Quick answers
- Where is Hilltop Estates?
- 2520 Avenue M, Gothenburg, NE 69138, in Dawson County, Nebraska.
- What is the phone number of Hilltop Estates?
- (308) 537-7138, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Hilltop Estates?
- Medicare overall rating: 3 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Hilltop Estates been fined?
- Medicare lists no fines for Hilltop Estates.
- What did inspectors find at Hilltop Estates?
- In its last three inspection cycles (March 21, 2024 to June 16, 2026), Medicare lists 15 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 (March 21, 2024 to June 16, 2026), Hilltop Estates had 15 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 4.22 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: June 16, 2026 — 8 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: June 16, 2026 (standard health inspection).
Show 8 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0803 Level F
“Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.”
F0812 Level F
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0552 Level E
“Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.”
F0637 Level D
“Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition”
F0641 Level D
“Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.”
F0684 Level D
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
F0755 Level D
“Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
Previous cycle: March 18, 2025 — 4 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: March 18, 2025 (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.”
F0740 Level D
“Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.”
F0759 Level D
“Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.”
Earlier cycle: March 21, 2024 — 3 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: March 21, 2024 (standard health inspection).
Show 3 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.”
F0582 Level D
“Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.”
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)
K0911 Level F
“Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.”
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.”
K0355 Level E
“Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.”
E0041 Level F
“Implement emergency and standby power systems.”
K0324 Level F
“Provide properly protected cooking facilities.”
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0712 Level F
“Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.”
K0918 Level F
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
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.”
K0923 Level E
“Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.”
K0363 Level D
“Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.”
K0920 Level D
“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 | 0.88 | 0.69 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.53 | 0.68 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 2.81 | 2.75 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 4.22 | 4.12 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 3.47 | 3.57 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.60 | 0.48 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 43.4% | 48.5% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 14.3% | 43.5% | 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
Legal business name: K C Health Care Enterprises Inc.
Owners and managers Medicare lists (7)
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| K C Health Care Enterprises Inc | Direct owner | — | February 15, 1995 |
| Bartruff, Craig | Direct owner | — | October 19, 2009 |
| Family Physical Therapy & Sports Center | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | December 1, 2021 |
| Flatwater Bank | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | January 1, 1995 |
| Key Rehabilitation Inc | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | January 1, 2024 |
| Luminate HCC LLC | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | December 1, 2023 |
| S. Douglas Kucera, Cpa | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | January 1, 2005 |
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 | 64 |
| Average residents per day | 40.9 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | For profit – corporation |
| Legal business name | K C Health Care Enterprises Inc |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 1995-07-02 |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 2520 Avenue M, Gothenburg, NE 69138 |
| County | Dawson County |
| State | Nebraska |
| Phone | (308) 537‑7138 |
| CMS Certification Number | 285163 |
| 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).
- Emerald Nursing & Rehab Cozad9.9 mi · Cozad, NE · 1 of 5 stars
- Callaway Good Life Center, Inc27 mi · Callaway, NE · 1 of 5 stars
- Elwood Care Center29 mi · Elwood, NE · 5 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- Gothenburg Health0.4 mi · Gothenburg, NE · Critical Access Hospital
- Cozad Community Hospital10 mi · Cozad, NE · Critical Access Hospital
- Lexington Regional Health Center23 mi · Lexington, 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