All states › Iowa › Waterloo › Northcrest Specialty Care
2001health Street Waterloo, IA 50703 · Black Hawk County
All 6 nursing homes in Waterloo, IA (6 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 165165 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Northcrest Specialty Care 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 Northcrest Specialty Care 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 3.46 hours per resident per day at Northcrest Specialty Care, below the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 0.62 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.21 hours, 7% below its all-week average. 42.5% of nursing staff left within a year (Iowa median 41.7%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Northcrest Specialty Care: Medicare and Medicaid
Northcrest Specialty Care 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 12, 2026 and found 6 deficiencies, plus 5 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 33 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 33 citations at Northcrest Specialty Care across 7 inspection dates, 14 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on October 1, 2024. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (8) and resident rights (8). 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 G, October 1, 2024).
August 17, 2026 · 4 citations · includes complaint inspection
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DAllow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
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.
February 12, 2026 · 7 citations · includes complaint inspection
EMake sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
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.
DAssess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
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.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DHave policies on smoking.
June 4, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
January 30, 2025 · 7 citations
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
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.
October 1, 2024 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
April 11, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
January 30, 2024 · 12 citations · includes complaint inspection
EHonor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
EHonor 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.
EProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
EEmploy sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
EMake sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
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.
DAssess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
BEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Questions to ask on a tour of Northcrest Specialty Care
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on October 1, 2024 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- 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 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Northcrest Specialty Care
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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1.3 mi
Allen Memorial Hospital WaterlooEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 43m for patients treated and sent home
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4.0 mi
Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center WaterlooEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 3h 43m for patients treated and sent home
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7.1 mi
Sartori Memorial Hospital Cedar FallsEmergency roomMedian ER visit 1h 36m 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 Northcrest Specialty Care › All nursing homes in Waterloo ›
Compare Northcrest Specialty Care with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- The Suites at Western Home Communities · Cedar Falls · 5 stars · 6.2 mi
- Martin Health Center · Cedar Falls · 5 stars · 6.3 mi
- Friendship Village Retirement · Waterloo · 3 stars · 3.9 mi
Other Care Initiatives nursing homes in Iowa
- Sibley Specialty Care · Sibley · 5 stars
- Lamoni Specialty Care · Lamoni · 5 stars
- Fonda Specialty Care · Fonda · 5 stars
- Wapello Specialty Care · Wapello · 5 stars
- Mechanicsville Specialty Care · Mechanicsville · 5 stars
- Laporte City Specialty Care · La Porte City · 5 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 43 Care Initiatives 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.