Worth Considering
2
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Iowa City, Iowa
2 of 3 nursing homes in Iowa City (67%) meet our strict criteria. The Iowa statewide average is 29%.
2 recommended · 0 caution · 1 avoid · data
City Average
3.7
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
221
across 3 facilities
High Risk Facilities
1
1 Grade F
$16,331 in combined fines
Zero Fines
2
/3
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 2?
The nursing home market in Iowa City is adequate, with a total of three facilities and two recommended options (67%). Families should note that while Oaknoll Retirement Residence stands out with a 5★ rating, one facility has incurred a total of $16,331 in fines, warranting caution.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 Oaknoll Retirement Residence (90) — Top-rated 5★ facility with an A grade and zero federal fines. Oaknoll Retirement Residence, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to community-focused care, providing a Trust Score of 90/100 and ensuring a supportive environment for its 70 residents.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 2 Briarwood Healthcare Center (80) — Briarwood Healthcare Center boasts a solid CMS 4★ rating and a B+ grade, indicating a commitment to quality care. With a Trust Score of 80/100 and zero fines, this for-profit facility offers a reliable option for its 62 residents.
The other 1 Iowa City facility didn't qualify — 1 carries Grade D or F ratings and 1 has fines totaling $16K.
Recommended
Top-rated 5★ facility with an A grade and zero federal fines. Oaknoll Retirement Residence, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to community-focused care, providing a Trust Score of 90/100 and ensuring a supportive environment for its 70 residents.
Briarwood Healthcare Center boasts a solid CMS 4★ rating and a B+ grade, indicating a commitment to quality care. With a Trust Score of 80/100 and zero fines, this for-profit facility offers a reliable option for its 62 residents.
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Iowa City Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 3.7 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 1?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 1 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 1 Have fines totaling $16,331
Questions Iowa City Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Iowa City's city average is 3.7 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
1 of 3 Iowa City facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Iowa City avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Iowa City 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 Iowa City, IA are recommended?
2 of 3 nursing homes in Iowa City (67%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Iowa City "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 Iowa City?
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.