All states › Iowa › Council Bluffs › North Crest Living Center
34 Northcrest Drive Council Bluffs, IA 51503 · Pottawattamie County
All 5 nursing homes in Council Bluffs, IA (5 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 165290 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is North Crest Living 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 North Crest Living Center 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 4.12 hours per resident per day at North Crest Living Center, above the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 0.48 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.33 hours, 19% below its all-week average. Ask how weekends are staffed. 50% of nursing staff left within a year (Iowa median 41.7%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at North Crest Living Center: Medicare and Medicaid
North Crest Living 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 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 July 24, 2025 and found 14 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 34 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 34 citations at North Crest Living Center across 6 inspection dates, 11 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 34 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 0 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were resident rights (9) and infection control (8). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities" (tag F0865, level F, July 24, 2025). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
August 26, 2025 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
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 and implement an infection prevention and control program.
July 24, 2025 · 14 citations
FHave a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
FProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
EImplement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
DGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
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.
DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
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.
September 19, 2024 · 10 citations · includes complaint inspection
FProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
FProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DHonor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
DGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
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.
DEncode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
August 2, 2024 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
March 28, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
June 8, 2023 · 2 citations
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DAssess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Questions to ask on a tour of North Crest Living Center
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on July 24, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Weekend staffing is 19% below the all-week average. Who is on duty on Saturday nights?
- 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 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| August 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near North Crest Living 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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0.4 mi
Jennie Edmundson Hospital Council BluffsEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 30m for patients treated and sent home
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0.5 mi
Alegent Health Mercy Hospital Council BluffsEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 2h 51m for patients treated and sent home
- 6.6 mi
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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Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Midlands Living Center · Council Bluffs · 5 stars · 0.8 mi
- Prairie Gate · Council Bluffs · 3 stars · 1.6 mi
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.