All states › California › Santa Maria › Valley Oaks Post Acute
830 East Chapel Street Santa Maria, CA 93454 · Santa Barbara County
All 4 nursing homes in Santa Maria, CA (4 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 055826 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Valley Oaks 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 Valley Oaks 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 4.75 hours per resident per day at Valley Oaks Post Acute, above the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 0.78 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.84 hours, 19% below its all-week average. Ask how weekends are staffed.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Valley Oaks Post Acute: Medicare and Medicaid
Valley Oaks 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 February 12, 2026 and found 4 deficiencies, plus 1 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 33 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 33 citations at Valley Oaks Post Acute across 9 inspection dates, 9 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 33 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 (8) and quality of life and care (7). 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, December 19, 2024). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
June 30, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
February 12, 2026 · 4 citations
EEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DKeep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
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.
September 9, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
July 3, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DAssess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
July 2, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
January 27, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
December 19, 2024 · 5 citations
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
ESet up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DHonor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs.
November 19, 2024 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
February 17, 2022 · 15 citations
FProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EHonor 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.
EEnsure the activities program is directed by a qualified professional.
EHave a policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DAssess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
DEnsure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
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 obtain dental services for each resident.
DProvide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
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.
Questions to ask on a tour of Valley Oaks Post Acute
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on November 19, 2024. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Weekend staffing is 19% below the all-week average. Who is on duty on Saturday nights?
- 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 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| August 2026 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Valley Oaks 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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0.4 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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21.7 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 Valley Oaks Post Acute › All nursing homes in Santa Maria ›
Compare Valley Oaks 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 · 0.6 mi
- Marian Regional Medical Center D/P SNF · Santa Maria · 5 stars · 0.6 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.