All states › Washington › Bellingham › Avalon Healthcare Bellingham
3121 Squalicum Parkway Bellingham, WA 98225 · Whatcom County
All 6 nursing homes in Bellingham, WA (6 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 505296 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Avalon Healthcare Bellingham 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 Avalon Healthcare Bellingham as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall, above the Washington average of 3.3.
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 4.19 hours per resident per day at Avalon Healthcare Bellingham, about the same as the Washington median of 4.15 (US median: 3.72). About 0.94 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.64 hours, 13% below its all-week average. 48.9% of nursing staff left within a year (Washington median 43%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Avalon Healthcare Bellingham: Medicare and Medicaid
Avalon Healthcare Bellingham 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 Washington'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 5, 2025 and found 10 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 29 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 29 citations at Avalon Healthcare Bellingham across 7 inspection dates, 7 of them from complaint investigations. 2 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on April 24, 2025. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (13) and resident rights (5). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing" (tag F0686, level G, April 24, 2025). 2 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
December 5, 2025 · 10 citations
EProvide 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.
DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
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.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
DEducate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
April 24, 2025 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
January 13, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
December 6, 2024 · 6 citations
EEnsure the activities program is directed by a qualified professional.
EProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DGive the resident's representative the ability to exercise the resident's rights.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
September 3, 2024 · 3 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DKeep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
March 25, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
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.
January 11, 2024 · 7 citations · includes complaint inspection
EDesignate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.
DLet each resident or the resident's legal representative access or purchase copies of all the resident's records.
DAssess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
DProvide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
Questions to ask on a tour of Avalon Healthcare Bellingham
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on April 24, 2025 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on December 5, 2025. 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 $32,298 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 2025 | Fine | $32,298 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Avalon Healthcare Bellingham
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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0.2 mi
Peacehealth St Joseph Medical Center BellinghamEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 3h 30m for patients treated and sent home
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19.8 mi
Island Hospital AnacortesEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 3h 24m for patients treated and sent home
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21.0 mi
United General Hospital Sedro-WoolleyEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 22m 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 Avalon Healthcare Bellingham › All nursing homes in Bellingham ›
Compare Avalon Healthcare Bellingham with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Other Avalon Health Care nursing homes in Washington
- Benson Heights Rehabilitation Center · Kent · 4 stars
- Avalon Care Center Federal Way · Federal Way · 4 stars
- Grays Harbor Health & Rehabilitation Center · Aberdeen · 4 stars
- Avalon Care Center at Northpointe · Spokane · 3 stars
- Avalon Healthcare - Tacoma · Tacoma · 2 stars
- Garden Village · Yakima · 2 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 16 Avalon Health Care 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.