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Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley

All states › Massachusetts › Billerica › Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley

80 Boston Road Billerica, MA 01862 · Middlesex County

(978) 667-2166

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 124 certified beds For profit

CMS certification number 225546 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare

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 Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley 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 Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall, about the same as the Massachusetts average of 3.1. Inspectors issued 27 citations in the last three years. CMS imposed 1 penalty, including $161,920 in fines, in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 5 out of 5; for long-term residents, 5 out of 5.

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 4.18 hours per resident per day at Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley, above the Massachusetts median of 3.72 (US median: 3.72). About 0.68 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.71 hours, 11% below its all-week average. 31.7% of nursing staff left within a year (Massachusetts median 36.1%).

Nursing care per resident per day 4.18 hours
Above the Massachusetts median of 3.72 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.68 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 3.71 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 31.7% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 42.1% 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 beds124
Residents per day 104 About 84% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipFor profit - Limited Liability company
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceMarch 1992
Part of a chainLife Care Centers of America
Legal business nameMERRIMACK VALLEY OPERATIONS, LLC

Paying for care at Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley: Medicare and Medicaid

Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley 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 Massachusetts'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 December 10, 2025 and found 4 deficiencies, plus 1 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 27 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 27 citations at Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley across 5 inspection dates, 11 of them from complaint investigations. 4 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on December 4, 2024. The most common areas cited were administration (5) and pharmacy service (5). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody" (tag F0600, level H, December 4, 2024). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.

April 23, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

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 (May 18, 2026)

December 10, 2025 · 4 citations

EProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0698 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 26, 2025)

EEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0760 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 26, 2025)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0761 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 26, 2025)

DEnsure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0808 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 26, 2025)

August 14, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0552 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Sep 5, 2025)

December 4, 2024 · 17 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection

HProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

Actual harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0600 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

HProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

Actual harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0686 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

HDesignate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility.

Actual harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0841 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

GCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

Actual harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0655 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0726 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

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 (Jan 2, 2025)

EAdminister the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0835 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

EEstablish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0837 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

EConduct 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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0838 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0865 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

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 (Jan 2, 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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

DProvide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0694 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

DProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0698 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0761 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

DEmploy or obtain outside professional resources to provide services in the nursing home when the facility does not employ a qualified professional to furnish a required service.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0840 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 2, 2025)

November 22, 2023 · 4 citations

EEnsure 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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2023)

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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2023)

DEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0756 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2023)

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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2023)

Questions to ask on a tour of Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley

  1. Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on December 4, 2024 under the rule on freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
  2. CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on December 4, 2024. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
  3. Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
  4. 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 $161,920 in fines.

DateTypeAmount or length
Dec 4, 2024 Fine $161,920

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 3/5 2/5 4/5 5/5
August 2026 2/5 2/5 3/5 4/5
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Location

Hospitals near Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley

The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.

Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.

Nearby nursing homes

New England Pediatric Care North Billerica · 0.0 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 5/5 · Staffing 1/5 80 beds · Medicaid
Sunny Acres Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Chelmsford · 1.5 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 3/5 93 beds · Medicaid
Vantage at Lowell Lowell · 2.8 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 3/5 115 beds · Medicaid
Blaire House of Tewksbury Tewksbury · 3.1 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 1/5 131 beds · Medicaid
Regalcare at Lowell Lowell · 3.5 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 3/5 90 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley ›   All nursing homes in Billerica ›

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Other Life Care Centers of America nursing homes in Massachusetts

Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 194 Life Care Centers of America 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/massachusetts/billerica/life-care-center-of-merrimack-valley/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.