Worth Considering
1
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Bellingham, Washington
1 of 6 nursing homes in Bellingham (17%) meet our strict criteria. The Washington statewide average is 29%.
1 recommended · 1 caution · 4 avoid · data
City Average
3.2
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
495
across 6 facilities
High Risk Facilities
4
4 Grade F
$766,046 in combined fines
Zero Fines
1
/6
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why This One?
The nursing home market in Bellingham, Washington, is adequate but presents challenges, with only 1 of 6 facilities recommended. Families should be aware that 4 facilities have a combined total of $712,707 in fines, indicating potential concerns in care quality.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 1 MT BAKER CARE CENTER (88) — MT Baker Care Center stands out with an impressive Trust Score of 88/100 and a 5-star CMS rating, reflecting its commitment to quality care. With no fines and a B+ grade, this for-profit facility effectively balances business with compassionate service, making it a reliable choice for those in need of nursing care.
The other 5 Bellingham facilities didn't qualify — 4 carry Grade D or F ratings and 5 have fines totaling $766K.
Recommended
MT Baker Care Center stands out with an impressive Trust Score of 88/100 and a 5-star CMS rating, reflecting its commitment to quality care. With no fines and a B+ grade, this for-profit facility effectively balances business with compassionate service, making it a reliable choice for those in need of nursing care.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Emergency Fallback
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Bellingham Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 3.2 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 5?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 4 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 5 Have fines totaling $766,046
- Low-scoring facilities
- 1 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 1 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Bellingham Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Bellingham's city average is 3.2 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
5 of 6 Bellingham facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Bellingham avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Bellingham facilities average 0.0 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Houston has strong options, but nearby cities add even more choices
Houston at a Glance
Good News
- 12 facilities meet our strict criteria—20% of the market
- 3 exceptional A-grade facilities with 5-star CMS ratings
- 24 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 30 facilities carry Grade F—nearly half the market
- $3.2M+ in total fines across 37 facilities
- Worst facility has $448,216 in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 48.6 (dragged down by 30 F-grades)
- 82% for-profit, 13% non-profit, 5% government
- 9.4 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in Bellingham, WA are recommended?
1 of 6 nursing homes in Bellingham (17%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Bellingham "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in Bellingham?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.