facebook tracking Bethany Lutheran Home, Council Bluffs IA: CMS Ratings
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Bethany Lutheran Home

All states › Iowa › Council Bluffs › Bethany Lutheran Home

Seven Elliott Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503 · Pottawattamie County

(712) 328-9500

All 5 nursing homes in Council Bluffs, IA (5 take Medicaid)

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 112 certified beds Non profit

CMS certification number 165524 · 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 Bethany Lutheran Home 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 Bethany Lutheran Home as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 1 out of 5 stars overall, below the Iowa average of 3.1. Inspectors issued 43 citations in the last three years. CMS imposed 2 penalties, including $27,771 in fines, in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 2 out of 5; for long-term residents, 3 out of 5.

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 3.97 hours per resident per day at Bethany Lutheran Home, above the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 0.32 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.65 hours, 8% below its all-week average. 40.4% of nursing staff left within a year (Iowa median 41.7%).

Nursing care per resident per day 3.97 hours
Above the Iowa median of 3.76 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.32 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 3.65 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 40.4% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 63.6% 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 beds112
Residents per day 91 About 81% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipNon profit - Other
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceNovember 2003
Legal business nameBETHANY LUTHERAN HOME

Paying for care at Bethany Lutheran Home: Medicare and Medicaid

Bethany Lutheran Home 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 October 2, 2025 and found 6 deficiencies, plus 3 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 43 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 43 citations at Bethany Lutheran Home across 9 inspection dates, 15 of them from complaint investigations. 2 were at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on October 2, 2025 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (12) and resident assessment and care planning (12). 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 J, October 2, 2025). 2 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.

May 21, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

DProtect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0602 · Complaint inspection · Past Non-Compliance

October 2, 2025 · 8 citations, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection

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

Immediate jeopardy · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Complaint inspection · Past Non-Compliance (Jul 21, 2025)

FProvide 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 (Nov 25, 2025)

EProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0725 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 25, 2025)

DAssess the resident when there is a significant change in condition

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0637 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 25, 2025)

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0644 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 25, 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 (Nov 25, 2025)

DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0658 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 25, 2025)

DEnsure 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 (Nov 25, 2025)

May 30, 2025 · 2 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection

GEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Actual harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0658 · Complaint inspection · Past Non-Compliance (Apr 5, 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 · Complaint inspection · Past Non-Compliance (May 12, 2025)

March 13, 2025 · 4 citations · includes complaint inspection

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 · Complaint inspection · Past Non-Compliance (Feb 14, 2025)

DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0609 · Complaint inspection · Past Non-Compliance (Feb 14, 2025)

DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0657 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 24, 2025)

DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0658 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 24, 2025)

October 31, 2024 · 8 citations

EProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0725 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

EHave a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0727 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0623 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0625 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0644 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

DProvide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0744 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 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 (Jan 2, 2025)

August 12, 2024 · 2 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection

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

Actual harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 20, 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 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 20, 2024)

May 14, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection

EHonor 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 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 30, 2024)

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 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 30, 2024)

November 2, 2023 · 2 citations, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection

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

Immediate jeopardy · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 3, 2023)

DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0658 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 3, 2023)

August 21, 2023 · 14 citations, includes actual harm

GProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Actual harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0695 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 14, 2023)

EProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0725 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 14, 2023)

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 (Sep 14, 2023)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0585 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 14, 2023)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0625 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 14, 2023)

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 (Sep 14, 2023)

DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0658 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 14, 2023)

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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 14, 2023)

DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0686 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 14, 2023)

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 (Sep 14, 2023)

DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0690 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 14, 2023)

DProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0698 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 14, 2023)

DEnsure 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 (Sep 14, 2023)

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 (Sep 14, 2023)

Questions to ask on a tour of Bethany Lutheran Home

  1. Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on October 2, 2025 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
  2. CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on May 21, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
  3. 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?
  4. Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
  5. 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 $27,771 in fines.

DateTypeAmount or length
Oct 2, 2025 Fine $16,588
Nov 2, 2023 Fine $11,183

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 1/5 1/5 3/5 2/5
August 2026 1/5 1/5 4/5 3/5
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Location

Hospitals near Bethany Lutheran Home

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

Prairie Gate Council Bluffs · 0.8 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 5/5 72 beds · Medicaid
North Crest Living Center Council Bluffs · 0.8 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 3/5 62 beds · Medicaid
Midlands Living Center Council Bluffs · 1.6 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 5/5 94 beds · Medicaid
Chapters Living of Council Bluffs Council Bluffs · 2.4 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 4/5 102 beds · Medicaid
Glen Haven Village Glenwood · 16.1 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 4/5 69 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Bethany Lutheran Home ›   All nursing homes in Council Bluffs ›

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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/iowa/council-bluffs/bethany-lutheran-home/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.