi
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.