All states › Florida › Lakeland › Highlands Lake Center
4240 Lakeland Highlands Rd Lakeland, FL 33813 · Polk County
All 12 nursing homes in Lakeland, FL (12 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 105620 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Highlands Lake 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 Highlands Lake Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Florida average of 3.3.
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 3.36 hours per resident per day at Highlands Lake Center, below the Florida median of 3.67 (US median: 3.72). About 0.64 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.11 hours, 7% below its all-week average. 54.5% of nursing staff left within a year (Florida median 42%). High turnover can mean residents see unfamiliar caregivers; ask how long the nurses on the unit have worked there.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Highlands Lake Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Highlands Lake 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 March 7, 2024 and found 12 deficiencies, plus 5 from complaint inspections in the same period. CMS notes that this home's most recent inspection was more than two years ago. In total, inspectors issued 32 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 32 citations at Highlands Lake Center across 6 inspection dates, 10 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 32 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 0 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were pharmacy service (9) and quality of life and care (8). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist" (tag F0755, level E, November 5, 2025).
November 5, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
April 17, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
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.
DProvide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
August 6, 2024 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
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.
DHonor 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.
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.
March 7, 2024 · 15 citations · includes complaint inspection
EGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
EEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
ECoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
DHonor each resident's preferences, choices, values and beliefs.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DProvide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
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.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
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.
DMake sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
November 18, 2021 · 8 citations
EEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
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.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
February 28, 2020 · 2 citations
EEnsure 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.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Questions to ask on a tour of Highlands Lake Center
- CMS rates staffing 2 out of 5. How many residents does each nurse aide care for on day, evening and night shifts?
- Nursing staff turnover was 54.5% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
- CMS rates short-stay quality 2 out of 5. How often do rehab patients go back to the hospital, and how many therapy sessions a week are typical?
- The last standard inspection was more than two years ago. Can I see any recent complaint inspection results?
- 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 | 4/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Highlands Lake 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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5.4 mi
Lakeland Regional Medical Center LakelandEmergency room ★☆☆☆☆ Medicare overall 1 of 5Median ER visit 2h 35m for patients treated and sent home
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6.8 mi
Bartow Regional Medical Center BartowEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 8m for patients treated and sent home
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12.4 mi
Winter Haven Hospital Winter HavenEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 13m 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 Highlands Lake Center › All nursing homes in Lakeland ›
Compare Highlands Lake Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Florida Presbyterian Homes · Lakeland · 5 stars · 3.8 mi
- The Manor at Carpenters · Lakeland · 4 stars · 8.2 mi
- The Club at Lake Gibson · Lakeland · 3 stars · 8.2 mi
Other Aston Health nursing homes in Florida
- Debary Health and Rehabilitation Center · Debary · 5 stars
- Osprey Point Nursing Center · Bushnell · 5 stars
- Coastal Health and Rehabilitation Center · Daytona Beach · 5 stars
- Parkside Health and Rehabilitation Center · Deland · 5 stars
- Seaside Health and Rehabilitation Center · Daytona Beach · 5 stars
- Fouraker Hills Rehab and Nursing Center · Jacksonville · 4 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 38 Aston Health 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.