Quick answers
- Where is Traverse Care Center?
- 303 Seventh Street South, Wheaton, MN 56296, in Traverse County, Minnesota.
- What is the phone number of Traverse Care Center?
- (320) 563-8124, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Traverse Care Center?
- Medicare overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Traverse Care Center been fined?
- Medicare lists no fines for Traverse Care Center.
- What did inspectors find at Traverse Care Center?
- In its last three inspection cycles (October 30, 2024 to July 27, 2026), Medicare lists 11 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 (October 30, 2024 to July 27, 2026), Traverse Care Center had 11 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 3.83 hours per resident per day; the Minnesota average is 4.27 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: January 14, 2026 — 4 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: January 14, 2026 (standard health inspection); July 27, 2026 (complaint investigation).
Show 4 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0609 Level D
“Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.”
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.”
F0554 Level D
“Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.”
Previous cycle: October 30, 2024 — 7 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: October 30, 2024 (standard health inspection); May 29, 2025 (complaint investigation).
Show 7 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0880 Level F
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0635 Level D
“Provide doctor's orders for the resident's immediate care at the time the resident was admitted.”
F0609 Level D
“Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.”
F0658 Level D
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
F0686 Level D
“Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.”
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.”
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 (9)
K0923 Level F
“Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.”
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.”
K0324 Level D
“Provide properly protected cooking facilities.”
K0353 Level D
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0754 Level D
“Provide properly sized and located linen or trash receptacles.”
K0712 Level C
“Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.”
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.”
K0511 Level E
“Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.”
K0712 Level D
“Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.”
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 | Minnesota | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 1.07 | 1.08 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.31 | 0.61 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 2.44 | 2.58 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 3.83 | 4.27 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 3.34 | 3.73 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.54 | 0.71 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 70.5% | 42.1% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 83.3% | 39.3% | 42.5% |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.
Owners and operator
Legal business name: Minnewaska Community Homecare LLC.
Owners and managers Medicare lists (2)
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnewaska Lutheran Home | Direct owner | 100% | August 2, 2019 |
| Minnewaska Lutheran Home | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | August 2, 2019 |
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 | 44 |
| Average residents per day | 30.3 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | Non-profit – church related |
| Legal business name | Minnewaska Community Homecare LLC |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 2024-11-13 |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 303 Seventh Street South, Wheaton, MN 56296 |
| County | Traverse County |
| State | Minnesota |
| Phone | (320) 563‑8124 |
| CMS Certification Number | 245638 |
| Name in Medicare records | TRAVERSE CARE CENTER |
| 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).
- Essentia Health Grace Home17 mi · Graceville, MN · 5 of 5 stars
- Browns Valley Health Center22 mi · Browns Valley, MN · 3 of 5 stars
- St Gerard's Community of Care27 mi · Hankinson, ND · 2 of 5 stars
- Tekakwitha Living Center28 mi · Sisseton, SD · 2 of 5 stars
- Barrett Care Center Inc30 mi · Barrett, MN · 5 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- Sanford Wheaton Medical Center0.6 mi · Wheaton, MN · Critical Access Hospital
- Essentia Health Holy Trinity Hospital17 mi · Graceville, MN · Critical Access Hospital
- Prairie Ridge Hospital and Health Services28 mi · Elbow Lake, MN · 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