All states › Pennsylvania › Columbia › Susquehanna Health and Wellness Center
745 Old Chickies Hill Road Columbia, PA 17512 · Lancaster County
All 2 nursing homes in Columbia, PA (2 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 395400 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Susquehanna Health and Wellness 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 Susquehanna Health and Wellness Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall, about the same as the Pennsylvania average of 3.0.
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 3.19 hours per resident per day at Susquehanna Health and Wellness Center, below the Pennsylvania median of 3.64 (US median: 3.72). About 0.39 of those hours are from registered nurses. Weekend staffing is close to its all-week average. 52% of nursing staff left within a year (Pennsylvania median 44.6%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Susquehanna Health and Wellness Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Susquehanna Health and Wellness 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 Pennsylvania'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 June 17, 2026 and found 9 deficiencies, plus 1 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 36 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 36 citations at Susquehanna Health and Wellness Center across 5 inspection dates, 3 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on March 31, 2026. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (10) and resident assessment and care planning (7). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors" (tag F0760, level G, March 31, 2026).
June 17, 2026 · 9 citations
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DAssess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
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.
DEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
March 31, 2026 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
July 25, 2025 · 7 citations
EObserve each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
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.
March 5, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
August 22, 2024 · 18 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
EEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
EEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
ESafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DHonor the resident's right to share a room with spouse or roommate of choice and receive written notice before a change is made.
DAssess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
DAssure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
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 and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Questions to ask on a tour of Susquehanna Health and Wellness Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on March 31, 2026 under the rule on pharmacy service. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- 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
9 penalties in the last three years, including $105,688 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 29, 2024 | Fine | $48,731 |
| Feb 20, 2024 | Fine | $4,893 |
| Jan 30, 2024 | Fine | $14,679 |
| Jan 8, 2024 | Fine | $4,893 |
| Jan 2, 2024 | Fine | $4,545 |
| Dec 11, 2023 | Fine | $4,892 |
| Nov 20, 2023 | Fine | $4,634 |
| Nov 13, 2023 | Fine | $4,643 |
| Oct 23, 2023 | Fine | $13,778 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Susquehanna Health and Wellness Center
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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7.0 mi
Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center LancasterEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 51m for patients treated and sent home
- 10.3 mi
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10.7 mi
Lancaster General Hospital LancasterEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 3h 29m 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 Susquehanna Health and Wellness Center › All nursing homes in Columbia ›
Compare Susquehanna Health and Wellness Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- St Anne's Retirement Community · Columbia · 5 stars · 3.2 mi
- Homestead Village · Lancaster · 5 stars · 8.3 mi
- Masonic Village at Elizabethtown · Elizabethtown · 5 stars · 8.7 mi
- Trillium Place · Lancaster · 5 stars · 8.7 mi
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.