All states › Texas › Merkel › Merkel Nursing Center
1704 N. 1st Merkel, TX 79536 · Taylor County
CMS certification number 676053 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Merkel Nursing 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 Merkel Nursing Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 1 out of 5 stars overall, below the Texas average of 2.8.
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
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Merkel Nursing Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Merkel Nursing 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 Texas'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 December 4, 2025 and found 13 deficiencies, plus 8 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 64 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 64 citations at Merkel Nursing Center across 8 inspection dates, 43 of them from complaint investigations. 5 were at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on February 16, 2026 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were administration (14) and nursing and physician services (8). 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 K, February 16, 2026). 6 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
February 16, 2026 · 8 citations · includes complaint inspection
KProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
KEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
KProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
KEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
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.
FEnsure that nurse aides who have worked more than 4 months, are trained and competent; and nurse aides who have worked less than 4 months are enrolled in appropriate training.
FImplement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
FDesignate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.
December 4, 2025 · 13 citations
FSet up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
EProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
EArrange for the provision of hospice services or assist the resident in transferring to a facility that will arrange for the provision of hospice services.
ERegularly inspect all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails (if any) for safety; and all bed rails and mattresses must attach safely to the bed frame.
EDevelop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.
EDevelop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members.
EEnsure that staff members are educated on resident rights and facility responsibilities to properly care for its residents.
EGive their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
EConduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
EInclude as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.
EProvide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
August 22, 2025 · 8 citations, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection
KEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
FEmploy sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
FAdminister the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
FConduct 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.
EDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
ETimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
ERespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
CFollow rules about disclosure of ownership requirements and tell the state agency about changes in ownership and/or administrative personnel.
December 12, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
October 17, 2024 · 6 citations · includes complaint inspection
EImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
ESafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
EHave policies on smoking.
DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
July 31, 2024 · 19 citations · includes complaint inspection
FHave the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly
EHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
EProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
EEnsure that nurse aides who have worked more than 4 months, are trained and competent; and nurse aides who have worked less than 4 months are enrolled in appropriate training.
EEnsure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
ERegularly inspect all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails (if any) for safety; and all bed rails and mattresses must attach safely to the bed frame.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
CEnsure residents have reasonable access to and privacy in their use of communication methods.
CEnsure the activities program is directed by a qualified professional.
BPost nurse staffing information every day.
BDevelop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members.
BConduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
BProvide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.
December 15, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EKeep all essential equipment working safely.
June 8, 2023 · 8 citations
EReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
EHonor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs.
EEnsure the resident's doctor reviews the resident's care, writes, signs and dates progress notes and orders, at each required visit.
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.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EHave the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Questions to ask on a tour of Merkel Nursing Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on February 16, 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 February 16, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- CMS rates staffing 1 out of 5. How many residents does each nurse aide care for on day, evening and night shifts?
- The home averages about 6% of its beds filled. Are any units closed?
- 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
2 penalties in the last three years, including $320,538 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 16, 2026 | Fine | $139,586 |
| Aug 22, 2025 | Fine | $180,952 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| August 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 1/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Merkel Nursing 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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16.8 mi
Hendrick Medical Center AbileneEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 8m for patients treated and sent home
- 17.1 mi
- 21.7 mi
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
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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.