All states › Massachusetts › Fitchburg › Fitchburg Healthcare
1199 John Fitch Hwy Fitchburg, MA 01420 · Worcester County
All 3 nursing homes in Fitchburg, MA (3 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 225216 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Fitchburg Healthcare 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 Fitchburg Healthcare as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 1 out of 5 stars overall, below the Massachusetts 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 3.47 hours per resident per day at Fitchburg Healthcare, below the Massachusetts median of 3.72 (US median: 3.72). About 0.40 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.02 hours, 13% below its all-week average. 39.7% of nursing staff left within a year (Massachusetts median 36.1%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Fitchburg Healthcare: Medicare and Medicaid
Fitchburg Healthcare 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 February 11, 2026 and found 12 deficiencies, plus 1 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 39 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 39 citations at Fitchburg Healthcare across 5 inspection dates, 2 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on February 11, 2026. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (19) and resident rights (6). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services" (tag F0697, level G, February 11, 2026). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
February 11, 2026 · 12 citations
GProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the 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 that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
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 or obtain dental services for each resident.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
December 30, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
September 17, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DHonor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
October 1, 2024 · 13 citations
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.
DPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
DProvide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
DProvide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
BEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
July 11, 2023 · 12 citations
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide appropriate foot care.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DProvide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
DProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
DProvide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
DHave 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.
DHave an agreement with an approved laboratory to obtain services, if on-site laboratory services aren't provided.
DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Questions to ask on a tour of Fitchburg Healthcare
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on February 11, 2026 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 February 11, 2026. 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?
- 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
1 penalty in the last three years, including $21,567 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 11, 2026 | Fine | $21,567 |
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 Fitchburg Healthcare
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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4.3 mi
Healthalliance Hospitals, INC LeominsterEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 4h 13m for patients treated and sent home
-
10.0 mi
Heywood Hospital GardnerEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 3h 12m for patients treated and sent home
- 10.2 mi
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 Fitchburg Healthcare › All nursing homes in Fitchburg ›
Compare Fitchburg Healthcare with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- River Terrace Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center · Lancaster · 5 stars · 8.5 mi
- Life Care Center of Leominster · Leominster · 4 stars · 4.4 mi
- Wachusett Manor · Gardner · 4 stars · 9.5 mi
- The Highlands · Fitchburg · 3 stars · 0.8 mi
Other Next Step Healthcare nursing homes in Massachusetts
- Elmhurst Healthcare (The) · Melrose · 5 stars
- Westborough Healthcare · Westborough · 3 stars
- Hermitage Healthcare (The) · Worcester · 2 stars
- Garden Place Healthcare · Attleboro · 2 stars
- Dexter House Healthcare · Malden · 2 stars
- Oakhill Healthcare · Middleboro · 2 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 14 Next Step 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.