All states › Iowa › Fort Dodge › Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation
728 14th Avenue North Fort Dodge, IA 50501 · Webster County
All 3 nursing homes in Fort Dodge, IA (3 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 165156 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation 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 Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation 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 3.14 hours per resident per day at Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation, below the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 0.59 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 2.74 hours, 13% below its all-week average. 54.2% 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.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation: Medicare and Medicaid
Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation 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 February 26, 2026 and found 16 deficiencies, plus 2 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 46 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 46 citations at Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation across 8 inspection dates, 20 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on August 27, 2025 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (12) and resident assessment and care planning (11). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals" (tag F0684, level J, August 27, 2025). 2 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
February 26, 2026 · 17 citations · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DKeep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
DProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
DHelp the resident with transportation to and from laboratory services outside of the facility.
DHave a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
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.
November 17, 2025 · 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.
August 27, 2025 · 5 citations, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection
JProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
EHonor 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.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DAssess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
May 22, 2025 · 2 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
March 27, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DObtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care.
January 15, 2025 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
DProvide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
July 18, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
March 7, 2024 · 14 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
FMake sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
ESafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
EGive their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
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.
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.
DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
DProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Questions to ask on a tour of Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation
- Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on August 27, 2025 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 July 18, 2024. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- CMS rates staffing 2 out of 5. How many residents does each nurse aide care for on day, evening and night shifts?
- Nursing staff turnover was 54.2% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
- 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
2 penalties in the last three years, including $166,043 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 2026 | Fine | $30,745 |
| Aug 27, 2025 | Fine | $135,298 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| August 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation
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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1.8 mi
Trinity Regional Medical Center Fort DodgeEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 2h 47m for patients treated and sent home
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14.9 mi
Humboldt County Memorial Hospital HumboldtEmergency roomMedian ER visit 1h 40m for patients treated and sent home
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19.9 mi
Van Diest Medical Center Webster CityEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 1h 43m 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 Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation › All nursing homes in Fort Dodge ›
Compare Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Marian Home · Fort Dodge · 5 stars · 1.5 mi
- Friendship Haven · Fort Dodge · 4 stars · 3.9 mi
Other The Ensign Group nursing homes in Iowa
- West Bend Health and Rehabilitation · West Bend · 5 stars
- Woodland Health and Rehabilitation · Mount Pleasant · 4 stars
- Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines · Des Moines · 3 stars
- Crystal Heights Care Center · Oskaloosa · 3 stars
- Careage Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare · Cherokee · 2 stars
- Hillcrest Health Care Center · Hawarden · 1 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 347 The Ensign Group 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.