All states › Iowa › Estherville › Estherville Community Care Center
2001 First Avenue North Estherville, IA 51334 · Emmet County
All 2 nursing homes in Estherville, IA (2 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 165523 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Estherville Community 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 Estherville Community Care Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 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 3.36 hours per resident per day at Estherville Community Care Center, below the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 0.92 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 2.91 hours, 13% below its all-week average. 40% of nursing staff left within a year (Iowa median 41.7%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Estherville Community Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Estherville Community 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 September 25, 2025 and found 4 deficiencies, plus 4 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 Estherville Community Care Center across 7 inspection dates, 6 of them from complaint investigations. 2 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on June 10, 2026. The most common areas cited were resident assessment and care planning (6) and resident rights (5). 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, June 10, 2026). 3 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
June 10, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
March 19, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
September 25, 2025 · 5 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DCoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
DProvide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
December 12, 2024 · 4 citations
FElectronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.
EAssess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
DProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
October 17, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DHonor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs.
September 6, 2024 · 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.
October 5, 2023 · 8 citations
EDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
EEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
EHave the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly
EGive their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
DGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DCoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Questions to ask on a tour of Estherville Community Care Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on June 10, 2026 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on September 25, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Ownership changed in the last 12 months. What has changed for residents and staff 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 $18,900 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 10, 2026 | Fine | $18,900 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Estherville Community 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.
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1.0 mi
Avera Holy Family Health EsthervilleEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 1h 50m for patients treated and sent home
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15.5 mi
Lakes Regional Healthcare Spirit LakeEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 2h 5m for patients treated and sent home
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18.0 mi
Sanford Jackson Medical Center JacksonEmergency roomMedian ER visit 2h 4m 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
More nursing homes near Estherville Community Care Center › All nursing homes in Estherville ›
Compare Estherville Community Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Good Samaritan - Estherville · Estherville · 3 stars · 0.4 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.