Quick answers
- Where is Boundary Waters Care Center?
- 200 West Conan Street, Ely, MN 55731, in St. Louis County, Minnesota.
- What is the phone number of Boundary Waters Care Center?
- (218) 365-8714, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Boundary Waters Care Center?
- Medicare overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Boundary Waters Care Center been fined?
- Medicare lists no fines for Boundary Waters Care Center.
- What did inspectors find at Boundary Waters Care Center?
- In its last three inspection cycles (January 25, 2024 to December 11, 2025), Medicare lists 11 health citations; the most serious was level F. See the list below (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
Medicare ratings, explained
Star ratings are one piece of information. Visit, ask questions and talk with your doctor about what matters for your care.
Inspections, fines and staffing
In its last three inspection cycles (January 25, 2024 to December 11, 2025), Boundary Waters Care Center had 11 health citations; the most serious was level F (no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm). Medicare lists no fines or payment denials for it in the last three years. Nurse staffing is 4.07 hours per resident per day; the Minnesota average is 4.27 and the national average is 3.90.
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Data Catalog, data updated October 1, 2026, retrieved November 13, 2026.
Inspection history: last three cycles
State inspectors visit about once a year and also investigate complaints. Each citation (deficiency) has a tag number and a letter, A to L. The letter shows how serious the problem was and how many residents it affected.
What the letters A to L mean
| Seriousness | Isolated (a few residents) | Pattern (some) | Widespread (many) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No actual harm, potential for minimal harm | A | B | C |
| No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm | D | E | F |
| Actual harm to residents | G | H | I |
| Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety | J | K | L |
Source: the scope and severity grid Medicare (CMS) uses for nursing home citations.
Most recent cycle: December 11, 2025 — no health citations
Inspections in this cycle: December 11, 2025 (standard health inspection).
Previous cycle: October 16, 2024 — 5 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: October 16, 2024 (standard health inspection).
Show 5 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0809 Level F
“Ensure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.”
F0580 Level D
“Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.”
F0688 Level D
“Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.”
F0695 Level D
“Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.”
F0825 Level D
“Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.”
Earlier cycle: January 25, 2024 — 6 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: January 25, 2024 (standard health inspection).
Show 6 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0583 Level F
“Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.”
F0880 Level E
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0582 Level D
“Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.”
F0684 Level D
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
F0686 Level D
“Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.”
F0689 Level D
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
Citation descriptions are Medicare’s official wording. “From a complaint” means the citation came from a complaint investigation instead of the regular yearly inspection.
Full inspection reports on Medicare Care Compare →
Fire safety citations (16)
K0761 Level F
“To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.”
K0353 Level D
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0226 Level F
“Have horizontal exits used in accordance with safety requirements.”
K0741 Level F
“Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.”
K0920 Level E
“Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.”
K0163 Level D
“Install noncombustible or limited-combustible interior walls.”
K0353 Level D
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0921 Level D
“Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.”
K0346 Level F
“Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.”
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0372 Level F
“Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.”
K0521 Level F
“Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.”
K0712 Level F
“Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.”
K0226 Level E
“Have horizontal exits used in accordance with safety requirements.”
K0281 Level D
“Install proper backup exit lighting.”
K0363 Level D
“Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.”
Staffing
Hours of nursing care per resident per day, from the payroll records nursing homes send to Medicare, next to the state and national averages.
| Measure | This home | Minnesota | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 1.17 | 1.08 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.37 | 0.61 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 2.53 | 2.58 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 4.07 | 4.27 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 3.42 | 3.73 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.68 | 0.71 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 38.9% | 42.1% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 40.0% | 39.3% | 42.5% |
| Administrators who left in the last year | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.
Owners and operator
Part of a group of 10 nursing homes: Health Dimensions Group.
Owners and managers Medicare lists (2)
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | September 30, 2011 |
| Health Dimensions Consulting Inc | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | March 17, 2011 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Ownership file, data updated October 1, 2026. Only owners with an ownership interest and management companies are shown.
Compare with other nursing homes
Key facts
| Type | Nursing home |
|---|---|
| Certified beds | 38 |
| Average residents per day | 30.5 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | Non-profit – corporation |
| Group or chain (affiliated entity) | Health Dimensions Group |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 1967-07-24 |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 200 West Conan Street, Ely, MN 55731 |
| County | St. Louis County |
| State | Minnesota |
| Phone | (218) 365‑8714 |
| CMS Certification Number | 245138 |
| Name in Medicare records | BOUNDARY WATERS CARE CENTER |
| Corrections | Report an error or suggest an update → |
What to ask when you call or visit
A general checklist for any nursing home, not advice about this one. Medicare also publishes guides on medicare.gov.
- Is the home certified by Medicare and/or Medicaid, and does it have a bed for the care you need (short-term rehab or long-term care)?
- Can you see the latest state inspection report? Ask how any problems found were fixed.
- How many nurses and aides work on each shift, at night and on weekends? Is there a registered nurse on site at all times?
- Which doctors see residents, and how often? What happens in a medical emergency, and which hospital is used?
- What therapy (physical, occupational, speech) is offered, and how many days a week?
- Are residents clean, dressed and taking part in activities? Do staff speak to them kindly and answer call lights quickly?
- What do the daily rate and extra services cost, and what do Medicare, Medicaid or your insurance pay? Ask for it in writing.
- Is there a resident council and a family council? How are complaints handled? Ask for the long-term care ombudsman’s contact.
- Are meals appetizing, and can the home meet special diets, language needs and religious or cultural preferences?
- Visit more than once, including at a mealtime or in the evening, without an appointment.
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- Ely - Bloomenson Community Hospital0.1 mi · Ely, MN · Critical Access Hospital
- Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center31 mi · Aurora, MN · Critical Access Hospital
- Cook Hospital38 mi · Cook, MN · Critical Access Hospital
Sources
- Provider Information — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Medicare Care Compare — official Medicare profile of this provider
- Health Deficiencies — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Fire Safety Deficiencies — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Penalties — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Ownership — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- State US Averages — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Survey Summary — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Citation Code Look-up — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Inspection Dates — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13