facebook tracking Life Care Center of Athens, Athens TN: CMS Ratings
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Life Care Center of Athens

All states › Tennessee › Athens › Life Care Center of Athens

1234 Frye Street Po Box 786 Athens, TN 37371 · Mc Minn County

(423) 745-8181

All 2 nursing homes in Athens, TN (2 take Medicaid)

Cited for abuse Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 128 certified beds For profit

CMS certification number 445298 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare

CMS abuse icon CMS marks this nursing home with its abuse icon. CMS shows the icon for homes with abuse citations in recent inspections: an abuse citation where residents were harmed (scope and severity G or higher) within the past year, or abuse citations at D or higher (potential for harm) in each of the last two years. Shown as of October 2026. Details on 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 Athens 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 Athens as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Tennessee average of 3.1. Inspectors issued 16 citations in the last three years. CMS imposed 1 penalty, including $12,444 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. CMS currently shows its abuse icon for this home (see above).

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.

Next steps

Compare with the 3 closest homes

Staffing

Nursing staff spend about 3.66 hours per resident per day at Life Care Center of Athens, about the same as the Tennessee median of 3.66 (US median: 3.72). About 0.90 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.40 hours, 7% below its all-week average. 32.6% of nursing staff left within a year (Tennessee median 48.7%). That is lower than most homes in Tennessee, a sign of a steadier team.

Nursing care per resident per day 3.66 hours
About the Tennessee median Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.90 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 3.40 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 32.6% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 26.1% 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 beds128
Residents per day 90 About 71% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipFor profit - Corporation
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceSeptember 1992
Part of a chainLife Care Centers of America
Legal business nameLIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.

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

Life Care Center of Athens 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 Tennessee'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 28, 2026 and found 12 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 16 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 16 citations at Life Care Center of Athens across 2 inspection dates. 1 was at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on March 28, 2026. The most common areas cited were freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation (3) and quality of life and care (3). 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 J, March 28, 2026). 3 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.

March 28, 2026 · 12 citations

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

Immediate jeopardy · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0600 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 21, 2026)

FAdminister 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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 21, 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 21, 2026)

EProtect each resident from separation (from other residents, his/her room, or confinement to his/her room).

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0603 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 21, 2026)

DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0558 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 21, 2026)

DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0610 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 21, 2026)

DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0677 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 21, 2026)

DProvide appropriate foot care.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0687 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 21, 2026)

DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0695 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 21, 2026)

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 (Apr 21, 2026)

DHave a policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0813 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 21, 2026)

DProvide 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 21, 2026)

November 14, 2019 · 4 citations

EHonor 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 15, 2019)

EProvide at least one room set aside to use as a resident dining room and for activities, that is a good size, with good lighting, air flow and furniture.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Environmental Deficiencies · Tag F0920 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 15, 2019)

DAllow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0554 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 15, 2019)

DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0657 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 15, 2019)

Questions to ask on a tour of Life Care Center of Athens

  1. Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on March 28, 2026 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 March 28, 2026. 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 $12,444 in fines.

DateTypeAmount or length
Mar 28, 2026 Fine $12,444

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 2/5 1/5 4/5 5/5
August 2026 2/5 1/5 4/5 5/5
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Location

Hospitals near Life Care Center of Athens

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

  • 0.7 mi
    Athens Regional Medical Center Athens
    Emergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5
    Median ER visit 2h 28m for patients treated and sent home
  • 13.1 mi
    Sweetwater Hospital Association Sweetwater
    Emergency room ★☆☆☆☆ Medicare overall 1 of 5
    Median ER visit 3h 2m for patients treated and sent home
  • 22.6 mi
    Rhea Medical Center Dayton
    Emergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5
    Median ER visit 2h 50m 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

NHC Healthcare, Athens Athens · 0.7 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 5/5 · Staffing 3/5 86 beds · Medicaid
Starr Regional Health & Rehabilitation Etowah · 7.2 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 3/5 88 beds · Medicaid
Etowah Health and Rehabilitation Etowah · 8.8 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 1/5 120 beds · Medicaid
Waters of Sweetwater a Rehabilitation & Nursing Sweetwater · 11.3 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 1/5 90 beds · Medicaid
Decatur Wellness and Rehabilitation Center Decatur · 12.3 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 2/5 88 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Life Care Center of Athens ›   All nursing homes in Athens ›

Compare Life Care Center of Athens with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles

Other Life Care Centers of America nursing homes in Tennessee

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/tennessee/athens/life-care-center-of-athens/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.