All states › Michigan › Whitehall › Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall
916 East Lewis Street Whitehall, MI 49461 · Muskegon County
CMS certification number 235206 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall 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 Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 1 out of 5 stars overall, below the Michigan average of 3.2.
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 Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall, below the Michigan median of 3.86 (US median: 3.72). About 0.73 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.25 hours, 11% below its all-week average. 57.3% of nursing staff left within a year (Michigan median 43.8%). High turnover can mean residents see unfamiliar caregivers; ask how long the nurses on the unit have worked there. 2 administrators left in the past year.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall: Medicare and Medicaid
Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall 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 Michigan'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 5, 2026 and found 15 deficiencies, plus 1 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 55 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 55 citations at Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall across 9 inspection dates, 16 of them from complaint investigations. 3 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on March 5, 2026. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (18) and freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation (7). 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 G, March 5, 2026). 7 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
March 5, 2026 · 15 citations
GProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
GProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
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.
FHave a Compliance and Ethics Program.
ESafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
EMake sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
December 26, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
September 10, 2025 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
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 that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
August 19, 2025 · 1 citation · 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.
June 17, 2025 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
EEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
March 19, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
December 10, 2024 · 13 citations · includes complaint inspection
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
FProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
EReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
EProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
ETimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
EEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
EProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProtect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
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.
DImplement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
September 18, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
February 29, 2024 · 16 citations · includes complaint inspection
FImplement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
EEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
EProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
EEnsure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
EHave 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 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.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
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.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DEnsure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
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.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
BGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Questions to ask on a tour of Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on March 5, 2026 under the rule on freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on March 5, 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?
- Nursing staff turnover was 57.3% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
- Several administrators left in the past year. What has changed for residents since then?
- 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.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 5, 2026 | Payment Denial | 63 days of payments denied |
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 | 3/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall
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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13.1 mi
Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital MuskegonEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 40m for patients treated and sent home
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14.4 mi
Mercy Health Lakeshore Campus ShelbyEmergency roomMedian ER visit 1h 43m for patients treated and sent home
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19.7 mi
Corewell Health Gerber Hospital FremontEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 2h 25m 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 Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall › All nursing homes in Whitehall ›
Compare Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Whitehall with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Hillcrest Nursing and Rehabilitation Community · North Muskegon · 5 stars · 9.8 mi
Other Optalis Health & Rehabilitation nursing homes in Michigan
- Optalis Health and Rehabilitation of Allen Park · Allen Park · 4 stars
- Fountain Bleu Health and Rehabilitation Center · Livonia · 4 stars
- Optalis Health and Rehabilitation of Grosse Pointe · Grosse Pointe Woods · 4 stars
- Optalis Health & Rehabilitation of Ionia · Ionia · 4 stars
- Belle Fountain Nursing & Rehabilitation Center · Riverview · 3 stars
- Optalis Health and Rehabilitation of Sterling Heig · Sterling Heights · 3 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 36 Optalis Health & Rehabilitation 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.