Birchwood Health Care Center
Forest Lake, MN · Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home (CCN 245200) · 100 certified beds
Health inspection: 1 · Quality measures: 5 · Staffing: 4
Federal fines: 3 totaling $48,698
Phone: (651) 464-5600 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Birchwood Health Care Center has a CMS overall star rating of 2 out of 5, which is below the Minnesota state average of 3.15. Its health inspection rating is 1 star, while its staffing rating is 4 stars.
Birchwood Health Care Center reports 3.86 total nurse hours per resident per day, including 0.78 RN hours per resident per day, with a nursing staff turnover rate of 37.7%. CMS gives the facility a staffing rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Birchwood Health Care Center has 3 federal fines on record totaling $48,698.00, with 0 payment denials. CMS does not show an abuse icon for this facility, and it is not listed in CMS's Special Focus Facility program.
About this facility
Birchwood Health Care Center is a non-profit corporation-owned nursing home in Forest Lake, Washington County, Minnesota, certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. It has been federally certified since December 1974 and maintains 100 certified beds, with an average of 84.3 residents. Birchwood is part of the Lifespark chain, which operates 4 facilities with an average CMS rating of 1.3 stars; ownership has not changed in the last 12 months.
According to CMS Care Compare data, Birchwood Health Care Center holds an overall star rating of 2 out of 5, which is below the Minnesota state average of 3.15. The four component CMS ratings are: health inspection rating of 1 star, quality measure (QM) rating of 5 stars, and staffing rating of 4 stars.
Nurse staffing levels are reported at 3.86 total nurse hours per resident per day, including 0.78 RN hours per resident per day. Nursing staff turnover is 37.7%.
On penalties: CMS records show 3 fines totaling $48,698.00 for this facility. There have been 0 payment denials on record.
CMS does not display an abuse icon for this facility, and it is not currently designated under CMS's Special Focus Facility program, which is reserved for facilities identified as persistently underperforming and subject to increased regulatory scrutiny.
Families should note the health inspection rating is notably low relative to the other component ratings, while quality measures score highly. This data reflects CMS Care Compare records and should be independently verified for the most current information before making a decision.
Questions families ask
What is this nursing home's CMS overall star rating and how does it compare to the state average?
Birchwood Health Care Center has a CMS overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, below the Minnesota state average of 3.15.
Does this facility accept Medicare, Medicaid, or both?
Yes, Birchwood Health Care Center is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid.
How well is this facility staffed — nurse hours per resident and turnover?
The facility reports 3.86 total nurse hours per resident per day, including 0.78 RN hours, with a 37.7% nursing turnover rate, earning a staffing rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Does this facility have federal fines or penalties on record?
Yes, CMS records show 3 fines totaling $48,698.00 and 0 payment denials.
Has CMS flagged this facility for abuse or placed it in the Special Focus program?
No, CMS does not display an abuse icon for this facility, and it is not in the Special Focus Facility program.
How large is this facility and how many residents live there?
Birchwood Health Care Center has 100 certified beds and an average of 84.3 residents.
Who owns this facility — and is it part of a chain?
It is owned by a non-profit corporation and is part of the Lifespark chain, which operates 4 facilities with an average rating of 1.3 stars.
How long has this facility been Medicare/Medicaid certified?
The facility has been certified since December 1974.
What do the four different CMS star ratings mean?
CMS rates facilities on overall quality, health inspections, staffing, and quality measures; Birchwood scores 2, 1, 4, and 5 stars respectively in these categories.
Does this facility offer short-term rehabilitation as well as long-term care?
This data does not specify rehabilitation services; contact the facility at (651) 464-5600 and verify on Medicare Care Compare.
What should I look for when touring this facility?
The provided CMS data does not include tour details; contact the facility at (651) 464-5600 to arrange a visit 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 facility's current record at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/nursing-home/245200?state=MN.
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.