Quick answers
- Where is Northcrest Specialty Care?
- 2001Health Street, Waterloo, IA 50703, in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
- What is the phone number of Northcrest Specialty Care?
- (319) 234-4423, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Northcrest Specialty Care?
- Medicare overall rating: 2 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Northcrest Specialty Care been fined?
- Medicare lists no fines for Northcrest Specialty Care.
- What did inspectors find at Northcrest Specialty Care?
- In its last three inspection cycles (January 30, 2024 to August 17, 2026), Medicare lists 33 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 (January 30, 2024 to August 17, 2026), Northcrest Specialty Care had 33 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 3.46 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: February 12, 2026 — 11 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: February 12, 2026 (complaint investigation); February 12, 2026 (standard health inspection); August 17, 2026 (complaint investigation).
Show 11 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0919 Level E
“Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.”
F0550 Level D
“Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.”
F0554 Level D
“Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.”
F0689 Level D
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
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.”
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.”
F0636 Level D
“Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.”
F0640 Level D
“Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.”
F0641 Level D
“Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0926 Level D
“Have policies on smoking.”
Previous cycle: January 30, 2025 — 9 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: October 1, 2024 (complaint investigation); January 30, 2025 (standard health inspection); June 4, 2025 (complaint investigation).
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 8 less serious citations (levels A to F)
F0812 Level E
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0880 Level E
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0677 Level D
“Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.”
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.”
F0692 Level D
“Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.”
F0883 Level D
“Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.”
F0887 Level D
“Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.”
Earlier cycle: January 30, 2024 — 13 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: January 30, 2024 (complaint investigation); January 30, 2024 (standard health inspection); April 11, 2024 (complaint investigation).
Show 13 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0565 Level E
“Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.”
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.”
F0677 Level E
“Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.”
F0801 Level E
“Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.”
F0919 Level E
“Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.”
F0697 Level D
“Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.”
F0550 Level D
“Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.”
F0578 Level D
“Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.”
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.”
F0636 Level D
“Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.”
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.”
F0689 Level D
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
F0641 Level B
“Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.”
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 (17)
K0271 Level F
“Have exits that are accessible at all times.”
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
E0004 Level F
“Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).”
E0006 Level F
“Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach.”
E0007 Level F
“Address patient/client population and determine types of services needed.”
E0013 Level F
“Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.”
E0015 Level F
“Address subsistence needs for staff and patients.”
E0018 Level F
“Establish procedures for tracking staff and patients during an emergency.”
E0020 Level F
“Establish policies and procedures including evacuation.”
E0031 Level F
“Provide emergency officials' contact information.”
E0032 Level F
“Provide primary/alternate means for communication.”
E0036 Level F
“Establish emergency prep training and testing.”
E0039 Level F
“Conduct testing and exercise requirements.”
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0741 Level F
“Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.”
K0761 Level F
“To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.”
K0918 Level F
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
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 | 0.62 | 0.74 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.65 | 0.56 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 2.18 | 2.56 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 3.46 | 3.86 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 3.21 | 3.38 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.34 | 0.51 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 42.5% | 44.1% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 52.9% | 42.1% | 42.5% |
| Administrators who left in the last year | 0.0 | 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% | August 1, 2012 |
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 | 94 |
| Average residents per day | 87.5 |
| 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 | 1992-02-01 |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 2001Health Street, Waterloo, IA 50703 |
| County | Black Hawk County |
| State | Iowa |
| Phone | (319) 234‑4423 |
| CMS Certification Number | 165165 |
| 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).
- Harmony Waterloo3.7 mi · Waterloo, IA · 1 of 5 stars
- Ravenwood Specialty Care3.9 mi · Waterloo, IA · 1 of 5 stars
- Friendship Village Retirement3.9 mi · Waterloo, IA · 3 of 5 stars
- Pillar of Cedar Valley4.5 mi · Waterloo, IA · 1 of 5 stars
- Pinnacle Specialty Care6.0 mi · Cedar Falls, IA · 2 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- Allen Hospital1.2 mi · Waterloo, IA · Acute Care Hospital
- MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center3.7 mi · Waterloo, IA · Acute Care Hospital
- Sartori Memorial Hospital, Inc7.0 mi · Cedar Falls, IA · Acute Care 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