Quick answers
- Where is Dubuque Specialty Care?
- 2935 Kaufmann Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001, in Dubuque County, Iowa.
- What is the phone number of Dubuque Specialty Care?
- (563) 556-0673, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Dubuque Specialty Care?
- Medicare overall rating: 2 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Dubuque Specialty Care been fined?
- Medicare lists 1 fine totaling $53,372 and 1 payment denial.
- What did inspectors find at Dubuque Specialty Care?
- In its last three inspection cycles (May 4, 2023 to July 30, 2025), Medicare lists 23 health citations; the most serious was level G. 2 were level G or higher (actual harm or immediate jeopardy). 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 (May 4, 2023 to July 30, 2025), Dubuque Specialty Care had 23 health citations; the most serious was level G (actual harm to residents). 2 of them were level G or higher (actual harm or immediate jeopardy). It was fined $53,372 in total (1 fine, the latest on July 15, 2024) and had 1 Medicare payment denial. Nurse staffing is 3.20 hours per resident per day; the Iowa average is 3.86 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: July 30, 2025 — 8 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: July 30, 2025 (standard health inspection).
Show 8 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0865 Level F
“Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.”
F0644 Level D
“Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.”
F0657 Level D
“Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.”
F0725 Level D
“Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.”
F0740 Level D
“Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.”
F0760 Level D
“Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.”
F0812 Level D
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
Previous cycle: July 15, 2024 — 14 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: July 15, 2024 (standard health inspection); July 30, 2025 (complaint investigation).
F0686 Level G
“Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.”
actual harm to residents; isolated (a few residents) · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Show 13 less serious citations (levels A to F)
F0658 Level E
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
F0725 Level E
“Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.”
F0812 Level E
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0550 Level D
“Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.”
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.”
F0584 Level D
“Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.”
F0657 Level D
“Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.”
F0684 Level D
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
F0689 Level D
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0919 Level D
“Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.”
F0623 Level B
“Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.”
F0625 Level B
“Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.”
Earlier cycle: May 4, 2023 — 1 health citation
Inspections in this cycle: May 4, 2023 (standard health inspection); October 24, 2023 (complaint investigation); July 15, 2024 (complaint investigation).
F0689 Level G
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
actual harm to residents; isolated (a few residents) · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
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 (15)
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0363 Level F
“Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.”
E0039 Level F
“Conduct testing and exercise requirements.”
E0041 Level F
“Implement emergency and standby power systems.”
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0918 Level F
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
K0223 Level E
“Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.”
K0321 Level D
“Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.”
K0324 Level F
“Provide properly protected cooking facilities.”
K0345 Level F
“Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.”
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0918 Level F
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
K0223 Level E
“Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.”
K0321 Level E
“Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.”
K0511 Level D
“Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.”
Fines and payment denials
Total fines over about the last three years: $53,372 (1 fine). A payment denial means Medicare stopped paying for new admissions for a time.
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| July 15, 2024 | Fine | $53,372 |
| July 15, 2024 | Payment denial | from August 7, 2024, 16 days |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Penalties file, data updated October 1, 2026.
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 | Iowa | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 0.63 | 0.74 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.44 | 0.56 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 2.13 | 2.56 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 3.20 | 3.86 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 2.79 | 3.38 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.28 | 0.51 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 62.3% | 44.1% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 62.5% | 42.1% | 42.5% |
| Administrators who left in the last year | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.
Owners and operator
Part of a group of 43 nursing homes: Care Initiatives.
Legal business name: Care Initiatives.
Owners and managers Medicare lists (1)
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Care Initiatives | Direct owner | 100% | September 1, 2009 |
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 | 84 |
| Average residents per day | 48.3 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | Non-profit – corporation |
| Group or chain (affiliated entity) | Care Initiatives |
| Legal business name | Care Initiatives |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 1994-05-01 |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 2935 Kaufmann Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001 |
| County | Dubuque County |
| State | Iowa |
| Phone | (563) 556‑0673 |
| CMS Certification Number | 165228 |
| 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.
Other nursing homes nearby
By straight-line distance (not driving distance).
- Luther Manor at Hillcrest0.7 mi · Dubuque, IA · 1 of 5 stars
- Ennoble Nursing and Rehab0.9 mi · Dubuque, IA · 5 of 5 stars
- Harmony Dubuque2.3 mi · Dubuque, IA · 2 of 5 stars
- Grand Meadows Senior Living & Health Care2.3 mi · Asbury, IA · 2 of 5 stars
- Stonehill Care Center2.4 mi · Dubuque, IA · 5 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center2.3 mi · Dubuque, IA · Acute Care Hospital
- Finley Hospital2.5 mi · Dubuque, IA · Acute Care Hospital
- Midwest Medical Center18 mi · Galena, IL · 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