All states › Wisconsin › South Milwaukee › Willowcrest Health Services
3821 S Chicago Ave South Milwaukee, WI 53172 · Milwaukee County
All 2 nursing homes in South Milwaukee, WI (2 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 525413 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Willowcrest Health Services 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 Willowcrest Health Services as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Wisconsin average of 3.1.
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 3.38 hours per resident per day at Willowcrest Health Services, below the Wisconsin median of 4.04 (US median: 3.72). About 0.55 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 2.94 hours, 13% below its all-week average. 32.9% of nursing staff left within a year (Wisconsin median 45.7%). That is lower than most homes in Wisconsin, a sign of a steadier team.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Willowcrest Health Services: Medicare and Medicaid
Willowcrest Health Services 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 Wisconsin'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 June 5, 2025 and found 13 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 36 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 36 citations at Willowcrest Health Services across 5 inspection dates, 5 of them from complaint investigations. 2 were at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on March 29, 2024 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (17) and pharmacy service (5). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel , subject to physician orders and the resident’s advance directives" (tag F0678, level J, March 29, 2024). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
June 5, 2025 · 13 citations
FElectronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.
FProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide 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.
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 that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
March 5, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
October 14, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
CPost nurse staffing information every day.
March 29, 2024 · 17 citations, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection
JProvide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel , subject to physician orders and the resident’s advance directives.
JEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
FProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
EObserve each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
EConduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
EProvide training in compliance and ethics.
EProvide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DEnsure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
DProvide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DImplement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
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.
BProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
January 12, 2023 · 4 citations
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
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.
Questions to ask on a tour of Willowcrest Health Services
- Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on March 29, 2024 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 June 5, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- CMS rates staffing 2 out of 5. How many residents does each nurse aide care for on day, evening and night shifts?
- 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 $21,285 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 29, 2024 | Fine | $21,285 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Willowcrest Health Services
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
- 5.1 mi
-
7.3 mi
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare- St Francis MilwaukeeEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 16m for patients treated and sent home
-
7.9 mi
Aurora St Lukes Medical Center MilwaukeeEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 2h 52m 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 Willowcrest Health Services › All nursing homes in South Milwaukee ›
Compare Willowcrest Health Services with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Complete Care at Southpointe · Greenfield · 4 stars · 7.0 mi
- St Ann Health and Rehabilitation Center · Milwaukee · 4 stars · 8.8 mi
- Complete Care at Hales Corners · Hales Corners · 4 stars · 9.3 mi
- St Francis Health Services · Saint Francis · 3 stars · 5.6 mi
Other North Shore Healthcare nursing homes in Wisconsin
- Hammond Health Services · Hammond · 5 stars
- Kewaunee Health Services · Kewaunee · 5 stars
- Ellsworth Health Services · Ellsworth · 5 stars
- Twin Ports Health Services · Superior · 5 stars
- Delavan Health Services · Delavan · 5 stars
- Cornell Health Services · Cornell · 5 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 57 North Shore 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.