facebook tracking Emmetsburg Care Center, Emmetsburg IA: CMS Ratings
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Emmetsburg Care Center

All states › Iowa › Emmetsburg › Emmetsburg Care Center

2405 21st Street Emmetsburg, IA 50536 · Palo Alto County

(712) 852-4266

All 3 nursing homes in Emmetsburg, IA (3 take Medicaid)

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 46 certified beds For profit

CMS certification number 165352 · 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 Emmetsburg Care 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 Emmetsburg Care Center as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 1 out of 5 stars overall, below the Iowa average of 3.1. Inspectors issued 22 citations in the last three years. CMS imposed 1 penalty, including $25,695 in fines, in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 4 out of 5; for long-term residents, 4 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.

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Compare with the 3 closest homes

Staffing

Nursing staff spend about 3.64 hours per resident per day at Emmetsburg Care Center, below the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 0.72 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.10 hours, 15% below its all-week average. 55.6% of nursing staff left within a year (Iowa median 41.7%). High turnover can mean residents see unfamiliar caregivers; ask how long the nurses on the unit have worked there.

Nursing care per resident per day 3.64 hours
Below the Iowa median of 3.76 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.72 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 3.10 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 55.6% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 66.7% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left 1 in the past year Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds46
Residents per day 39 About 85% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipFor profit - Corporation
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceAugust 1997
Part of a chainLegacy Healthcare
Legal business nameEMMETSBURG IA SKILLED NURSING FACILITY LLC

Paying for care at Emmetsburg Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid

Emmetsburg Care 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 28, 2025 and found 6 deficiencies, plus 10 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 22 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 22 citations at Emmetsburg Care Center across 5 inspection dates, 14 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on July 28, 2025. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (8) and resident assessment and care planning (5). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs" (tag F0805, level J, July 28, 2025). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.

May 11, 2026 · 8 citations · includes complaint inspection

EProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0677 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026)

EProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0755 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026)

EEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0760 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026)

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 (May 29, 2026)

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 (May 29, 2026)

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 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026)

DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0842 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026)

DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026)

January 8, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection

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 (Jan 20, 2026)

DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0677 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 20, 2026)

July 28, 2025 · 6 citations, includes immediate jeopardy

JEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.

Immediate jeopardy · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0805 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 15, 2025)

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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 15, 2025)

EEnsure 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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0803 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 15, 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 (Aug 15, 2025)

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 (Aug 15, 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 (Aug 15, 2025)

February 20, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

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 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 20, 2025)

September 12, 2024 · 5 citations · includes complaint inspection

DEnsure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0604 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 4, 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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 4, 2024)

DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0677 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 4, 2024)

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 (Oct 4, 2024)

DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0805 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 4, 2024)

Questions to ask on a tour of Emmetsburg Care Center

  1. Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on July 28, 2025 under the rule on nutrition and dietary. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
  2. CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on September 12, 2024. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
  3. Nursing staff turnover was 55.6% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
  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

1 penalty in the last three years, including $25,695 in fines.

DateTypeAmount or length
Jul 28, 2025 Fine $25,695

Rating history

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

Hospitals near Emmetsburg Care Center

The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.

  • 1.4 mi
    Palo Alto County Hospital Emmetsburg
    Emergency room
    Median ER visit 1h 43m for patients treated and sent home
  • 22.6 mi
    Avera Holy Family Health Estherville
    Emergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5
    Median ER visit 1h 50m for patients treated and sent home
  • 23.2 mi
    Kossuth Regional Health Center Algona
    Emergency room ★☆☆☆☆ Medicare overall 1 of 5
    Median ER visit 1h 39m 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

Lakeside Lutheran Home Emmetsburg · 1.1 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 5/5 55 beds · Medicaid
Palo Alto County Hospital Emmetsburg · 1.3 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 4/5 22 beds · Medicaid
Ruthven Community Care Center Ruthven · 11.2 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 3/5 46 beds · Medicaid
West Bend Health and Rehabilitation West Bend · 15.5 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 3/5 45 beds · Medicaid
Laurens Care Center Laurens · 19.7 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 5/5 38 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Emmetsburg Care Center ›   All nursing homes in Emmetsburg ›

Compare Emmetsburg Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

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Other Legacy Healthcare nursing homes in Iowa

Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 96 Legacy Healthcare 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.

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https://www.nursinghomesineachstate.com/iowa/emmetsburg/emmetsburg-care-center/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.