facebook tracking Emerald Coast Center, Fort Walton Beach FL: CMS Ratings
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Emerald Coast Center

All states › Florida › Fort Walton Beach › Emerald Coast Center

114 Third Street SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 · Okaloosa County

(850) 243-6134

All 3 nursing homes in Fort Walton Beach, FL (3 take Medicaid)

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 120 certified beds For profit

CMS certification number 105265 · 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 Emerald Coast 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 Emerald Coast Center as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall, above the Florida average of 3.3. Inspectors issued 15 citations in the last three years. CMS imposed 2 penalties, including $17,114 in fines, in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 3 out of 5; for long-term residents, 5 out of 5. Those results differ a lot, so ask about the unit your family member would be on.

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.

Next steps

Compare with the 3 closest homes

Staffing

Nursing staff spend about 3.24 hours per resident per day at Emerald Coast Center, below the Florida median of 3.67 (US median: 3.72). About 0.57 of those hours are from registered nurses. Weekend staffing is close to its all-week average. 35.5% of nursing staff left within a year (Florida median 42%).

Nursing care per resident per day 3.24 hours
Below the Florida median of 3.67 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.57 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 3.11 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 35.5% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 47.1% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left 1 in the past year Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds120
Residents per day 102 About 85% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipFor profit - Individual
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceAugust 1973
Part of a chainHearthstone Senior Communities
Legal business nameEMERALD COAST REHABILITATION CENTER LLC

Paying for care at Emerald Coast Center: Medicare and Medicaid

Emerald Coast 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 Florida'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 September 25, 2025 and found 3 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 15 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 15 citations at Emerald Coast Center across 4 inspection dates, 2 of them from complaint investigations. 2 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on April 26, 2024. The most common areas cited were resident rights (6) and resident assessment and care planning (4). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged" (tag F0622, level G, April 26, 2024).

September 25, 2025 · 3 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 (Oct 3, 2025)

DDevelop 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 (Oct 3, 2025)

DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 3, 2025)

July 18, 2024 · 6 citations

DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0552 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 18, 2024)

DAllow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0554 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 18, 2024)

DPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0645 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 18, 2024)

DDevelop 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 (Aug 18, 2024)

DDispose of garbage and refuse properly.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0814 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 18, 2024)

DInform resident or representatives choice to enter into binding arbitration agreement and right to refuse.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0847 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 18, 2024)

April 26, 2024 · 2 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection

GNot transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.

Actual harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0622 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 21, 2024)

GProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.

Actual harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0623 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 21, 2024)

April 13, 2023 · 4 citations

FProcure 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 13, 2023)

DHonor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0557 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 13, 2023)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0688 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 13, 2023)

BCoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

Potential for minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0644 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 13, 2023)

Questions to ask on a tour of Emerald Coast Center

  1. Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on April 26, 2024 under the rule on resident rights. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
  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

2 penalties in the last three years, including $17,114 in fines.

DateTypeAmount or length
Apr 26, 2024 Fine $8,557
Apr 26, 2024 Fine $8,557

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 5/5 4/5 3/5 5/5
August 2026 4/5 4/5 3/5 4/5
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Location

Hospitals near Emerald Coast Center

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

  • 3.6 mi
    Fort Walton Beach Medical Center Fort Walton Beach
    Emergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5
    Median ER visit 2h 19m for patients treated and sent home
  • 4.7 mi
    96th Medical Group (Eglin AFB) Eglin AFB
    Emergency room
    Median ER visit 1h 37m for patients treated and sent home
  • 10.8 mi
    Twin Cities Hospital Niceville
    Emergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5
    Median ER visit 1h 54m 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

Westwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Fort Walton Beach · 3.6 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 5/5 · Staffing 2/5 60 beds · Medicaid
Fort Walton Rehabilitation Center Fort Walton Beach · 4.2 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 5/5 · Staffing 2/5 120 beds · Medicaid
Destination Health and Rehabilitation Center Destin · 8.1 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 5/5 · Staffing 4/5 119 beds
The Manor at Blue Water Bay Niceville · 12.4 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 5/5 · Staffing 4/5 120 beds · Medicaid
Grand Boulevard Health and Rehabilitation Center Miramar Beach · 17.7 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 2/5 97 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Emerald Coast Center ›   All nursing homes in Fort Walton Beach ›

Compare Emerald Coast Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

Other Hearthstone Senior Communities nursing homes in Florida

Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 8 Hearthstone Senior Communities 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/florida/fort-walton-beach/emerald-coast-center/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.