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204 Industrial Park Rd Po Box 659 Rocky Top, TN 37769 · Anderson County
CMS certification number 445259 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Rocky Top Care 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 Rocky Top Care Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Tennessee 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 3.25 hours per resident per day at Rocky Top Care Center, below the Tennessee median of 3.66 (US median: 3.72). About 0.52 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 2.97 hours, 9% below its all-week average. 54.4% of nursing staff left within a year (Tennessee median 48.7%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Rocky Top Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Rocky Top Care 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 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 4, 2026 and found 3 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 28 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 28 citations at Rocky Top Care Center across 4 inspection dates, 13 of them from complaint investigations. 4 were at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on August 22, 2024 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were administration (5) and freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation (5). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently" (tag F0835, level L, August 22, 2024). 5 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
March 4, 2026 · 3 citations
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DHave a policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors.
August 22, 2024 · 15 citations, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection
LAdminister the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
LEstablish 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.
LSet up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
LProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
FProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
EProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
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 safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
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.
DDispose of garbage and refuse properly.
CConduct 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.
May 15, 2024 · 5 citations · includes complaint inspection
ETimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
ERespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DElectronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.
June 23, 2021 · 5 citations
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
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.
Questions to ask on a tour of Rocky Top Care Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on August 22, 2024 under the rule on administration. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on August 22, 2024. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- 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 $86,768 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 22, 2024 | Fine | $86,768 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Rocky Top Care 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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12.2 mi
Lafollette Medical Center La FolletteEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 27m for patients treated and sent home
- 14.0 mi
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14.2 mi
Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge Oak RidgeEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 3h 6m 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 Rocky Top Care Center › All nursing homes in Rocky Top ›
Compare Rocky Top Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Cumberland Village Care · Lafollette · 5 stars · 9.5 mi
- Tennova Lafollette Health and Rehab Center · Lafollette · 4 stars · 9.7 mi
- Andersonville TN Opco · Andersonville · 3 stars · 5.7 mi
- The Waters of Clinton · Clinton · 3 stars · 6.7 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.