All states › Iowa › Indianola › Good Samaritan - Indianola
708 South Jefferson Indianola, IA 50125 · Warren County
All 3 nursing homes in Indianola, IA (3 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 165186 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Good Samaritan - Indianola 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 Good Samaritan - Indianola 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 3.63 hours per resident per day at Good Samaritan - Indianola, below the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 0.53 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.18 hours, 12% below its all-week average. 58.8% 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 Good Samaritan - Indianola: Medicare and Medicaid
Good Samaritan - Indianola 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 May 14, 2026 and found 9 deficiencies, plus 3 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 42 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 42 citations at Good Samaritan - Indianola across 7 inspection dates, 25 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on January 10, 2024 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were resident rights (9) and quality of life and care (7). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing" (tag F0686, level J, January 10, 2024). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
May 14, 2026 · 10 citations · includes complaint inspection
FConduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
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.
DEnsure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
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.
DCoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
January 14, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
EHave a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
July 29, 2025 · 4 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
April 24, 2025 · 7 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
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.
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.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
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.
January 30, 2025 · 4 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.
FHave 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.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
June 18, 2024 · 12 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
GEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
EProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
EProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
ESafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
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.
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 and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
January 10, 2024 · 3 citations, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection
JProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DProvide 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.
Questions to ask on a tour of Good Samaritan - Indianola
- Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on January 10, 2024 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 April 24, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Nursing staff turnover was 58.8% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
- 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
2 penalties in the last three years, including $20,316 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 2025 | Fine | $12,438 |
| Jan 10, 2024 | Fine | $7,878 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| August 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Good Samaritan - Indianola
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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16.7 mi
Iowa Methodist Medical Center Des MoinesEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 2m for patients treated and sent home
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17.2 mi
Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines Des MoinesEmergency room ★☆☆☆☆ Medicare overall 1 of 5Median ER visit 4h 4m for patients treated and sent home
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18.6 mi
Broadlawns Medical Center Des MoinesEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 24m 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 Good Samaritan - Indianola › All nursing homes in Indianola ›
Compare Good Samaritan - Indianola with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- The Village · Indianola · 5 stars · 1.3 mi
- Westview of Indianola Care Center · Indianola · 5 stars · 1.4 mi
Other Good Samaritan Society nursing homes in Iowa
- Good Samaritan - Saint Ansgar · Saint Ansgar · 5 stars
- Good Samaritan - Forest City · Forest City · 4 stars
- Good Samaritan - Manson · Manson · 4 stars
- Good Samaritan - Villisca · Villisca · 4 stars
- Good Samaritan - Lemars · Le Mars · 4 stars
- Good Samaritan - Davenport · Davenport · 3 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 92 Good Samaritan Society 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.