Quick answers
- Where is Hill Top House?
- 505 W Elm, Bucklin, KS 67834, in Ford County, Kansas.
- What is the phone number of Hill Top House?
- (620) 826-3202, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Hill Top House?
- Medicare overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Hill Top House been fined?
- Medicare lists no fines for Hill Top House.
- What did inspectors find at Hill Top House?
- In its last three inspection cycles (August 2, 2021 to November 20, 2024), Medicare lists 15 health citations; the most serious was level G. 1 was 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 (August 2, 2021 to November 20, 2024), Hill Top House had 15 health citations; the most serious was level G (actual harm to residents). 1 of them was level G or higher (actual harm or immediate jeopardy). Medicare lists no fines or payment denials for it in the last three years. Nurse staffing is 4.66 hours per resident per day; the Kansas average is 4.13 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: November 20, 2024 — 6 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: November 20, 2024 (standard health inspection).
Show 6 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0726 Level F
“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.”
F0851 Level F
“Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.”
F0880 Level F
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0655 Level D
“Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted”
F0758 Level D
“Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.”
F0849 Level D
“Arrange for the provision of hospice services or assist the resident in transferring to a facility that will arrange for the provision of hospice services.”
Previous cycle: February 15, 2023 — 2 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: February 15, 2023 (standard health inspection); November 20, 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
Show 1 less serious citation (levels A to F)
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.”
Earlier cycle: August 2, 2021 — 7 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: August 2, 2021 (standard health inspection).
Show 7 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0838 Level F
“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.”
F0585 Level E
“Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.”
F0550 Level D
“Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.”
F0656 Level D
“Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.”
F0661 Level D
“Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.”
F0695 Level D
“Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.”
F0882 Level C
“Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.”
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 (6)
E0004 Level F
“Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).”
K0321 Level F
“Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.”
K0901 Level F
“Ensure that building systems meet requirements determined by risk assessment procedures performed by qualified personnel.”
K0926 Level F
“Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk.”
K0753 Level D
“Have restrictions on the use of highly flammable decorations.”
K0712 Level F
“Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.”
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 | Kansas | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 1.08 | 0.73 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.24 | 0.66 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 3.34 | 2.74 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 4.66 | 4.13 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 4.53 | 3.62 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.91 | 0.51 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 42.4% | 48.0% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 0.0% | 42.6% | 42.5% |
| Administrators who left in the last year | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.
Owners and operator
Legal business name: Bucklin District Hospital.
Owners and managers Medicare lists (1)
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bucklin District Hospital | Direct owner | 100% | June 1, 1966 |
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 | 29 |
| Average residents per day | 22.3 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | Government – hospital district |
| Legal business name | Bucklin District Hospital |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 2008-01-01 |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 505 W Elm, Bucklin, KS 67834 |
| County | Ford County |
| State | Kansas |
| Phone | (620) 826‑3202 |
| CMS Certification Number | 175500 |
| Name in Medicare records | HILL TOP HOUSE |
| 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).
- Minneola District Hospital Ltcu22 mi · Minneola, KS · 1 of 5 stars
- Southwind at Spearville22 mi · Spearville, KS · 5 of 5 stars
- Sunporch of Dodge City25 mi · Dodge City, KS · 3 of 5 stars
- Kansas Soldiers Home25 mi · Fort Dodge, KS · 3 of 5 stars
- Manor of the Plains26 mi · Dodge City, KS · 3 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- Kiowa County Memorial Hospital19 mi · Greensburg, KS · Critical Access Hospital
- Minneola District Hospital22 mi · Minneola, KS · Critical Access Hospital
- Comanche County Hospital26 mi · Coldwater, KS · 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