facebook tracking Lake Balboa Care Center, Van Nuys CA: CMS Ratings
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Lake Balboa Care Center

All states › California › Van Nuys › Lake Balboa Care Center

16955 Vanowen Street Van Nuys, CA 91406 · Los Angeles County

(818) 343-0700

All 6 nursing homes in Van Nuys, CA (6 take Medicaid)

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 50 certified beds For profit

CMS certification number 056180 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare

Ratings come from CMS and are updated monthly; these are from October 2026. Check the latest inspection report and visit in person before you decide.

Is Lake Balboa Care 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 Lake Balboa Care Center as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall, above the California average of 3.2. Inspectors issued 30 citations in the last three years. CMS reports no fines or payment denials in that time.

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 5.00 hours per resident per day at Lake Balboa Care Center, above the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 1.05 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 4.31 hours, 14% below its all-week average. 21.1% of nursing staff left within a year (California median 36%). That is lower than most homes in California, a sign of a steadier team.

Nursing care per resident per day 5.00 hours
Above the California median of 4.27 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 1.05 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 4.31 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 21.1% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 20% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left 0 in the past year Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds50
Residents per day 46 About 92% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipFor profit - Corporation
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceMay 1972
Part of a chainThe Ensign Group
Legal business nameNIGHTFALL HEALTHCARE INC

Paying for care at Lake Balboa Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid

Lake Balboa Care 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 April 12, 2026 and found 9 deficiencies, plus 8 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 30 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 30 citations at Lake Balboa Care Center across 9 inspection dates, 10 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 27 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 3 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were resident rights (8) and nutrition and dietary (6). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "not require residents to give up Medicare or Medicaid benefits, or pay privately as a condition of admission; and must tell residents what care they do not provide" (tag F0620, level E, July 23, 2026).

July 23, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection

ENot require residents to give up Medicare or Medicaid benefits, or pay privately as a condition of admission; and must tell residents what care they do not provide.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0620 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 15, 2026)

DGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0582 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 15, 2026)

April 12, 2026 · 9 citations

EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0656 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)

EProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)

EEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0760 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)

EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)

DEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0804 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)

DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)

DDispose of garbage and refuse properly.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0814 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)

DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0842 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)

BProvide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.

Potential for minimal harm · Environmental Deficiencies · Tag F0912 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 4, 2026)

March 12, 2026 · 4 citations · includes complaint inspection

EProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 3, 2026)

EProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0692 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 3, 2026)

EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 3, 2026)

DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0806 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 3, 2026)

January 26, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

DKeep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0583 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 11, 2026)

December 5, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 18, 2025)

March 30, 2025 · 5 citations

DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0550 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 8, 2025)

DKeep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0583 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 8, 2025)

DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0697 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 8, 2025)

DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 8, 2025)

BProvide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.

Potential for minimal harm · Environmental Deficiencies · Tag F0912 · Waiver has been granted (Apr 8, 2025)

December 18, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 10, 2025)

December 13, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 21, 2025)

March 21, 2024 · 6 citations

EProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0755 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 10, 2024)

DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0550 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 10, 2024)

DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0558 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 10, 2024)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0578 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 10, 2024)

DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 10, 2024)

BProvide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.

Potential for minimal harm · Environmental Deficiencies · Tag F0912 · Waiver has been granted (Apr 10, 2024)

Questions to ask on a tour of Lake Balboa Care Center

  1. What do families most often ask you about before moving in?
  2. Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
  3. 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 monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 4/5 3/5 4/5 5/5
August 2026 4/5 3/5 3/5 5/5
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Location

Hospitals near Lake Balboa Care Center

The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.

Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.

Nearby nursing homes

California Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center Van Nuys · 1.7 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 3/5 201 beds · Medicaid
Berkley Post-Acute Van Nuys · 1.7 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 5/5 125 beds · Medicaid
Terrace Post Acute Van Nuys · 1.9 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 4/5 133 beds · Medicaid
Park View Nursing and Subacute Reseda · 2.3 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 3/5 99 beds · Medicaid
Eisenberg Village Reseda · 2.3 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 4/5 166 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Lake Balboa Care Center ›   All nursing homes in Van Nuys ›

Compare Lake Balboa Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

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Other The Ensign Group nursing homes in California

Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 347 The Ensign 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.

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https://www.nursinghomesineachstate.com/california/van-nuys/lake-balboa-care-center/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.