Northern Mahaska Specialty Care
Oskaloosa, IA · Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home (CCN 165274) · 79 certified beds
Health inspection: 2 · Quality measures: 3 · Staffing: 4
Federal fines: 1 totaling $39,033
Phone: (641) 673-3000 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Northern Mahaska Specialty Care has a CMS overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, below the Iowa state average of 3.07. Its health inspection rating is 2 stars and its staffing rating is 4 stars.
Northern Mahaska Specialty Care reports total nurse staffing of 3.20 hours per resident per day, including 0.56 RN hours per resident per day, with a staffing star rating of 4. Nursing staff turnover is reported at 31.3%.
CMS records show 1 federal fine totaling $39,033.00 for Northern Mahaska Specialty Care, with 0 payment denials on record. No abuse icon or Special Focus designation is noted in the available CMS data for this facility.
About this facility
Northern Mahaska Specialty Care is a Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in Oskaloosa, Iowa, operated as a non-profit corporation. The facility has 79 certified beds and an average daily population of 75.8 residents. It has been federally certified since April 5, 1996.
According to CMS Care Compare, Northern Mahaska Specialty Care holds an overall star rating of 2 out of 5, which is below the Iowa state average of 3.07. Its component ratings are: health inspection rating of 2 stars, quality measure rating of 3 stars, and staffing rating of 4 stars.
Nurse staffing data show total nurse staffing hours of 3.20 hours per resident per day, including 0.56 RN hours per resident per day. Nursing staff turnover is reported at 31.3%.
On penalties, CMS records show 1 federal fine totaling $39,033.00 for this facility, with 0 payment denials of Medicare/Medicaid payment on record.
This facility is part of the Care Initiatives chain, which operates 43 facilities nationally with an average CMS rating of 2.9 stars. Ownership has not changed in the past 12 months.
No abuse icon or Special Focus Facility designation is indicated in the provided CMS data for this facility.
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?
Northern Mahaska Specialty Care has an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, which is below the Iowa state average of 3.07.
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 3.20 hours per resident per day, including 0.56 RN hours per resident per day, with a staffing star rating of 4. Nursing staff turnover is 31.3%.
Does this facility have federal fines or penalties on record?
Yes, CMS records show 1 fine totaling $39,033.00 and 0 payment denials.
Has CMS flagged this facility for abuse or placed it in the Special Focus program?
The provided CMS 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?
The facility has 79 certified beds with an average daily population of 75.8 residents.
Who owns this facility — and is it part of a chain?
It is a non-profit corporation and is part of the Care Initiatives chain, which operates 43 facilities nationally with an average rating of 2.9 stars.
How long has this facility been Medicare/Medicaid certified?
It has been certified since April 5, 1996.
What do the four different CMS star ratings mean?
CMS publishes an overall rating plus three component ratings: health inspection (2 stars here), staffing (4 stars), and quality measures (3 stars), which combine to form the overall score.
Does this facility offer short-term rehabilitation as well as long-term care?
The provided data does not specify service lines; contact the facility at (641) 673-3000 and verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
What should I look for when touring this facility?
The data provided does not cover tour details; contact the facility at (641) 673-3000 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 full current record at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/nursing-home/165274?state=IA.
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.