All states › Washington › Bellingham › Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia
2400 Samish Way Bellingham, WA 98229 · Whatcom County
All 6 nursing homes in Bellingham, WA (6 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 505140 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia 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 Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below 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 3.72 hours per resident per day at Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia, below the Washington median of 4.15 (US median: 3.72). About 1.49 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.00 hours, 20% below its all-week average. Ask how weekends are staffed. 63% of nursing staff left within a year (Washington median 43%). High turnover can mean residents see unfamiliar caregivers; ask how long the nurses on the unit have worked there.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia: Medicare and Medicaid
Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia 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 August 7, 2025 and found 7 deficiencies, plus 7 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 38 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 38 citations at Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia across 14 inspection dates, 19 of them from complaint investigations. 4 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on February 13, 2026. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (12) and nursing and physician services (5). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed" (tag F0694, level G, February 13, 2026). 2 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
August 12, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
February 13, 2026 · 4 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
EProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DPost nurse staffing information every day.
December 17, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
August 7, 2025 · 8 citations · includes complaint inspection
EHonor 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.
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.
EEnsure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.
DHonor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
February 20, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
August 7, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
July 30, 2024 · 10 citations
EEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
EEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DEnsure residents have reasonable access to and privacy in their use of communication methods.
DAssess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DImplement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
DEnsure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.
July 1, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
April 29, 2024 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DMake sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
March 12, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
January 9, 2024 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
November 22, 2023 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
October 19, 2023 · 3 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
July 28, 2023 · 2 citations
EProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Questions to ask on a tour of Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on February 13, 2026 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 August 12, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Weekend staffing is 20% below the all-week average. Who is on duty on Saturday nights?
- Nursing staff turnover was 63% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
- 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
3 penalties in the last three years, including $63,884 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 13, 2026 | Fine | $10,545 |
| Jan 9, 2024 | Fine | $12,048 |
| Oct 19, 2023 | Fine | $41,291 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia
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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4.4 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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16.0 mi
Island Hospital AnacortesEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 3h 24m for patients treated and sent home
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17.0 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 Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia › All nursing homes in Bellingham ›
Compare Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Mt Baker Care Center · Bellingham · 5 stars · 0.9 mi
- Avalon Healthcare Bellingham · Bellingham · 5 stars · 4.3 mi
- Alderwood Park Health and Rehab of Cascadia · Bellingham · 5 stars · 5.2 mi
Other Cascadia Healthcare nursing homes in Washington
- Alderwood Park Health and Rehab of Cascadia · Bellingham · 5 stars
- Hudson Bay Health and Rehabilitation · Vancouver · 5 stars
- Stafholt Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia · Blaine · 4 stars
- Brookfield Health and Rehab of Cascadia · Battle Ground · 3 stars
- Spokane Valley Health and Rehabilitation of Cascad · Spokane Valley · 3 stars
- Clarkston Health and Rehab of Cascadia · Clarkston · 3 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 47 Cascadia Healthcare 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.