Cycle 1
Health 2025-12-10 · Fire 2025-12-10
5 health deficiencies
Top issue: Pharmacy Service (2 deficiencies)
0 fire-safety deficiencies
No concentrated fire-safety issue counts in this cycle.
Billerica, MA
Life Care Center Of Merrimack Valley
2-star overall rating with 2-star inspections with $161,920 in total fines with 5 recent health deficiencies
80 Boston Road, Billerica, MA
(978) 667-2166
Overall
2 / 5
CMS overall stars
Health inspections
2 / 5
Survey and complaint cycles
Staffing
4 / 5
RN + nurse staffing
Quality measures
4 / 5
Resident outcomes and process measures
Quick facts
Facility snapshot
Beds
124
Certified beds
Average residents
101
Average occupied residents
Ownership
For-Profit
Publicly displayed owner type
Chain
Life Care Centers Of America
Operator or chain grouping
Approved since
1992-03-15
CMS approved date
Coverage
Medicare + Medicaid
Participation flags
Chain footprint
194 facilities
Chain averages 4 overall / 3 health / 3 staffing / 5 quality stars
Changed ownership
No
Within the last 12 months
Family council
Yes
Resident and family council reported
Sprinklers
Yes
Automatic sprinklers in all required areas
Staffing
Hours and turnover
RN hours / resident day
0.67
Registered nurse staffing · state 0.65 · national 0.68
LPN hours / resident day
0.92
Licensed practical nurse staffing · state 0.96 · national 0.87
Aide hours / resident day
2.55
Nurse aide staffing · state 2.26 · national 2.35
Total nurse hours
4.14
All reported nurse hours · state 3.86 · national 3.89
Licensed hours
1.59
RN + LPN hours · state 1.60 · national 1.54
Weekend hours
3.64
Weekend nurse staffing · state 3.45 · national 3.43
Weekend RN hours
0.45
Weekend registered nurse coverage · state 0.46 · national 0.47
Physical therapist
0.08
Reported PT staffing · state 0.08 · national 0.07
Adjusted RN hours
0.70
CMS adjusted RN staffing hours
Adjusted total hours
4.31
CMS adjusted total nurse staffing hours
Case-mix index
1.31
Higher values indicate more complex resident acuity
RN turnover
53%
Annual RN turnover · state 45% · national 45%
Total nurse turnover
43%
Annual nurse turnover · state 40% · national 46%
SNF VBP
Value-based purchasing
Program rank
9,987
Lower is better among SNFs in the FY 2026 VBP program.
Performance score
21.82
Composite VBP score used to determine payment impact.
Payment multiplier
0.9827
Above 1.000 increases Medicare payment; below 1.000 reduces it.
Program components
How the VBP score is built
Readmission
0.54
Baseline 23.13% · Performance 22.49% · Measure score 0.54 · Achievement 0 · Improvement 0.54
Healthcare-associated infections
0
Baseline 7.54% · Performance 7.70% · Measure score 0 · Achievement 0 · Improvement 0
Total nurse turnover
5.45
Baseline 36.92% · Performance 41.41% · Measure score 5.45 · Achievement 5.45 · Improvement 0
Adjusted total nurse staffing
2.74
Baseline 3.17 hours · Performance 3.86 hours · Measure score 2.74 · Achievement 2.74 · Improvement 2.13
SNF QRP
Medicare quality reporting measures
| Measure | Facility | National | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potentially preventable 30-day readmission | 10.71% |
10.72%
About the same
|
No Different than the National Rate · Eligible stays 242 · Observed rate 11.98% · Lower 95% interval 8.11% |
| Discharge to community | 53.28% |
50.57%
2.7 pts better
|
No Different than the National Rate · Eligible stays 239 · Observed rate 42.26% · Lower 95% interval 44.73% |
| Medicare spending per beneficiary | 0.98 |
1.02
About the same
|
|
| Drug regimen review with follow-up | 99.4% |
95.27%
4.1 pts better
|
Numerator 166 · Denominator 167 |
| Falls with major injury | 2.99% |
0.77%
2.2 pts worse
|
Numerator 5 · Denominator 167 |
| Discharge self-care score | 75.7% |
53.69%
22 pts better
|
Numerator 81 · Denominator 107 |
| Discharge mobility score | 80.37% |
50.94%
29.4 pts better
|
Numerator 86 · Denominator 107 |
| Pressure ulcers or injuries, new or worsened | 4.79% |
2.29%
2.5 pts worse
|
Numerator 8 · Denominator 167 · Adjusted rate 4.53% |
| Healthcare-associated infections requiring hospitalization | 7.7% |
7.12%
0.6 pts worse
|
No Different than the National Rate · Eligible stays 153 · Observed rate 9.15% · Lower 95% interval 5.49% |
| Staff COVID-19 vaccination coverage | 3.05% |
8.2%
5.1 pts worse
|
Numerator 5 · Denominator 164 |
| Staff flu vaccination coverage | 54.67% |
42%
12.7 pts better
|
Numerator 123 · Denominator 225 |
| Discharge function score | 85.98% |
56.45%
29.5 pts better
|
Numerator 92 · Denominator 107 |
| Transfer of health information to provider | 100% |
95.95%
4 pts better
|
Numerator 49 · Denominator 49 |
| Transfer of health information to patient | 98.75% |
96.28%
2.5 pts better
|
Numerator 79 · Denominator 80 |
| Resident COVID-19 vaccinations up to date | 38.46% |
25.2%
13.3 pts better
|
Numerator 35 · Denominator 91 |
Quality measures
Resident outcomes and process scores
| Measure | Facility | State | National | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 1.7 |
1.9
0.2 pts better
|
1.9
0.2 pts better
|
Long Stay · 20240701-20250630 · Adjusted 1.7 · Observed 1.7 · Expected 1.8 · Used in QM five-star |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 1.4 |
1.5
0.1 pts better
|
1.8
0.4 pts better
|
Long Stay · 20240701-20250630 · Adjusted 1.4 · Observed 1.5 · Expected 1.8 · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 99.2% |
92.2%
7 pts better
|
93.4%
5.8 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 100.0% · Q2 100.0% · Q3 98.8% · Q4 97.7% · 4Q avg 99.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 100.0% |
94.8%
5.2 pts better
|
95.5%
4.5 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q3-2025Q2 · 4Q avg 100.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 3.6% |
3.5%
0.1 pts worse
|
3.3%
0.3 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 2.1% · Q2 3.4% · Q3 4.7% · Q4 4.5% · 4Q avg 3.6% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 19.5% |
12.0%
7.5 pts worse
|
11.4%
8.1 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 22.1% · Q2 26.6% · Q3 15.2% · Q4 14.1% · 4Q avg 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 2.9% |
5.2%
2.3 pts better
|
5.4%
2.5 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 3.2% · Q2 1.2% · Q3 6.0% · Q4 1.2% · 4Q avg 2.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 17.0% |
19.2%
2.2 pts better
|
19.6%
2.6 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 15.8% · Q2 21.8% · Q3 15.5% · Q4 14.9% · 4Q avg 17.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 21.0% |
22.5%
1.5 pts better
|
16.7%
4.3 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 25.3% · Q2 20.3% · Q3 22.2% · Q4 16.0% · 4Q avg 21.0% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% |
0.1%
0.1 pts better
|
0.1%
0.1 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 0.0% · Q2 0.0% · Q3 0.0% · Q4 0.0% · 4Q avg 0.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 5.0% |
17.7%
12.7 pts better
|
16.3%
11.3 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 5.8% · Q2 4.3% · Q3 1.9% · Q4 8.3% · 4Q avg 5.0% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 7.6% |
17.6%
10 pts better
|
14.9%
7.3 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 4.7% · Q2 13.3% · Q3 3.8% · Q4 8.6% · 4Q avg 7.6% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 0.0% |
1.0%
1 pts better
|
1.0%
1 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 0.0% · Q2 0.0% · Q3 0.0% · Q4 0.0% · 4Q avg 0.0% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 1.4% |
2.0%
0.6 pts better
|
1.7%
0.3 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 3.2% · Q2 1.2% · Q3 1.2% · Q4 0.0% · 4Q avg 1.4% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 23.7% |
21.7%
2 pts worse
|
19.8%
3.9 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 8.6% · Q2 17.6% · Q3 34.8% · Q4 35.4% · 4Q avg 23.7% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 3.0% |
4.6%
1.6 pts better
|
5.1%
2.1 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 7.2% · Q2 1.5% · Q3 1.5% · Q4 1.4% · 4Q avg 3.0% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 99.8% |
77.1%
22.7 pts better
|
81.7%
18.1 pts better
|
Short Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 100.0% · Q2 100.0% · Q3 100.0% · Q4 99.0% · 4Q avg 99.8% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 9.0% |
11.8%
2.8 pts better
|
12.0%
3 pts better
|
Short Stay · 20240701-20250630 · Adjusted 9.0% · Observed 9.5% · Expected 11.8% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 0.9% |
1.3%
0.4 pts better
|
1.6%
0.7 pts better
|
Short Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 0.0% · Q2 1.6% · Q3 1.7% · Q4 0.0% · 4Q avg 0.9% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 100.0% |
77.7%
22.3 pts better
|
79.7%
20.3 pts better
|
Short Stay · 2024Q3-2025Q2 · 4Q avg 100.0% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 30.1% |
25.8%
4.3 pts worse
|
23.9%
6.2 pts worse
|
Short Stay · 20240701-20250630 · Adjusted 30.1% · Observed 28.6% · Expected 22.7% · Used in QM five-star |
Survey summary
Recent inspection cycles
Cycle 2
Health 2024-12-04 · Fire 2024-12-04
17 health deficiencies
Top issue: Administration (5 deficiencies)
0 fire-safety deficiencies
No concentrated fire-safety issue counts in this cycle.
Cycle 3
Health 2023-11-22 · Fire 2023-11-22
4 health deficiencies
Top issue: Pharmacy Service (2 deficiencies)
1 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Emergency Preparedness (1 deficiency)
Fire safety
Fire-safety citations
C · Minimal harm
2023-11-22
E41 · Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Fire Safety
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Corrected 2023-12-15
Inspection history
Recent health citations
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-12-10
F698 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Health
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected 2025-12-26
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-12-10
F760 · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Health
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Corrected 2025-12-26
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-12-10
F761 · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Health
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Corrected 2025-12-26
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-12-10
F808 · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Health
Ensure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law.
Corrected 2025-12-26
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-08-14
F552 · Resident Rights Deficiencies
Health
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Corrected 2025-09-05
H · Actual harm
2024-12-04
F600 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Health
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Corrected 2025-01-02
H · Actual harm
2024-12-04
F686 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Health
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Corrected 2025-01-02
H · Actual harm
2024-12-04
F841 · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Health
Designate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility.
Corrected 2025-01-02
G · Actual harm
2024-12-04
F655 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Health
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Corrected 2025-01-02
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-12-04
F726 · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Health
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Corrected 2025-01-02
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-12-04
F812 · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Health
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected 2025-01-02
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-12-04
F835 · Administration Deficiencies
Health
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Corrected 2025-01-02
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-12-04
F837 · Administration Deficiencies
Health
Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.
Corrected 2025-01-02
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-12-04
F838 · Administration Deficiencies
Health
Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
Corrected 2025-01-02
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-12-04
F865 · Administration Deficiencies
Health
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Corrected 2025-01-02
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-12-04
F880 · Infection Control Deficiencies
Health
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected 2025-01-02
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-12-04
F656 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Health
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected 2025-01-02
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-12-04
F694 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Health
Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
Corrected 2025-01-02
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-12-04
F698 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Health
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected 2025-01-02
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-12-04
F761 · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Health
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Corrected 2025-01-02
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-12-04
F840 · Administration Deficiencies
Health
Employ or obtain outside professional resources to provide services in the nursing home when the facility does not employ a qualified professional to furnish a required service.
Corrected 2025-01-02
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-12-04
F842 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Health
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected 2025-01-02
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2023-11-22
F761 · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Health
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Corrected 2023-12-12
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2023-11-22
F550 · Resident Rights Deficiencies
Health
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected 2023-12-12
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2023-11-22
F756 · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Health
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Corrected 2023-12-12
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2023-11-22
F842 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Health
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected 2023-12-12
Penalties and ownership
What sits behind the stars
$161,920
2024-12-04
Fine
Fine · fine $161,920
Fine
Ownership
Life Care Centers Of America, Inc.
5% Or Greater Direct Ownership Interest · Organization
Preston, Forrest
5% Or Greater Indirect Ownership Interest · Individual
Cross, Cindy
Corporate Officer · Individual
Faustin, Moseline
Operational/Managerial Control · Individual
Finkel, Noah
Operational/Managerial Control · Individual
Fletcher, Todd
Operational/Managerial Control · Individual
Henry, Terry
Corporate Officer · Individual
Janiak, Andrea
Operational/Managerial Control · Individual
Lay, Lisa
Operational/Managerial Control · Individual
Life Care Centers Of America, Inc.
Operational/Managerial Control · Organization
Long, Zofia
Operational/Managerial Control · Individual
Preston, Aubrey
Operational/Managerial Control · Individual
Preston, Forrest
Operational/Managerial Control · Individual
Swanker, Richard
Operational/Managerial Control · Individual
Thurmond, Joan
Corporate Officer · Individual
Ziegler, James
Operational/Managerial Control · Individual
Nearby options
Other facilities in reach
#1
New England Pediatric Care
North Billerica, MA
5-star overall rating with 5-star inspections with 2 recent health deficiencies with 9 fire-safety deficiencies in the latest cycle
#2
Sunny Acres Skilled Nursing And Rehabilitation Ctr
Chelmsford, MA
4-star overall rating with 4-star inspections with 3 recent health deficiencies with 11 fire-safety deficiencies in the latest cycle
#3
Vantage at Lowell LLC
Lowell, MA
2-star overall rating with 3-star inspections with $47,933 in total fines with 6 recent health deficiencies with 9 fire-safety deficiencies in the latest cycle
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