All states › Washington › Gig Harbor › Heron's Key
4340 Borgen Blvd NW Gig Harbor, WA 98332 · Pierce County
All 3 nursing homes in Gig Harbor, WA (2 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 505531 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
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.
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%).
About this nursing home
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.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.
November 15, 2024 · 12 citations
FGive residents a notice of rights, rules, services and charges.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
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.
DHonor the resident's right to share a room with spouse or roommate of choice and receive written notice before a change is made.
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.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
DMake sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
CPost nurse staffing information every day.
January 8, 2024 · 3 citations
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
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.
Questions to ask on a tour of Heron's Key
- What do families most often ask you about before moving in?
- 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 month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
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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.
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1.1 mi
St Anthony Hospital Gig HarborEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 3h 20m for patients treated and sent home
- 9.6 mi
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9.6 mi
Tacoma General Hospital TacomaEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median 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
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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.