Quick answers
- Where is The Highlands?
- 607 Highland Drive, Decorah, IA 52101, in Winneshiek County, Iowa.
- What is the phone number of The Highlands?
- (563) 382-3603, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of The Highlands?
- Medicare overall rating: 2 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has The Highlands been fined?
- Medicare lists 2 fines totaling $93,839 and 1 payment denial.
- What did inspectors find at The Highlands?
- In its last three inspection cycles (February 7, 2024 to July 22, 2026), Medicare lists 26 health citations; the most serious was level J. 3 were 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 (February 7, 2024 to July 22, 2026), The Highlands had 26 health citations; the most serious was level J (immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety). 3 of them were level G or higher (actual harm or immediate jeopardy). It was fined $93,839 in total (2 fines, the latest on December 9, 2024) and had 1 Medicare payment denial. Nurse staffing is 3.96 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: July 22, 2026 — 5 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: June 18, 2026 (complaint investigation); July 22, 2026 (standard health inspection).
Show 5 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0812 Level E
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
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.”
F0637 Level D
“Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition”
F0644 Level D
“Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.”
F0689 Level D
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
Previous cycle: June 12, 2025 — 6 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: December 9, 2024 (complaint investigation); June 12, 2025 (standard health inspection); September 23, 2025 (complaint investigation).
F0684 Level J
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety; isolated (a few residents) · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Show 5 less serious citations (levels A to F)
F0550 Level E
“Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.”
F0923 Level E
“Have enough outside ventilation via a window or mechanical ventilation, or both.”
F0582 Level D
“Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.”
F0943 Level D
“Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.”
F0641 Level B
“Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.”
Earlier cycle: July 25, 2024 — 15 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: February 7, 2024 (complaint investigation); July 25, 2024 (standard health inspection); September 25, 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
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 13 less serious citations (levels A to F)
F0800 Level E
“Provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs.”
F0802 Level E
“Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.”
F0812 Level E
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
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.”
F0684 Level D
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
F0644 Level D
“Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.”
F0684 Level D
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
F0550 Level D
“Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.”
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.”
F0641 Level D
“Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.”
F0658 Level D
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
F0677 Level D
“Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.”
F0801 Level C
“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.”
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)
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.”
K0346 Level F
“Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.”
K0354 Level F
“Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.”
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.”
K0711 Level E
“Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.”
E0029 Level F
“Develop a communication plan.”
E0039 Level F
“Conduct testing and exercise requirements.”
K0291 Level F
“Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.”
K0345 Level F
“Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.”
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0354 Level F
“Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.”
K0711 Level F
“Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.”
K0712 Level F
“Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.”
E0004 Level F
“Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).”
E0006 Level F
“Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach.”
E0026 Level F
“Establish roles under a Waiver declared by secretary.”
E0030 Level F
“List the names and contact information of those in the facility.”
E0039 Level F
“Conduct testing and exercise requirements.”
K0291 Level F
“Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.”
K0345 Level F
“Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.”
K0347 Level F
“Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.”
K0354 Level F
“Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.”
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.”
K0921 Level F
“Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.”
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.”
K0761 Level D
“To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.”
Fines and payment denials
Total fines over about the last three years: $93,839 (2 fines). A payment denial means Medicare stopped paying for new admissions for a time.
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| December 9, 2024 | Fine | $50,211 |
| July 25, 2024 | Fine | $43,628 |
| July 25, 2024 | Payment denial | from August 21, 2024, 10 days |
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 | Iowa | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 0.49 | 0.74 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.70 | 0.56 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 2.77 | 2.56 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 3.96 | 3.86 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 3.62 | 3.38 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.32 | 0.51 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 56.9% | 44.1% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 40.0% | 42.1% | 42.5% |
| Administrators who left in the last year | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.
Owners and operator
Legal business name: Aase Haugen Homes, Inc..
Owners and managers Medicare lists (1)
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuum Health Care Services LLC | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | January 17, 2013 |
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 | 86 |
| Average residents per day | 74.2 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | Non-profit – corporation |
| Legal business name | Aase Haugen Homes, Inc. |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 1993-01-01 |
| Part of a continuing care retirement community | Yes |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 607 Highland Drive, Decorah, IA 52101 |
| County | Winneshiek County |
| State | Iowa |
| Phone | (563) 382‑3603 |
| CMS Certification Number | 165178 |
| 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).
- Wellington Place2.9 mi · Decorah, IA · 5 of 5 stars
- Ossian Care Center12 mi · Ossian, IA · 3 of 5 stars
- Green Lea Senior Living13 mi · Mabel, MN · 1 of 5 stars
- Northgate Care Center16 mi · Waukon, IA · 1 of 5 stars
- Good Samaritan - Waukon16 mi · Waukon, IA · 2 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- Winnmed2.2 mi · Decorah, IA · Critical Access Hospital
- Veterans Memorial Hospital16 mi · Waukon, IA · Critical Access Hospital
- Regional Health Services of Howard County17 mi · Cresco, IA · 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