Emerald Coast Center
Fort Walton Beach, FL · Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home (CCN 105265) · 120 certified beds
Health inspection: 4 · Quality measures: 4 · Staffing: 3
Federal fines: 2 totaling $17,114
Phone: (850) 243-6134 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Emerald Coast Center holds a CMS overall star rating of 4 out of 5, above the Florida state average of 3.27. Its health inspection rating is 4 stars and its staffing rating is 3 stars.
Emerald Coast Center reports total nurse staffing of 3.23 hours per resident per day, including 0.58 RN hours per resident per day, with a staffing star rating of 3 out of 5. Nursing staff turnover is reported at 42.2%.
Emerald Coast Center has 2 federal fines on record totaling $17,114.00, with 0 payment denials. CMS data does not indicate an abuse icon or Special Focus Status for this facility.
About this facility
Emerald Coast Center is a Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home located in Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, Florida. Originally approved for federal certification on August 7, 1973, the facility is licensed for 120 certified beds and reports an average daily census of 102.2 residents. It is operated under a For profit - Individual ownership structure and is part of the Hearthstone Senior Communities chain, which includes 8 facilities with a chain-wide average CMS rating of 1.9 stars.
According to CMS Care Compare, Emerald Coast Center holds an overall star rating of 4 out of 5, which is above the Florida state average of 3.27. Its component ratings include a Health Inspection rating of 4 stars, a Quality Measure rating of 4 stars, and a Staffing rating of 3 stars.
Nurse staffing data reported to CMS show total nurse staffing hours of 3.23 hours per resident per day, including 0.58 RN hours per resident per day. Nursing staff turnover is reported at 42.2%.
On penalties, CMS records show 2 federal fines totaling $17,114.00 assessed against this facility, and 0 payment denials of Medicare/Medicaid payment on record. No abuse icon or Special Focus Status designation is indicated in the available data for this facility. Ownership has not changed in the last 12 months, according to CMS data.
Source: CMS Medicare Care Compare.
Questions families ask
What is this nursing home's CMS overall star rating and how does it compare to the state average?
Emerald Coast Center has an overall CMS rating of 4 out of 5 stars, above the Florida state average of 3.27.
Does this facility accept Medicare, Medicaid, or both?
It is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid.
How well is this facility staffed — nurse hours per resident and turnover?
Total nurse staffing is 3.23 hours per resident per day, including 0.58 RN hours per resident per day, with 42.2% nursing turnover and a staffing rating of 3 stars.
Does this facility have federal fines or penalties on record?
Yes, CMS records show 2 fines totaling $17,114.00, and 0 payment denials.
Has CMS flagged this facility for abuse or placed it in the Special Focus program?
The available data does not indicate an abuse icon or Special Focus Status for this facility.
How large is this facility and how many residents live there?
It is certified for 120 beds with an average daily census of 102.2 residents.
Who owns this facility — and is it part of a chain?
It is owned under a For profit - Individual structure and is part of the Hearthstone Senior Communities chain, which has 8 facilities with a chain-wide average rating of 1.9 stars.
How long has this facility been Medicare/Medicaid certified?
It was first approved for certification on August 7, 1973.
What do the four different CMS star ratings mean?
CMS publishes an overall rating plus separate ratings for health inspections, staffing, and quality measures; this facility scores 4, 4, 3, and 4 stars respectively.
Does this facility offer short-term rehabilitation as well as long-term care?
This detail is not included in the provided data; contact the facility at (850) 243-6134 or verify on Medicare Care Compare.
What should I look for when touring this facility?
This is not addressed in the CMS data provided; contact the facility at (850) 243-6134 to arrange a visit.
How do I verify this facility's current record on Medicare Care Compare?
You can review the current record at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/nursing-home/105265?state=FL.
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.