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1214 North Seventh Street Chariton, IA 50049 · Lucas County
CMS certification number 165305 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Chariton 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 Chariton Specialty Care as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall, above 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 3.43 hours per resident per day at Chariton Specialty Care, below the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 1.12 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.05 hours, 11% below its all-week average. 51.5% of nursing staff left within a year (Iowa median 41.7%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Chariton Specialty Care: Medicare and Medicaid
Chariton 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 January 14, 2026 and found 2 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 Chariton Specialty Care across 4 inspection dates, 4 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 15 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 0 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were nutrition and dietary (4) and resident assessment and care planning (4). 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 E, September 18, 2025). 2 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
January 14, 2026 · 2 citations
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DEnsure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
September 18, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
January 30, 2025 · 7 citations
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
DAssess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
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.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
March 7, 2024 · 5 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
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.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Questions to ask on a tour of Chariton Specialty Care
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on March 7, 2024. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- 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 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Chariton 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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0.1 mi
Lucas County Health Center CharitonEmergency roomMedian ER visit 1h 48m for patients treated and sent home
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19.0 mi
Wayne County Hospital CorydonEmergency roomMedian ER visit 2h 29m for patients treated and sent home
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21.9 mi
Knoxville Hospital & Clinics KnoxvilleEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 2h 18m 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.
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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.