Avantara Watertown
Watertown, SD · Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home (CCN 435068) · 51 certified beds
Health inspection: 1 · Quality measures: 2 · Staffing: 3
Federal fines: 1 totaling $6,368
Phone: (605) 886-8431 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Avantara Watertown has a CMS overall rating of 1 out of 5 stars, which is below South Dakota's state average of 2.88. Its health inspection rating is also 1 star, while its staffing rating is 3 stars.
Avantara Watertown reports 3.57 total nurse hours per resident per day, including 1.06 RN hours per resident per day, with a staffing star rating of 3 out of 5. Nursing staff turnover is reported at 44.2%.
Avantara Watertown has 1 federal fine on record totaling $6,368.00 and no payment denials. CMS also displays its abuse icon for this facility and lists it as an SFF Candidate under the Special Focus Facility program, meaning it has been identified as persistently underperforming and is under increased inspection scrutiny.
About this facility
Avantara Watertown is a 51-bed skilled nursing facility in Watertown, South Dakota, operated under a for-profit limited liability company structure and certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. The facility currently averages 46.6 residents and has been certified since March 1993.
According to CMS Care Compare, Avantara Watertown holds an overall star rating of 1 out of 5, which is below the South Dakota state average of 2.88. The facility's health inspection rating is also 1 star, its quality measure (QM) rating is 2 stars, and its staffing rating is 3 stars. These four ratings reflect distinct aspects of CMS evaluation: overall performance, inspection findings, care outcome measures, and staffing levels.
Nurse staffing totals 3.57 hours per resident per day, including 1.06 RN hours per resident per day. Nursing staff turnover is reported at 44.2%.
On penalties: CMS records show 1 federal fine totaling $6,368.00, with no payment denials on record. CMS also displays its abuse icon for this facility, indicating families should review the full inspection record on Care Compare directly. Additionally, Avantara Watertown is designated an SFF Candidate under CMS's Special Focus Facility program, a designation given to facilities CMS has identified as persistently underperforming and subject to increased inspection frequency.
This facility is part of the Legacy Healthcare chain, which includes 89 facilities nationally with an average chain rating of 2.9 stars. There has been no ownership change in the past 12 months. All figures are sourced from CMS Care Compare; prospective families should verify current details directly on the Care Compare website.
Questions families ask
What is this nursing home's CMS overall star rating and how does it compare to the state average?
Avantara Watertown has an overall rating of 1 out of 5 stars, below the South Dakota state average of 2.88.
Does this facility accept Medicare, Medicaid, or both?
Yes, Avantara Watertown is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid.
How well is this facility staffed — nurse hours per resident and turnover?
The facility reports 3.57 total nurse hours per resident per day, including 1.06 RN hours per resident per day, with staff turnover at 44.2% and a staffing star rating of 3.
Does this facility have federal fines or penalties on record?
Yes, CMS records show 1 fine totaling $6,368.00 and no payment denials.
Has CMS flagged this facility for abuse or placed it in the Special Focus program?
Yes, CMS displays its abuse icon for this facility, and it is designated an SFF Candidate under the Special Focus Facility program for persistently underperforming facilities.
How large is this facility and how many residents live there?
Avantara Watertown has 51 certified beds and an average daily census of 46.6 residents.
Who owns this facility — and is it part of a chain?
It is operated as a for-profit limited liability company and is part of the Legacy Healthcare chain, which includes 89 facilities with an average rating of 2.9 stars.
How long has this facility been Medicare/Medicaid certified?
The facility has been certified since March 1, 1993.
What do the four different CMS star ratings mean?
CMS rates facilities on overall performance, health inspections, quality measures, and staffing; Avantara Watertown scores 1, 1, 2, and 3 stars respectively in these categories.
Does this facility offer short-term rehabilitation as well as long-term care?
The provided data does not specify service types; contact the facility at 6058868431 and verify on Medicare Care Compare.
What should I look for when touring this facility?
This data set does not include tour information; contact the facility at 6058868431 and verify current conditions on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I verify this facility's current record on Medicare Care Compare?
You can review the latest inspection, staffing, and penalty details at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/nursing-home/435068?state=SD.
Data: CMS Care Compare (Aug2026 refresh). Star ratings, staffing hours, and penalty records are CMS's official published measures. Always tour the facility, review the current inspection record, and verify details with Medicare before making care decisions.