Worth Considering
3
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
3 of 9 nursing homes in Cedar Rapids (33%) meet our strict criteria. The Iowa statewide average is 29%.
3 recommended · 1 caution · 5 avoid · data
City Average
2.9
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
770
across 9 facilities
High Risk Facilities
5
5 Grade F
$235,560 in combined fines
Zero Fines
4
/9
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 3?
The nursing home market in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is adequate but has notable concerns, with 5 of the 9 facilities in the avoid tier due to $235,560 in total fines. Families should consider the top-rated Meth-Wick Health Center, but should be cautious about the overall quality of care available.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 Meth-Wick Health Center (93) — Meth-Wick Health Center shines with a stellar 5★ CMS rating and an impressive Trust Score of 93/100. As a non-profit facility, it emphasizes community-focused care, making it a top choice with an A grade and no fines, ensuring residents receive outstanding support in a nurturing environment.
- 2 West Ridge Care Center (93) — West Ridge Care Center boasts a remarkable 5★ CMS rating and a Trust Score of 93/100, reflecting its commitment to high-quality care. With an A grade and zero fines, this for-profit facility excels in providing a comfortable and supportive atmosphere for its 60 residents.
- 3 St Luke's Helen G Nassif Transitional Care Center (90) — St Luke's Helen G Nassif Transitional Care Center stands out with a 5★ CMS rating and a solid Trust Score of 90/100. As a non-profit corporation, it focuses on community-driven care, earning an A grade and maintaining a fine-free record, making it an excellent option for transitional support.
The other 6 Cedar Rapids facilities didn't qualify — 5 carry Grade D or F ratings and 5 have fines totaling $235K.
Recommended
Meth-Wick Health Center shines with a stellar 5★ CMS rating and an impressive Trust Score of 93/100. As a non-profit facility, it emphasizes community-focused care, making it a top choice with an A grade and no fines, ensuring residents receive outstanding support in a nurturing environment.
West Ridge Care Center boasts a remarkable 5★ CMS rating and a Trust Score of 93/100, reflecting its commitment to high-quality care. With an A grade and zero fines, this for-profit facility excels in providing a comfortable and supportive atmosphere for its 60 residents.
St Luke's Helen G Nassif Transitional Care Center stands out with a 5★ CMS rating and a solid Trust Score of 90/100. As a non-profit corporation, it focuses on community-driven care, earning an A grade and maintaining a fine-free record, making it an excellent option for transitional support.
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 | Cedar Rapids Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 2.9 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 6?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 5 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 5 Have fines totaling $235,560
- Low-scoring facilities
- 1 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 1 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Cedar Rapids Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Cedar Rapids's city average is 2.9 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
5 of 9 Cedar Rapids facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Cedar Rapids avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids, IA are recommended?
3 of 9 nursing homes in Cedar Rapids (33%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Cedar Rapids "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 Cedar Rapids?
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.