Worth Considering
2
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Merced, California
2 of 6 nursing homes in Merced (33%) meet our strict criteria. The California statewide average is 29%.
2 recommended · 1 caution · 3 avoid · data
City Average
3.0
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
555
across 6 facilities
High Risk Facilities
3
2 Grade F
$129,770 in combined fines
Zero Fines
3
/6
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 2?
The nursing home market in Merced, California, is adequate but has some concerns, with only 2 out of 6 facilities recommended. Families should be aware that 3 facilities have incurred a total of $129,770 in fines, highlighting the need for careful consideration when choosing a care provider.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 1 MERCED BEHAVIORAL CENTER (83) — MERCED BEHAVIORAL CENTER shines with a stellar 5-star CMS rating and an impressive Trust Score of 83/100. This facility boasts a Grade B+ and has maintained a record of $0 fines, reflecting its commitment to high-quality care in a well-staffed environment with 96 beds, ensuring residents receive the attention they deserve.
Qualified (Grade B, Trust Score 70-79)
- 2 MERCED NURSING & REHABILITATION CTR (70) — MERCED NURSING & REHABILITATION CTR offers a solid 4-star CMS rating and a Trust Score of 70/100, indicating reliable care. With a Grade B and zero fines, this 79-bed facility is dedicated to recovery and rehabilitation, making it a viable choice for those seeking compassionate nursing services.
The other 4 Merced facilities didn't qualify — 3 carry Grade D or F ratings and 3 have fines totaling $129K.
Recommended
MERCED BEHAVIORAL CENTER shines with a stellar 5-star CMS rating and an impressive Trust Score of 83/100. This facility boasts a Grade B+ and has maintained a record of $0 fines, reflecting its commitment to high-quality care in a well-staffed environment with 96 beds, ensuring residents receive the attention they deserve.
MERCED NURSING & REHABILITATION CTR offers a solid 4-star CMS rating and a Trust Score of 70/100, indicating reliable care. With a Grade B and zero fines, this 79-bed facility is dedicated to recovery and rehabilitation, making it a viable choice for those seeking compassionate nursing services.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Best Available Alternative
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Merced Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 3.0 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 4?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 2 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 3 Have fines totaling $129,770
- Low-scoring facilities
- 2 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 1 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Merced Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Merced's city average is 3.0 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
3 of 6 Merced facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Merced avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Merced 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 Merced, CA are recommended?
2 of 6 nursing homes in Merced (33%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Merced "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 Merced?
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.