Merkel Nursing Center
Merkel, TX · Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home (CCN 676053) · 65 certified beds
Health inspection: 1 · Quality measures: 1 · Staffing: 3
Federal fines: 2 totaling $318,060
Phone: (325) 928-5673 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Merkel Nursing Center has a CMS overall star rating of 1 out of 5, below the Texas state average of 2.65 stars. Its health inspection rating is 1 star and its staffing rating is 3 stars.
Merkel Nursing Center reports total nurse staffing of about 3.35 hours per resident per day, including 0.68 RN hours per resident per day, with a staffing turnover rate of 71.1% and a CMS staffing star rating of 3.
Merkel Nursing Center has 2 federal fines on record totaling $318,060.00, with no payment denials reported. CMS also displays an abuse icon for this facility and has designated it an SFF Candidate under its Special Focus program for persistently underperforming facilities.
About this facility
Merkel Nursing Center is a for-profit (Limited Liability Company) nursing home in Merkel, Taylor County, Texas, certified for Medicare and Medicaid since June 2005. The facility is licensed for 65 beds but currently serves an average of 18.7 residents.
According to CMS Care Compare, Merkel Nursing Center holds an overall star rating of 1 out of 5, below the Texas state average of 2.65 stars. Its health inspection rating is 1 star, its quality measure rating is 1 star, and its staffing rating is 3 stars.
Nurse staffing data show total nurse hours of 3.35 per resident per day, including 0.68 RN hours per resident per day. Nursing staff turnover is reported at 71.1%, a high rate relative to typical benchmarks.
On penalties, CMS records show 2 federal fines totaling $318,060.00. There have been no payment denials on record.
CMS displays an abuse icon for this facility, indicating a citation related to abuse; families should review the full inspection record on Care Compare for details. In addition, CMS has designated this facility as an 'SFF Candidate' under its Special Focus Facility program, meaning it has a history of persistent quality problems and is being monitored more closely than other facilities through increased inspections.
No chain affiliation is listed in this data, and there has been no change of ownership in the past 12 months, so current ratings reflect the present operator.
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?
Merkel Nursing Center has an overall rating of 1 out of 5 stars, which is below the Texas state average of 2.65 stars.
Does this facility accept Medicare, Medicaid, or both?
Yes, it is certified to accept both Medicare and Medicaid.
How well is this facility staffed — nurse hours per resident and turnover?
Total nurse staffing is about 3.35 hours per resident per day, including 0.68 RN hours, with a staffing star rating of 3 and a nursing turnover rate of 71.1%.
Does this facility have federal fines or penalties on record?
Yes, CMS records show 2 fines totaling $318,060.00, and no payment denials.
Has CMS flagged this facility for abuse or placed it in the Special Focus program?
Yes, CMS displays an abuse icon for this facility and has designated it an SFF Candidate, meaning it has a history of persistent quality problems under increased inspection scrutiny.
How large is this facility and how many residents live there?
The facility is certified for 65 beds and has an average daily population of 18.7 residents.
Who owns this facility — and is it part of a chain?
It is owned by a for-profit Limited Liability Company; the data provided does not indicate any chain affiliation.
How long has this facility been Medicare/Medicaid certified?
It has been certified since June 1, 2005.
What do the four different CMS star ratings mean?
CMS rates facilities on overall quality, health inspections, staffing, and quality measures; Merkel Nursing Center scores 1, 1, 3, and 1 star respectively in those categories.
Does this facility offer short-term rehabilitation as well as long-term care?
This information is not included in the provided data; contact the facility at 3259285673 and verify on Medicare Care Compare.
What should I look for when touring this facility?
This data does not cover tour details; contact the facility at 3259285673 to arrange a visit and review its full inspection history on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I verify this facility's current record on Medicare Care Compare?
You can review the most current details at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/nursing-home/676053?state=TX.
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.