Quick answers
- Where is Orchards at Tulare?
- 604 E. Merritt Ave., Tulare, CA 93274, in Tulare County, California.
- What is the phone number of Orchards at Tulare?
- (559) 686-1601, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Orchards at Tulare?
- Medicare overall rating: 2 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Orchards at Tulare been fined?
- Medicare lists 1 fine totaling $68,938.
- What did inspectors find at Orchards at Tulare?
- In its last three inspection cycles (May 27, 2021 to August 7, 2026), Medicare lists 87 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 (May 27, 2021 to August 7, 2026), Orchards at Tulare had 87 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). It was fined $68,938 in total (1 fine, the latest on October 17, 2024). Nurse staffing is 5.39 hours per resident per day; the California average is 4.54 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: May 8, 2025 — 23 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: May 8, 2025 (standard health inspection); November 24, 2025 (complaint investigation); February 26, 2026 (complaint investigation); March 3, 2026 (complaint investigation); March 9, 2026 (complaint investigation); June 29, 2026 (complaint investigation); July 6, 2026 (complaint investigation); August 7, 2026 (complaint investigation).
Show 23 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.”
F0584 Level E
“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.”
F0692 Level E
“Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.”
F0684 Level D
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
F0921 Level D
“Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.”
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.”
F0658 Level D
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
F0689 Level D
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
F0573 Level D
“Let each resident or the resident's legal representative access or purchase copies of all the resident's records.”
F0689 Level D
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
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.”
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.”
F0697 Level D
“Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.”
F0755 Level D
“Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.”
F0759 Level D
“Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.”
F0803 Level D
“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.”
F0807 Level D
“Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides drinks consistent with resident needs and preferences and sufficient to maintain resident hydration.”
F0842 Level D
“Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
Previous cycle: April 18, 2024 — 40 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: April 18, 2024 (standard health inspection); October 17, 2024 (complaint investigation); October 18, 2024 (complaint investigation); October 24, 2024 (complaint investigation); November 15, 2024 (complaint investigation); December 2, 2024 (complaint investigation); December 11, 2024 (complaint investigation); January 16, 2025 (complaint investigation); March 6, 2025 (complaint investigation); March 26, 2025 (complaint investigation); April 10, 2025 (complaint investigation).
F0600 Level G
“Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.”
actual harm to residents; isolated (a few residents) · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Show 39 less serious citations (levels A to F)
F0880 Level F
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0803 Level E
“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.”
F0552 Level E
“Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.”
F0558 Level E
“Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.”
F0578 Level E
“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.”
F0655 Level E
“Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted”
F0726 Level E
“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.”
F0812 Level E
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0837 Level E
“Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.”
F0847 Level E
“Inform resident or representatives choice to enter into binding arbitration agreement and right to refuse.”
F0658 Level D
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
F0837 Level D
“Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.”
F0658 Level D
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
F0842 Level D
“Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.”
F0745 Level D
“Provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.”
F0837 Level D
“Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.”
F0658 Level D
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
F0684 Level D
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
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.”
F0661 Level D
“Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.”
F0658 Level D
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
F0677 Level D
“Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.”
F0679 Level D
“Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.”
F0685 Level D
“Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.”
F0686 Level D
“Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.”
F0688 Level D
“Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.”
F0698 Level D
“Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.”
F0700 Level D
“Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.”
F0710 Level D
“Obtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care.”
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.”
F0790 Level D
“Provide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.”
F0805 Level D
“Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.”
F0867 Level D
“Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.”
F0881 Level D
“Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.”
F0883 Level D
“Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.”
F0921 Level D
“Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.”
Earlier cycle: May 27, 2021 — 24 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: May 27, 2021 (standard health inspection); October 10, 2023 (complaint investigation); November 13, 2023 (complaint investigation); November 28, 2023 (complaint investigation); December 21, 2023 (complaint investigation); January 24, 2024 (complaint investigation); January 30, 2024 (complaint investigation); February 13, 2024 (complaint investigation); April 9, 2024 (complaint investigation); May 29, 2024 (complaint investigation); August 22, 2024 (complaint investigation).
Show 24 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.”
F0580 Level E
“Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.”
F0837 Level E
“Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.”
F0803 Level E
“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.”
F0806 Level E
“Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.”
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.”
F0770 Level D
“Provide timely, quality laboratory services/tests to meet the needs of residents.”
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.”
F0573 Level D
“Let each resident or the resident's legal representative access or purchase copies of all the resident's records.”
F0607 Level D
“Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.”
F0726 Level D
“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.”
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.”
F0689 Level D
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
F0842 Level D
“Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0658 Level D
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
F0582 Level D
“Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.”
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.”
F0677 Level D
“Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.”
F0688 Level D
“Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.”
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.”
F0804 Level D
“Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.”
F0809 Level D
“Ensure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.”
F0842 Level D
“Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.”
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 (28)
K0914 Level F
“Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.”
K0918 Level F
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
K0926 Level F
“Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk.”
K0920 Level E
“Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.”
K0324 Level D
“Provide properly protected cooking facilities.”
K0342 Level D
“Have a complete alarm system manually initiated and initiated by fire sprinkler system connection.”
K0344 Level D
“Have an alternate power supply for its alarm system.”
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.”
K0918 Level F
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
E0004 Level D
“Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).”
E0030 Level D
“List the names and contact information of those in the facility.”
E0039 Level D
“Conduct testing and exercise requirements.”
K0161 Level D
“Use approved construction type or materials.”
K0324 Level D
“Provide properly protected cooking facilities.”
K0353 Level D
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0363 Level D
“Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.”
K0712 Level D
“Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.”
K0781 Level D
“Have restrictions on the use of portable space heaters.”
K0919 Level D
“Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.”
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.”
K0321 Level D
“Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.”
K0363 Level D
“Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.”
K0712 Level D
“Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.”
K0920 Level D
“Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.”
K0926 Level D
“Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk.”
E0004 Level C
“Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).”
E0006 Level C
“Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach.”
E0030 Level C
“List the names and contact information of those in the facility.”
Fines and payment denials
Total fines over about the last three years: $68,938 (1 fine). A payment denial means Medicare stopped paying for new admissions for a time.
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| October 17, 2024 | Fine | $68,938 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Penalties file, data updated October 1, 2026.
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 | California | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 0.47 | 0.68 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 1.28 | 1.20 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 3.64 | 2.66 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 5.39 | 4.54 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 4.71 | 4.10 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.30 | 0.52 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 44.5% | 36.6% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 66.7% | 37.8% | 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 16 nursing homes: Ajc Healthcare.
Legal business name: Orchards at Tulare LLC.
Owners and managers Medicare lists (2)
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWC Ca Opco 2 LLC | Direct owner | 100% | May 1, 2022 |
| Ajc Healthcare LLC | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | May 1, 2022 |
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 | 99 |
| Average residents per day | 91.4 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | For profit – limited liability company |
| Group or chain (affiliated entity) | Ajc Healthcare |
| Legal business name | Orchards at Tulare LLC |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 1974-01-17 |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 604 E. Merritt Ave., Tulare, CA 93274 |
| County | Tulare County |
| State | California |
| Phone | (559) 686‑1601 |
| CMS Certification Number | 056261 |
| Name in Medicare records | ORCHARDS AT TULARE |
| 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).
- Tulare Healthcare & Wellness Center, LP0.0 mi · Tulare, CA · 2 of 5 stars
- Grand Oaks Care0.1 mi · Tulare, CA · 3 of 5 stars
- Westgate Gardens Care Center6.8 mi · Visalia, CA · 4 of 5 stars
- Sequoia Vista6.8 mi · Visalia, CA · 1 of 5 stars
- Linwood Meadows Care Center6.9 mi · Visalia, CA · 3 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- Adventist Health Tulare3.8 mi · Tulare, CA · Acute Care Hospital
- Kaweah Health Medical Center7.7 mi · Visalia, CA · Acute Care Hospital
- Adventist Health Hanford16 mi · Hanford, CA · 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