facebook tracking Northgate Care Center, Waukon IA: CMS Ratings & Inspections
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Northgate Care Center

All states › Iowa › Waukon › Northgate Care Center

960 4th Street NW Waukon, IA 52172 · Allamakee County

(563) 568-3493

All 2 nursing homes in Waukon, IA (2 take Medicaid)

SFF candidate Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 50 certified beds For profit

CMS certification number 165338 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare

Special Focus Facility candidate CMS lists this nursing home as a candidate for its Special Focus Facility program, which means it qualifies to be selected for the program based on its inspection record. Shown as of October 2026. About the program (CMS).

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 Northgate 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 Northgate Care Center as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 1 out of 5 stars overall, below the Iowa average of 3.1. Inspectors issued 20 citations in the last three years. CMS imposed 1 penalty, including $56,655 in fines, in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 2 out of 5; for long-term residents, 4 out of 5. Those results differ a lot, so ask about the unit your family member would be on. CMS lists it as a Special Focus Facility candidate.

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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Staffing

Nursing staff spend about 3.43 hours per resident per day at Northgate Care Center, 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 2.86 hours, 16% below its all-week average. Ask how weekends are staffed. 55.3% 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 3.43 hours
Below the Iowa median of 3.76 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.59 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 2.86 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 55.3% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 40% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left 0 in the past year Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds50
Residents per day 37 About 74% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipFor profit - Corporation
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceAugust 1997
Part of a chainLegacy Healthcare
Legal business nameWAUKON IA SKILLED NURSING FACILITY LLC

Paying for care at Northgate Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid

Northgate 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 March 4, 2026 and found 8 deficiencies, plus 10 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 20 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 20 citations at Northgate Care Center across 4 inspection dates, 11 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on March 4, 2026 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were pharmacy service (4) and quality of life and care (4). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors" (tag F0760, level L, March 4, 2026). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.

March 4, 2026 · 10 citations · includes complaint inspection

LEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Immediate jeopardy · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0760 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 25, 2026)

FEnsure 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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0761 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 2, 2026)

FHave a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0865 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 2, 2026)

EProvide 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 (Apr 2, 2026)

DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0552 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 2, 2026)

DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0605 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 2, 2026)

DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0641 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 2, 2026)

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 (Apr 2, 2026)

DProvide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0688 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 2, 2026)

DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 2, 2026)

November 14, 2025 · 8 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection

GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Actual harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 24, 2025)

EProvide 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 (Dec 8, 2025)

DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0550 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 8, 2025)

DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0580 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 8, 2025)

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 (Dec 8, 2025)

DProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0725 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 8, 2025)

DEnsure 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 (Dec 8, 2025)

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 (Dec 8, 2025)

September 22, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

DEnsure 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 (Oct 10, 2024)

April 25, 2024 · 1 citation

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 (May 25, 2024)

Questions to ask on a tour of Northgate Care Center

  1. Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on March 4, 2026 under the rule on pharmacy service. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
  2. CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on March 4, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
  3. Weekend staffing is 16% below the all-week average. Who is on duty on Saturday nights?
  4. Nursing staff turnover was 55.3% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
  5. 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?
  6. Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
  7. 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 $56,655 in fines.

DateTypeAmount or length
Mar 4, 2026 Fine $56,655

Rating history

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

Hospitals near Northgate 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.

  • 0.9 mi
    Veterans Memorial Hospital Waukon
    Emergency room
    Median ER visit 1h 37m for patients treated and sent home
  • 14.8 mi
    Winnmed Decorah
    Emergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5
    Median ER visit 1h 54m for patients treated and sent home
  • 23.8 mi
    Crossing Rivers Health Medical Center Prairie du Chien
    Emergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5
    Median ER visit 2h 42m 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

Good Samaritan - Waukon Waukon · 0.8 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 4/5 60 beds · Medicaid
Wellington Place Decorah · 13.3 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 5/5 · Staffing 4/5 56 beds · Medicaid
Thornton Manor Nursing and Care Center Lansing · 13.6 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 5/5 40 beds · Medicaid
The Highlands Decorah · 15.8 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 4/5 86 beds · Medicaid
Ossian Care Center Ossian · 17.1 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 5/5 46 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Northgate Care Center ›   All nursing homes in Waukon ›

Compare Northgate 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/waukon/northgate-care-center/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.