Kern River Transitional Care
Bakersfield, CA · Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home (CCN 555912) · 140 certified beds
Health inspection: 1 · Quality measures: 4 · Staffing: 2
Federal fines: 1 totaling $77,720
Phone: (661) 325-9900 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Kern River Transitional Care has an overall CMS rating of 1 out of 5 stars, below the California state average of 3.16. Its health inspection rating is 1 star and its staffing rating is 2 stars.
Kern River Transitional Care reports 4.52 total nurse hours per resident per day, including 0.54 RN hours per resident per day, with a staffing star rating of 2 out of 5. Nursing staff turnover is reported at 48.3%.
Kern River Transitional Care has 1 federal fine on record totaling $77,720.00, with no payment denials. CMS does not show an abuse icon or Special Focus status for this facility in the available data.
About this facility
Kern River Transitional Care is a 140-bed skilled nursing facility in Bakersfield, California, with an average of 136 residents. It is organized as a for-profit limited liability company and is certified to accept both Medicare and Medicaid, having first been approved in April 2019.
According to CMS Care Compare, the facility holds an overall star rating of 1 out of 5, which is below the California state average of 3.16 stars. Its component ratings are mixed: health inspections are rated 1 star, quality measures are rated 4 stars, and staffing is rated 2 stars.
Nurse staffing totals 4.52 hours per resident per day, including 0.54 RN hours per resident per day. Nursing staff turnover is reported at 48.3%, a relatively high rate.
On penalties, CMS records show 1 federal fine totaling $77,720.00. There are no payment denials on record. No abuse icon is flagged in this data, and no Special Focus Facility status is indicated.
Kern River Transitional Care is part of the Pacs Group chain, which operates 274 facilities nationally with an average chain rating of 2.9 stars. Ownership has not changed in the past 12 months, so current ratings reflect the present operator.
Data sourced from 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?
It has an overall rating of 1 out of 5 stars, below the California state average of 3.16.
Does this facility accept Medicare, Medicaid, or both?
Yes, it is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid.
How well is this facility staffed — nurse hours per resident and turnover?
Total nurse staffing is 4.52 hours per resident per day, with a staffing star rating of 2 out of 5, and nursing turnover is 48.3%.
Does this facility have federal fines or penalties on record?
Yes, CMS records show 1 fine totaling $77,720.00, and no 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 Facility status for this facility.
How large is this facility and how many residents live there?
It is certified for 140 beds with an average of 136 residents.
Who owns this facility — and is it part of a chain?
It is a for-profit LLC and part of the Pacs Group chain, which operates 274 facilities nationally with an average rating of 2.9 stars.
How long has this facility been Medicare/Medicaid certified?
It was first approved for certification on April 16, 2019.
What do the four different CMS star ratings mean?
CMS rates facilities on overall, health inspection, staffing, and quality measures; this facility scores 1, 1, 2, and 4 stars respectively.
Does this facility offer short-term rehabilitation as well as long-term care?
The data provided does not specify service types; contact the facility at (661) 325-9900 or verify on Medicare Care Compare.
What should I look for when touring this facility?
The provided data does not cover tour details; contact the facility at (661) 325-9900 or check Medicare Care Compare.
How do I verify this facility's current record on Medicare Care Compare?
You can review the latest ratings and inspection reports at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/nursing-home/555912?state=CA.
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.