facebook tracking Heron's Key, Gig Harbor WA: CMS Ratings & Inspections
Skip to content

Heron's Key

All states › Washington › Gig Harbor › Heron's Key

4340 Borgen Blvd NW Gig Harbor, WA 98332 · Pierce County

(253) 313-0800

All 3 nursing homes in Gig Harbor, WA (2 take Medicaid)

Accepts Medicare 30 certified beds Non profit Continuing care retirement community

CMS certification number 505531 · See this home on Medicare 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 Heron's Key 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 Heron's Key as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall, above the Washington average of 3.3. Inspectors issued 18 citations in the last three years. CMS reports no fines or payment denials in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 5 out of 5; for long-term residents, 5 out of 5.

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 5.73 hours per resident per day at Heron's Key, above the Washington median of 4.15 (US median: 3.72). About 1.76 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 4.95 hours, 14% below its all-week average. 37% of nursing staff left within a year (Washington median 43%).

Nursing care per resident per day 5.73 hours
Above the Washington median of 4.15 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 1.76 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 4.95 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 37% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 62.5% 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 beds30
Residents per day 19 About 64% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipNon profit - Corporation
Payment acceptedMedicare
Certified sinceJanuary 2018
Legal business nameHERONS KEY

Paying for care at Heron's Key: Medicare and Medicaid

Heron's Key is certified for Medicare but not Medicaid. It can provide short-term skilled nursing and rehab covered by Medicare Part A, but if long-term care is needed and Medicaid becomes the payer, a move to a Medicaid-certified home would be needed. 2 other homes in Gig Harbor accept Medicaid. Nursing homes that accept Medicaid in Washington.

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 February 13, 2026 and found 3 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 18 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 18 citations at Heron's Key across 3 inspection dates. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 17 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 1 was minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were resident rights (5) and quality of life and care (4). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "give residents a notice of rights, rules, services and charges" (tag F0572, level F, November 15, 2024).

February 13, 2026 · 3 citations

DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0641 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 26, 2026)

DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 26, 2026)

DProvide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0790 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 26, 2026)

November 15, 2024 · 12 citations

FGive residents a notice of rights, rules, services and charges.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0572 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 27, 2024)

FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 27, 2024)

EProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0623 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 27, 2024)

ENotify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0625 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 27, 2024)

DHonor the resident's right to share a room with spouse or roommate of choice and receive written notice before a change is made.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0559 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 27, 2024)

DHonor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0578 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 27, 2024)

DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0656 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 27, 2024)

DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 27, 2024)

DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 27, 2024)

DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0757 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 27, 2024)

DMake sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Environmental Deficiencies · Tag F0921 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 27, 2024)

CPost nurse staffing information every day.

Potential for minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0732 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 27, 2024)

January 8, 2024 · 3 citations

EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0804 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 1, 2024)

DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0757 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 1, 2024)

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 (Feb 1, 2024)

Questions to ask on a tour of Heron's Key

  1. What do families most often ask you about before moving in?
  2. 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

CMS reports no fines or payment denials for this home in the last three years.

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5
August 2026 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5
Add this rating badge to your websiteFree. Shows Heron's Key's Medicare star rating and updates itself.

Size and colour

Preview

Heron's Key Medicare star rating badge

Paste it where the badge should appear: in WordPress, a Custom HTML block or a footer widget; on other sites, any spot that accepts HTML. The badge updates itself when CMS publishes new ratings.

Examples, sizes and help on the badge page ›

Location

Hospitals near Heron's Key

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

  • 1.1 mi
    St Anthony Hospital Gig Harbor
    Emergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5
    Median ER visit 3h 20m for patients treated and sent home
  • 9.6 mi
    Mary Bridge Child Hosp & Hlth Tacoma
    Emergency room
  • 9.6 mi
    Tacoma General Hospital Tacoma
    Emergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5
    Median ER visit 3h 28m 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

Gig Harbor Health and Rehabilitation Gig Harbor · 4.2 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 3/5 120 beds · Medicaid
Cottesmore of Life Care Gig Harbor · 5.4 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 4/5 108 beds · Medicaid
Eliseo Tacoma · 7.5 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 3/5 187 beds · Medicaid
Avamere Transitional Care of Puget Sound Tacoma · 7.9 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 5/5 60 beds · Medicaid
Park Rose Care Center Tacoma · 9.3 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 2/5 139 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Heron's Key ›   All nursing homes in Gig Harbor ›

Compare Heron's Key with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

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.

Compare

https://www.nursinghomesineachstate.com/washington/gig-harbor/herons-key/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.