Life Care Center of Merrimack ValleyCMS ratings, inspections and fines
- Address
- 80 Boston Road, Billerica, MA 01862
- CCN
- 225546
- Ownership type
- For-profit, limited liability company
- Certified beds
- 124
- Residents per day
- 112
- CMS flags
- None in the CMS record
The watch list stays in this browser. After each CMS update, it shows the values that changed at the homes on the list.
CMS gives Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley an overall rating of 2 of 5 stars. The last standard survey was on 10 Dec 2025. The latest survey cycle has 6 health citations. The median for nursing homes in Massachusetts is 6. CMS lists 1 fine of $161,920 for this home in its penalties file.
Facilities may see a change in their overall rating for a number of reasons. Since the overall rating is based on three individual domains, a change in any one of the domains can affect the overall rating. Any new data for a nursing home could potentially change a star rating domain.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Five-Star Quality Rating System: Technical Users' Guide, July 2026. CMS processed this record on .
Since the last CMS update
The site has no recorded change for this home. In each CMS update, the site compares the ratings, the penalties and the citations of each home.
Changes in the CMS recordFeed of changes in Massachusetts (RSS)
Ratings
CMS gives each home 1 to 5 stars for health inspections, for staffing and for quality measures, and one overall rating.
| Rating (1 to 5 stars) | This home | Middlesex County median | Massachusetts median | US average (CMS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 2 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Health inspection rating | 2 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| Staffing rating | 3 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| Quality measure rating | 4 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.6 |
A median is the middle value of the homes in the group: 72 homes in the county, 341 homes in the state. What the CMS star ratings measure
Citations by survey cycle
CMS keeps the last three cycles, and cycle 1 is the latest. A cycle has one standard survey. Citations from complaint and infection control inspections go into cycles of 12 months.
| Survey cycle | Standard survey | Citations | Massachusetts median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 (latest) | 10 Dec 2025 | 6 | 6 |
| Cycle 2 | 4 Dec 2024 | 17 | 8 |
| Cycle 3 | No date | 4 | 10 |
Health citations
The record of one deficiency in an inspection. One inspection can give many citations.
Scope and severity. A letter from A to L on each citation. Scope is the number of residents that the deficiency affected. Severity is the level of harm.
| Severity | Isolated | Pattern | Widespread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety | J0 | K0 | L0 |
| Actual harm that is not immediate jeopardy | I0 | ||
| No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm | F0 | ||
| No actual harm, potential for minimal harm | A0 | B0 | C0 |
Survey cycle 1 (latest): 6 citations
Standard survey of this cycle: .
| Survey date | F-tag | Requirement (CMS text) | Scope and severity | Survey type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Apr 2026 | F0580 | Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. | D | Complaint investigation | 18 May 2026 |
| 10 Dec 2025 | F0698 | Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. | E | Standard survey | 26 Dec 2025 |
| 10 Dec 2025 | F0760 | Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors. | E | Standard survey | 26 Dec 2025 |
| 10 Dec 2025 | F0761 | Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs. | D | Standard survey | 26 Dec 2025 |
| 10 Dec 2025 | F0808 | Ensure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law. | D | Standard survey | 26 Dec 2025 |
| 14 Aug 2025 | F0552 | Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments. | E | Complaint investigation | 5 Sep 2025 |
Survey cycle 2: 17 citations
Standard survey of this cycle: .
| Survey date | F-tag | Requirement (CMS text) | Scope and severity | Survey type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0600 | Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody. | H | Complaint investigation | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0655 | Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted | G | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0656 | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0686 | Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing. | H | Complaint investigation | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0694 | Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0698 | Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0726 | Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being. | E | Complaint investigation | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0761 | Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0812 | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. | E | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0835 | Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently. | E | Complaint investigation | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0837 | Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility. | E | Complaint investigation | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0838 | Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies. | E | Complaint investigation | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0840 | Employ or obtain outside professional resources to provide services in the nursing home when the facility does not employ a qualified professional to furnish a required service. | D | Complaint investigation | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0841 | Designate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility. | H | Complaint investigation | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0842 | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | D | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0865 | Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities. | E | Complaint investigation | 2 Jan 2025 |
| 4 Dec 2024 | F0880 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | E | Standard survey | 2 Jan 2025 |
Survey cycle 3: 4 citations
The CMS provider file has no standard survey date for this cycle.
| Survey date | F-tag | Requirement (CMS text) | Scope and severity | Survey type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Nov 2023 | F0550 | Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. | D | Standard survey | 12 Dec 2023 |
| 22 Nov 2023 | F0756 | Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures. | D | Standard survey | 12 Dec 2023 |
| 22 Nov 2023 | F0761 | Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs. | E | Standard survey | 12 Dec 2023 |
| 22 Nov 2023 | F0842 | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | D | Standard survey | 12 Dec 2023 |
The requirement text is the CMS summary of the F-tag. It is not the report of the surveyor. How to read an inspection report
Penalties
A fine, or a payment denial: a period in which Medicare or Medicaid does not pay for new admissions. The CMS penalties file holds three years.
| Date | Type | Fine | Days without payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Dec 2024 | Fine | $161,920 |
Staffing
Hours per resident per day. The nurse hours for one resident on an average day. CMS calculates the figure from the hours that the home reports for a quarter.
| Staff | This home | Massachusetts median | Massachusetts average (CMS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nurse staff | 4.09 | 3.70 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses (RN) | 0.71 | 0.60 | 0.65 |
| Licensed practical nurses (LPN) | 1.00 | 0.95 | |
| Nurse aides | 2.39 | 2.26 | |
| All nurse staff, weekends | 3.59 | 3.30 | 3.48 |
- Nurse staff turnover in a year
- 38.8%
- Nurse staff turnover, Massachusetts median
- 37.7%
- RN turnover in a year
- 52.4%
- Administrators who left in a year
- 0
Homes report the hours to CMS in the Payroll-Based Journal.
Quality measures
A figure that CMS calculates from the assessments of residents. One example is the percentage of long-stay residents with a fall and a major injury.
| Measure (CMS text) | Residents | This home | Massachusetts median | US median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 5.1% | 15.4% | 12.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 0.3% | 1.5% | 0.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 4.9% | 3.3% | 2.8% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 0.5% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 3.8% | 14.4% | 12.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 3.7% | 3.8% | 4.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 18.6% | 19.6% | 13.4% |
For each measure in this table, CMS gives more points in the quality measure rating for a lower percentage. The site calculates the medians from the CMS file. What the CMS star ratings measure
Ownership
An organisation in the CMS ownership file. CMS records its role, for example an ownership interest, operational or managerial control, or a mortgage interest.
- Ownership type
- For-profit, limited liability company
- Legal business name
- Merrimack Valley Operations, LLC
- Chain
- Life Care Centers of America (194 homes in the CMS chain file)
| Organisation | Role in the CMS record | Interest | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Care Centers of America, Inc. | Operational/managerial control | 6 Aug 2015 | |
| Life Care Centers of America, Inc. | Adp of the snf | 12 Feb 2025 |
The site shows organisations only. It does not show the names of persons.
Other homes in Middlesex County
| Nursing home | City | Overall rating | Citations, latest cycle | Fines | Last standard survey | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Pediatric Care | North Billerica | 5 of 5 | 0 | $0 | 1 Apr 2026 | |
| Sunny Acres Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Ctr | Chelmsford | 4 of 5 | 3 | $0 | 6 May 2025 | |
| Vantage at Lowell LLC | Lowell | 2 of 5 | 9 | $13,497 | 14 May 2025 | |
| Blaire House of TewksburySpecial Focus candidate | Tewksbury | 1 of 5 | 26 | $71,902 | 17 Dec 2025 | |
| Regalcare at Lowell | Lowell | 1 of 5 | 10 | $91,558 | 10 Mar 2026 | |
| Palm Springs Post Acute | Chelmsford | 2 of 5 | 12 | $0 | 20 Nov 2025 | |
| Care One at Lowell | Lowell | 3 of 5 | 9 | $0 | 21 May 2025 | |
| Fairhaven Healthcare Center | Lowell | 2 of 5 | 14 | $15,030 | 26 Sep 2025 | |
| D'Youville Senior Care | Lowell | 1 of 5 | 22 | $0 | 15 Apr 2026 | |
| Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center | Lowell | 1 of 5 | 22 | $85,178 | 15 Aug 2025 | |
| D'Youville Care for Advanced Therapy | Lowell | 5 of 5 | 0 | $0 | 25 Jul 2025 | |
| Carleton-Willard Village Retirement & Nursing Ctr | Bedford | 5 of 5 | 0 | $25,497 | 13 May 2026 |
Official channels
- Care Compare record of this nursing homeMedicare.gov. The official CMS record of this home.
- Contact information for State Survey AgenciesCMS. The web address and the telephone number of the State Survey Agency of each state. These agencies investigate complaints about nursing homes.
- Filing a complaintMedicare.gov. The page names the State Survey Agency as the place for a complaint about nursing home care or facility conditions.
- Eldercare LocatorAdministration for Community Living. A public service that connects older adults and their families to local services. Telephone: 1-800-677-1116.
Cite this page
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Care Compare. Record of Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley (CCN 225546). Data processed 1 Aug 2026. Elder Care Record, https://eldercarerecord.com/facility/life-care-center-of-merrimack-valley-billerica-ma-225546/
Provenance
- Licence
- US government work, public domain
- CMS processed the data on
A program makes this page from the CMS files, and the same files always give the same text. How the site makes the figures. Report an error.
Questions
- When was Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley last inspected?
- The latest inspection with a citation in the CMS record was on 23 Apr 2026. It was a complaint investigation. It gave 1 citation. The standard survey before the last one was on 4 Dec 2024.
- Who operates Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley?
- The CMS record gives the ownership type as for-profit, limited liability company. CMS lists the home in the chain Life Care Centers of America. The CMS ownership file names Life Care Centers of America, Inc. for operational or managerial control. This site does not show the names of persons.
- Is Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley a Special Focus Facility?
- No. The CMS provider file lists no Special Focus status for this home. CMS lists 2 homes in Massachusetts as Special Focus Facilities and 10 as candidates.
- Where does the data on this page come from?
- The data comes from the CMS Care Compare files for nursing homes. CMS processed the files on 1 Aug 2026. The Care Compare record on Medicare.gov is the official record of the home.