Northgate Care Center
Waukon, IA · Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home (CCN 165338) · 50 certified beds
Health inspection: 1 · Quality measures: 3 · Staffing: 3
Federal fines: 1 totaling $87,160
Phone: (563) 568-3493 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Northgate Care Center has a CMS overall star rating of 1 out of 5, below the Iowa state average of 3.07. Its health inspection rating is 1 out of 5 and its staffing rating is 3 out of 5.
Northgate Care Center reports 2.97 total nurse hours per resident per day, including 0.396 RN hours per resident per day, with a staffing star rating of 3 out of 5. Nursing staff turnover is 34.3%.
Northgate Care Center has 1 federal fine on record totaling $87,160.00, with 0 payment denials. CMS has also designated this facility as an SFF Candidate under its Special Focus Facility program due to a history of persistent quality problems.
About this facility
Northgate Care Center is a for-profit nursing home in Waukon, Iowa, certified for both Medicare and Medicaid since August 1997. The facility is certified for 50 beds and has an average daily census of 41.2 residents.
According to CMS Care Compare, Northgate Care Center holds an overall star rating of 1 out of 5, which is below the Iowa state average of 3.07. Its health inspection rating is 1 out of 5, its quality measure (QM) rating is 3 out of 5, and its staffing rating is 3 out of 5.
Total nurse staffing is reported at 2.97 hours per resident per day, including 0.396 RN hours per resident per day. Nursing staff turnover is 34.3%.
On penalties: CMS records show 1 federal fine totaling $87,160.00, and 0 payment denials.
CMS has designated this facility as an SFF Candidate under its Special Focus Facility program, meaning it has been identified as having a history of persistent quality problems and is subject to increased CMS scrutiny compared to other homes. Families should review the full inspection history on Care Compare before making a decision.
Northgate Care Center is part of the Legacy Healthcare chain, which operates 89 facilities nationally with an average chain rating of 2.9 out of 5. There has been no ownership change reported in the last 12 months.
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?
Northgate Care Center has an overall rating of 1 out of 5 stars, which is below the Iowa state average of 3.07.
Does this facility accept Medicare, Medicaid, or both?
Northgate Care Center is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid.
How well is this facility staffed — nurse hours per resident and turnover?
Total nurse staffing is 2.97 hours per resident per day, including 0.396 RN hours per day, with nursing turnover at 34.3% and a staffing star rating of 3 out of 5.
Does this facility have federal fines or penalties on record?
Yes, CMS records show 1 federal fine totaling $87,160.00 and 0 payment denials.
Has CMS flagged this facility for abuse or placed it in the Special Focus program?
There is no abuse icon on record, but CMS has designated Northgate Care Center an SFF Candidate, meaning it has a history of persistent quality problems and faces increased inspection scrutiny.
How large is this facility and how many residents live there?
The facility is certified for 50 beds and has an average daily census of 41.2 residents.
Who owns this facility — and is it part of a chain?
Northgate Care Center is a for-profit corporation and is part of the Legacy Healthcare chain, which operates 89 facilities nationally with an average rating of 2.9 out of 5.
How long has this facility been Medicare/Medicaid certified?
The facility was first approved for Medicare/Medicaid certification on August 1, 1997.
What do the four different CMS star ratings mean?
CMS rates facilities on overall quality, health inspections, staffing, and quality measures; Northgate Care Center scores 1, 1, 3, and 3 out of 5 respectively.
Does this facility offer short-term rehabilitation as well as long-term care?
The provided CMS data does not specify short-term rehab services; contact the facility at (563) 568-3493 or verify on Medicare Care Compare.
What should I look for when touring this facility?
This is not covered in the CMS data provided; contact the facility at (563) 568-3493 to arrange a tour and review details.
How do I verify this facility's current record on Medicare Care Compare?
You can review the current record directly at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/nursing-home/165338?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.