Nursing Homes in Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City has 3 Medicare-certified nursing homes with 221 beds. The city average CMS rating is 3.7 stars, which is above Iowa's state average of 3.1 stars. 2 facilities earn a B grade or better and are recommended for family consideration.
Compare 3 nursing homes · data
See all 2 recommended nursing homesWorth Considering
2
Facilities graded A or B that meet our quality standards
City Average
+0.61 vs state
Total Beds
221
across 3 facilities
High Risk Facilities
0
0 under CMS review
0 with abuse citations
Nurse Availability
42 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Well Staffed
2
exceed staffing threshold
67% of facilities
Zero Fines
passed all inspections
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Trend
0
improved vs last year
0 declined
Top Rated in Iowa City
Oaknoll Retirement Residence
Explore Nearby Cities
Oaknoll Retirement Residence
★★★★★ · 90/100 · 70 beds
Briarwood Healthcare Center
★★★★★ · 80/100 · 62 beds
Iowa City Rehab & Health Care
★★★★★ · 36/100 · 89 beds
Showing 1–3 of 3 facilities
All 3 Nursing Homes in Iowa City
A-ZWant to learn more about nursing home care in Iowa City?
Fines · Deficiencies · Ownership Data · Quality Comparisons
About Nursing Home Care in Iowa City
When it comes to nursing home care in Iowa City, IA, the options are somewhat limited. While the city boasts an average rating of 3.7 stars, only two out of the three facilities meet our standards for quality care. The standout is Oaknoll Retirement Residence, which has an impressive Grade A and a 5-star CMS rating. Families can find decent care here, but they should be selective as the market has its drawbacks.
If you’re exploring options, start with Oaknoll Retirement Residence for its stellar reputation and clean record with zero fines in the last three years. Another facility worth considering is Briarwood Healthcare Center, which is also well-staffed and boasts a good track record. However, be cautious, as the selection is limited, and families may want to explore nearby cities if they are looking for more diverse options.
On the flip side, skip Iowa City Rehab & Health Care. This facility has a troubling Grade F rating, indicating serious deficiencies that could jeopardize resident care. It’s essential to be vigilant when visiting any nursing home; take the time to ask about staffing levels, care plans, and any recent inspection reports to ensure your loved one will receive the best possible care.
Iowa City at a Glance
Good News
- • 2 facilities with clean records—no fines in 3 years
- • Iowa City rates better than most Iowa cities
- • 1 community-run facility (non-profit)
- • 2 facilities have more nurses than required
Be Aware
- • 1 facility with critical staffing shortages
- • Some facilities have less nurse time than recommended
What's Changing
- → 3 facilities stayed the same
- ★ Overall: Iowa City is stable
Questions Iowa City Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?
CMS recommends 0.75 hrs; Iowa City avg is 0.70 hrs (42 min)
Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?
2 of 3 Iowa City facilities have zero fines
What were your most recent inspection findings?
Ask for specifics—0 local facilities have serious deficiencies
What is your staff-to-resident ratio on weekends?
Weekend staffing often differs from weekday levels
Finding Quality Nursing Home Care in Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa's Johnson County seat, has 3 Medicare-certified nursing homes with approximately 221 beds. Families have good options, with many facilities exceeding state averages.
Iowa City vs. Iowa: Above Average Quality
Iowa City nursing homes outperform the state average on key quality metrics. The city's average CMS rating of 3.67 stars exceeds Iowa's statewide average of 3.06 stars by 0.6 stars—a meaningful difference that suggests stronger local standards.
2 of 3 facilities earn a B grade or better, giving families good options. While quality is generally high, the overall picture is positive for Iowa City families.
Understanding Our Trust Score System
The Trust Score is a 0-100 rating calculated from CMS's official nursing home database. The score combines five data categories:
- Health Inspection Results — Recent deficiencies, their severity, and patterns over time
- Staffing Levels — RN hours, total nursing hours, and weekend staffing
- Quality Measures — Clinical outcomes like falls, pressure ulcers, and rehospitalizations
- Penalties — Fines, payment denials, and enforcement actions
- Complaints — Substantiated complaints and their severity
In Iowa City, 2 facilities score a B grade or better, indicating they meet quality benchmarks across these categories. We recommend families prioritize these facilities and carefully research any facility rated C or below before visiting.
Staffing: A Significant Concern in Iowa City
Staffing levels are among the most important predictors of nursing home quality. Research consistently shows that facilities with more nursing staff—especially registered nurses—have better outcomes for residents.
Iowa City facilities average 0.70 RN hours per resident day, which falls below the CMS-recommended threshold of 0.75 hours. The typical Iowa City resident receives approximately 42 minutes of RN attention daily—compared to the 45 minutes experts recommend.
2 Iowa City facilities exceed CMS staffing recommendations. Families prioritizing staffing should look for facilities with the "Top Staffing" badge and ask specifically about RN hours during facility visits.
Ownership: Mix of For-Profit and Non-Profit
Iowa City has 1 non-profit nursing homes and 2 for-profit facilities. 1 of 3 facility is chain-owned, with the remainder independently operated.
Research suggests non-profit facilities often have higher staffing levels and fewer deficiencies on average, though ownership type alone does not guarantee quality. Families should evaluate each facility individually using inspection data, staffing levels, and recent deficiency reports.
Nearby Alternatives Worth Considering
Families may also want to consider nearby Iowa cities for additional options. The following Iowa cities offer multiple nursing home options:
- Des Moines — 12 facilities
- Cedar Rapids — 9 facilities
- Dubuque — 8 facilities
- Davenport — 7 facilities
- Sioux City — 6 facilities
- Marion — 6 facilities
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes are in Iowa City, Iowa?
Iowa City has 3 Medicare-certified nursing homes with a total of 221 beds. The city average CMS rating is 3.7 stars, which is above Iowa's state average of 3.1 stars.
What are the best nursing homes in Iowa City?
Based on our Trust Score analysis of CMS inspection data, the top-rated nursing homes in Iowa City include:
- • Oaknoll Retirement Residence — Grade A, 90/100 Trust Score
- • Briarwood Healthcare Center — Grade B+, 80/100 Trust Score
- • Iowa City Rehab & Health Care — Grade F, 36/100 Trust Score
These facilities have strong inspection records and staffing levels.
Which Iowa City nursing homes should I avoid?
We flag 0 facilities in Iowa City as high-risk based on patterns of serious deficiencies, substantial fines, or placement on CMS's Special Focus Facility list. These facilities are marked with warning indicators in our listings above.
We recommend avoiding facilities with: Grade D or F, recent "Immediate Jeopardy" citations (indicating serious harm or risk to residents), or those on CMS's Special Focus Facility list.
The Bottom Line on Iowa City Nursing Homes
Iowa City offers above-average nursing home options compared to the rest of the state. Focus your search on the 2 facilities graded A or B, particularly those with zero fines and strong staffing.