Quick answers
- Where is Hillcrest Firethorn?
- 8601 Firethorn Lane, Lincoln, NE 68520, in Lancaster County, Nebraska.
- What is the phone number of Hillcrest Firethorn?
- (531) 739-3500, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Hillcrest Firethorn?
- Medicare overall rating: 3 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Hillcrest Firethorn been fined?
- Medicare lists no fines for Hillcrest Firethorn.
- What did inspectors find at Hillcrest Firethorn?
- In its last three inspection cycles (April 11, 2024 to August 6, 2026), 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 (April 11, 2024 to August 6, 2026), Hillcrest Firethorn 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 3.85 hours per resident per day; the Nebraska average is 4.12 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: August 6, 2026 — 5 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: August 6, 2026 (standard health inspection).
Show 5 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0804 Level F
“Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.”
F0552 Level E
“Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.”
F0814 Level E
“Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.”
F0684 Level D
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
Previous cycle: April 1, 2025 — 6 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: February 20, 2025 (complaint investigation); April 1, 2025 (complaint investigation); April 1, 2025 (standard health inspection).
F0684 Level G
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
actual harm to residents; isolated (a few residents) · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Show 5 less serious citations (levels A to F)
F0812 Level F
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0554 Level D
“Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.”
F0761 Level D
“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.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
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.”
Earlier cycle: April 11, 2024 — 4 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: April 11, 2024 (complaint investigation); April 11, 2024 (standard health inspection).
Show 4 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.”
F0880 Level F
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
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.”
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 (20)
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.”
K0324 Level F
“Provide properly protected cooking facilities.”
K0374 Level F
“Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.”
K0500 Level F
“Meet other general requirements that are deficient.”
K0918 Level F
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
K0919 Level F
“Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.”
K0222 Level E
“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.”
K0920 Level E
“Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.”
K0374 Level F
“Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.”
K0920 Level F
“Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.”
K0353 Level E
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0222 Level F
“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.”
K0500 Level F
“Meet other general requirements that are deficient.”
K0711 Level F
“Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.”
K0712 Level F
“Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.”
K0761 Level F
“To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.”
K0921 Level F
“Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.”
K0363 Level E
“Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.”
K0919 Level E
“Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.”
K0920 Level E
“Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.”
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 | Nebraska | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 0.52 | 0.69 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 1.06 | 0.68 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 2.27 | 2.75 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 3.85 | 4.12 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 3.31 | 3.57 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.33 | 0.48 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 34.1% | 48.5% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 33.3% | 43.5% | 42.5% |
| Administrators who left in the last year | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.
Owners and operator
Legal business name: Hillcrest Firethorn, LLC.
Owners and managers Medicare lists (2)
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillcrest Operating Ventures, LLC | Direct owner | 100% | May 9, 2016 |
| Hillcrest Health Systems Inc | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | May 9, 2016 |
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 | 72 |
| Average residents per day | 65.8 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | For profit – corporation |
| Legal business name | Hillcrest Firethorn, LLC |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 2017-12-07 |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 8601 Firethorn Lane, Lincoln, NE 68520 |
| County | Lancaster County |
| State | Nebraska |
| Phone | (531) 739‑3500 |
| CMS Certification Number | 285300 |
| 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).
- Holmes Lake Rehabilitation & Care Center2.4 mi · Lincoln, NE · 2 of 5 stars
- Emerald Nursing & Rehab Brookside LLC2.9 mi · Lincoln, NE · 1 of 5 stars
- St. Jane de Chantal3.0 mi · Lincoln, NE · 4 of 5 stars
- Southlake Village Rehabilitation & Care Center3.1 mi · Lincoln, NE · 5 of 5 stars
- Eastmont3.2 mi · Lincoln, NE · 5 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- CHI Health St. Elizabeth2.7 mi · Lincoln, NE · Acute Care Hospital
- Bryan Medical Center3.4 mi · Lincoln, NE · Acute Care Hospital
- Crete Area Medical Center20 mi · Crete, NE · 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