All states › California › Tulare › Tulare Healthcare & Wellness Center
680 East Merritt Avenue Tulare, CA 93274 · Tulare County
All 3 nursing homes in Tulare, CA (3 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 055649 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Tulare Healthcare & Wellness 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 Tulare Healthcare & Wellness Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below 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 4.12 hours per resident per day at Tulare Healthcare & Wellness Center, below the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 0.19 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.77 hours, 8% below its all-week average.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Tulare Healthcare & Wellness Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Tulare Healthcare & Wellness 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 March 12, 2026 and found 16 deficiencies, plus 5 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 73 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 73 citations at Tulare Healthcare & Wellness Center across 21 inspection dates, 22 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 73 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 0 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were resident rights (16) and quality of life and care (15). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature" (tag F0804, level F, March 12, 2026). 5 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
August 20, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
April 16, 2026 · 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.
March 12, 2026 · 16 citations
FEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
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 a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
EEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DVerify that a nurse aide has been trained; and if they haven't worked as a nurse aide for 2 years, receive retraining.
DObserve each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
DEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
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.
DKeep all essential equipment working safely.
DMake sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
December 23, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
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.
November 24, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DHelp the resident with transportation to and from laboratory services outside of the facility.
August 20, 2025 · 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.
July 3, 2025 · 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.
April 30, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
December 27, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EProvide enough power supply for lighting all entrances and exits; equipment for fire detection and alarm systems, and extinguishers.
October 24, 2024 · 19 citations
FProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
EHonor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
EEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
EProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
EProvide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
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.
DKeep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
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 routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.
DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
DEnsure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
September 18, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
July 31, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DPrepare residents for a safe transfer or discharge from the nursing home.
June 28, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
May 15, 2024 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
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.
May 9, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
February 26, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
February 5, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
January 26, 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.
January 25, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DPrepare residents for a safe transfer or discharge from the nursing home.
November 20, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DNot hire anyone with a finding of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or theft.
November 10, 2022 · 16 citations
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
FProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
EAllow resident to participate in the development and implementation of his or her person-centered plan of care.
ECoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
ECreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DAllow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
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.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
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 activities to meet all resident's needs.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
DProvide or obtain dental services for each resident.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Questions to ask on a tour of Tulare Healthcare & Wellness Center
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on August 20, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- CMS rates staffing 2 out of 5. How many residents does each nurse aide care for on day, evening and night shifts?
- CMS rates short-stay quality 1 out of 5. How often do rehab patients go back to the hospital, and how many therapy sessions a week are typical?
- 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 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Tulare Healthcare & Wellness 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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0.1 mi
Adventist Health Tulare TulareEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 18m for patients treated and sent home
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7.8 mi
Kaweah Delta Medical Center VisaliaEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 4h 14m for patients treated and sent home
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19.3 mi
Hanford Community Medical Center HanfordEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 0m 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 Tulare Healthcare & Wellness Center › All nursing homes in Tulare ›
Compare Tulare Healthcare & Wellness Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Delta Healthcare & Wellness Center · Visalia · 5 stars · 8.2 mi
- Westgate Gardens Care Center · Visalia · 4 stars · 6.8 mi
- Kaweah Health Skilled Nursing Center · Visalia · 4 stars · 7.1 mi
- Grand Oaks Care · Tulare · 3 stars · 0.1 mi
Other Corporate Interface Services nursing homes in California
- West Pico Terrace Healthcare & Wellness Centre · Los Angeles · 5 stars
- West Hollywood Healthcare & Wellness Centre · Los Angeles · 5 stars
- Delta Healthcare & Wellness Center · Visalia · 5 stars
- North Point Healthcare & Wellness Centre · Fresno · 5 stars
- Oxnard Manor Healthcare Center · Oxnard · 5 stars
- Pine Grove Healthcare & Wellness Centre · San Gabriel · 4 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 40 Corporate Interface Services 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.