All states › Iowa › Cedar Rapids › Heritage Specialty Care
200 Clive Drive SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 · Linn County
All 10 nursing homes in Cedar Rapids, IA (9 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 165310 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Heritage Specialty Care 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 Heritage Specialty Care as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 1 out of 5 stars overall, below the Iowa average of 3.1.
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 3.56 hours per resident per day at Heritage Specialty Care, below the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 0.63 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.21 hours, 10% below its all-week average. 45.3% of nursing staff left within a year (Iowa median 41.7%). 3 administrators left in the past year.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Heritage Specialty Care: Medicare and Medicaid
Heritage Specialty Care 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 Iowa'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 May 28, 2026 and found 6 deficiencies, plus 4 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 45 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 45 citations at Heritage Specialty Care across 13 inspection dates, 28 of them from complaint investigations. 5 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on November 6, 2025. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (18) and nutrition and dietary (7). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents" (tag F0689, level G, November 6, 2025).
May 28, 2026 · 6 citations
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
DEnsure that the facility has sufficient staff members who possess the competencies and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of residents.
DEducate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
March 2, 2026 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
November 6, 2025 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
August 26, 2025 · 5 citations · includes complaint inspection
EReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
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.
EHave a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
June 12, 2025 · 3 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
GEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
May 22, 2025 · 4 citations
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
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.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
March 5, 2025 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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.
February 4, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
EMake sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
November 20, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
October 16, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
August 22, 2024 · 7 citations, includes actual harm
GProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
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.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
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.
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.
BGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
November 30, 2023 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
November 2, 2023 · 5 citations · includes complaint inspection
FEmploy sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
FHave a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Questions to ask on a tour of Heritage Specialty Care
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on November 6, 2025 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- Several administrators left in the past year. What has changed for residents since then?
- 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?
- 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
1 penalty in the last three years, including $14,365 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 6, 2025 | Fine | $14,365 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| August 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 1/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Heritage Specialty Care
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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3.4 mi
St Lukes Hospital Cedar RapidsEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 2h 46m for patients treated and sent home
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3.5 mi
Mercy Medical Center - Cedar Rapids Cedar RapidsEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 2h 28m for patients treated and sent home
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20.6 mi
Virginia Gay Hospital VintonEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 1h 19m 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
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Compare Heritage Specialty Care with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- West Ridge Care Center · Cedar Rapids · 5 stars · 1.0 mi
- Meth-Wick Health Center · Cedar Rapids · 5 stars · 2.0 mi
- The Gardens of Cedar Rapids · Cedar Rapids · 5 stars · 2.1 mi
- St Luke's Helen G Nassif Transitional Care Center · Cedar Rapids · 5 stars · 4.6 mi
Other Care Initiatives nursing homes in Iowa
- Sibley Specialty Care · Sibley · 5 stars
- Lamoni Specialty Care · Lamoni · 5 stars
- Fonda Specialty Care · Fonda · 5 stars
- Wapello Specialty Care · Wapello · 5 stars
- Mechanicsville Specialty Care · Mechanicsville · 5 stars
- Laporte City Specialty Care · La Porte City · 5 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 43 Care Initiatives 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.