Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
Lowell, MA · Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home (CCN 225298) · 123 certified beds
Health inspection: 1 · Quality measures: 2 · Staffing: 2
Federal fines: 1 totaling $85,178
Phone: (978) 458-8773 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center has a CMS overall rating of 1 out of 5 stars, below the Massachusetts state average of 3.04 stars. Its health inspection rating is 1 star and its staffing rating is 2 stars.
Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center reports total nurse staffing of 2.83 hours per resident per day, including 0.38 RN hours per resident per day, with a staffing star rating of 2. Nursing staff turnover is reported at 23.8%.
Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center has 1 federal fine on record totaling $85,178.00, with 0 payment denials. CMS does not list an abuse icon or Special Focus status for this facility.
About this facility
Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center is a Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, first approved for certification on February 17, 1987. The facility has 123 certified beds and an average daily census of 115.3 residents. It operates under a for-profit partnership ownership structure and is part of Athena Healthcare Systems, a chain of 22 facilities with a chain-wide average CMS rating of 1.5 stars; ownership has not changed in the past 12 months.
According to CMS Care Compare, Northwood's overall star rating is 1 out of 5, below the Massachusetts state average of 3.04 stars. Its health inspection rating is 1 star, its quality measure (QM) rating is 2 stars, and its staffing rating is 2 stars.
Nurse staffing data show total nurse hours per resident per day of 2.83, including 0.38 RN hours per resident per day, with a nursing staff turnover rate of 23.8%.
On penalties, CMS records show 1 federal fine totaling $85,178.00 and 0 payment denials for this facility.
CMS Care Compare data as referenced here reflects the most recent published dataset available for this facility.
Questions families ask
What is this nursing home's CMS overall star rating and how does it compare to the state average?
Northwood has a CMS overall rating of 1 out of 5 stars, which is below the Massachusetts state average of 3.04 stars.
Does this facility accept Medicare, Medicaid, or both?
Northwood is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid.
How well is this facility staffed — nurse hours per resident and turnover?
Total nurse staffing is 2.83 hours per resident per day, including 0.38 RN hours per resident per day, with a staffing star rating of 2 and a nursing turnover rate of 23.8%.
Does this facility have federal fines or penalties on record?
Yes, CMS records show 1 fine totaling $85,178.00 and 0 payment denials.
Has CMS flagged this facility for abuse or placed it in the Special Focus program?
The data provided does not indicate an abuse icon or Special Focus status for this facility.
How large is this facility and how many residents live there?
Northwood has 123 certified beds with an average daily population of 115.3 residents.
Who owns this facility — and is it part of a chain?
Northwood is owned as a for-profit partnership and is part of Athena Healthcare Systems, a chain of 22 facilities with an average CMS rating of 1.5 stars.
How long has this facility been Medicare/Medicaid certified?
Northwood was first approved for Medicare/Medicaid certification on February 17, 1987.
What do the four different CMS star ratings mean?
CMS rates facilities on four measures: overall, health inspection, quality measures (QM), and staffing; Northwood scores 1, 1, 2, and 2 stars respectively.
Does this facility offer short-term rehabilitation as well as long-term care?
The data provided does not specify service types beyond Medicare/Medicaid certification; contact the facility at 9784588773 and verify on Medicare Care Compare.
What should I look for when touring this facility?
The data provided does not cover touring details; contact the facility at 9784588773 and verify current conditions on Medicare Care Compare.
How do I verify this facility's current record on Medicare Care Compare?
You can review Northwood's full current record at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/nursing-home/225298?state=MA.
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.