Quick answers
- Where is Eckerd Living Center?
- 250 Hospital Drive, Highlands, NC 28741, in Macon County, North Carolina.
- What is the phone number of Eckerd Living Center?
- (828) 526-1315, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Eckerd Living Center?
- Medicare overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Eckerd Living Center been fined?
- Medicare lists no fines for Eckerd Living Center.
- What did inspectors find at Eckerd Living Center?
- In its last three inspection cycles (September 28, 2023 to April 10, 2026), Medicare lists 7 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 (September 28, 2023 to April 10, 2026), Eckerd Living Center had 7 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 4.46 hours per resident per day; the North Carolina average is 3.87 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: April 10, 2026 — 4 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: April 10, 2026 (standard health inspection).
Show 4 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0552 Level D
“Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.”
F0628 Level D
“Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.”
F0645 Level D
“PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities”
F0712 Level D
“Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.”
Previous cycle: February 19, 2025 — 2 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: February 19, 2025 (standard health inspection).
Show 2 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0812 Level F
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0814 Level E
“Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.”
Earlier cycle: September 28, 2023 — 1 health citation
Inspections in this cycle: September 28, 2023 (standard health inspection).
Show 1 citation (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0851 Level F
“Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.”
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 (12)
K0222 Level D
“Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.”
K0353 Level D
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0372 Level D
“Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.”
K0511 Level D
“Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.”
K0521 Level D
“Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.”
K0918 Level D
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
K0923 Level D
“Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.”
K0352 Level D
“Properly install and monitor supervisory attachments on automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0353 Level D
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0521 Level D
“Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.”
K0353 Level D
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
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 | North Carolina | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 1.08 | 0.62 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.76 | 0.88 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 2.63 | 2.37 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 4.46 | 3.87 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 3.66 | 3.40 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.53 | 0.41 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 44.2% | 48.7% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 10.0% | 45.7% | 42.5% |
| Administrators who left in the last year | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.5 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.
Owners and operator
Part of a group of 3 nursing homes: HCA Healthcare.
Legal business name: Legal Business Name Not Available.
Compare with other nursing homes
Key facts
| Type | Nursing home |
|---|---|
| Certified beds | 80 |
| Average residents per day | 48.6 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | For profit – partnership |
| Group or chain (affiliated entity) | HCA Healthcare |
| Legal business name | Legal Business Name Not Available |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 1993-04-28 |
| Located inside a hospital | Yes |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 250 Hospital Drive, Highlands, NC 28741 |
| County | Macon County |
| State | North Carolina |
| Phone | (828) 526‑1315 |
| CMS Certification Number | 345437 |
| 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).
- Macon Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center15 mi · Franklin, NC · 3 of 5 stars
- Mountain View Health Care18 mi · Clayton, GA · 1 of 5 stars
- Skyland Care Center20 mi · Sylva, NC · 4 of 5 stars
- Vero Health & Rehab of Sylva20 mi · Sylva, NC · 1 of 5 stars
- PruittHealth - Pickens26 mi · SIX Mile, SC · 5 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- Highlands Cashiers Hospital0.0 mi · Highlands, NC · Critical Access Hospital
- Angel Medical Center16 mi · Franklin, NC · Critical Access Hospital
- Mountain Lakes Medical Center16 mi · Clayton, GA · 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