St Francis of Bellingham
St Francis of Bellingham – Medicare Certified Since 1986
St Francis of Bellingham is a Medicare and Medicaid certified skilled nursing facility located in Bellingham, Washington. This facility has been serving the community for 40 years. A Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility provides 24-hour nursing care, rehabilitation services, and assistance with activities of daily living for patients who need skilled nursing or rehabilitation services on a daily basis.
This facility has 105 certified beds with a current occupancy rate of 67% (averaging 70 residents per day), which is below average. Skilled nursing facilities provide 24-hour nursing care for patients who need rehabilitation services after a hospital stay or ongoing care for chronic conditions. Services include skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and assistance with daily activities.
Staffing Levels: Based on CMS payroll data, this facility provides approximately 4.14 hours of total nursing care per resident per day (2.35 hours from CNAs, 0.86 hours from LPNs, 0.93 hours from RNs). Physical therapy staffing is 0.12 hours per resident per day. This staffing level meets research-recommended quality thresholds.
Medicare Quality Ratings: According to CMS, St Francis of Bellingham has an overall quality rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes nationwide. Individual category ratings are: health inspection: 3 stars, staffing: 2 stars, quality measures: 5 stars.
Medicare Coverage: Medicare covers skilled nursing facility care for up to 100 days following a qualifying hospital stay of at least 3 days. Days 1-20 are fully covered by Medicare, days 21-100 require a daily coinsurance payment. Many residents also use Medicaid, private insurance, or pay privately for long-term stays.
Questions to Ask: When visiting a nursing home, ask about: staff-to-resident ratios and RN coverage around the clock, how they handle medical emergencies, activities and therapy programs, how they communicate with families, their approach to falls prevention, and policies for managing resident complaints.
Visit Medicare Care Compare to view detailed ratings, inspection reports, staffing data, and compare this facility with others in the area.
Quality ratings and facility data are updated periodically by CMS. We recommend verifying current information at Medicare Care Compare.
Local Comparison Snapshot
How St Francis of Bellingham compares to 9 facilities in Bellingham, WA
Click a measure name to jump to details • Hover over ⓘ for definitions
Data from CMS Medicare Compare and Payroll-Based Journal. Area averages based on 9 facilities in Bellingham, WA.
Ratings and staffing data typically reflect the most recent quarterly reporting period available.
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Medicare Star Ratings
Official CMS ratings based on health inspections, staffing, and quality measures
Data as of December 2025
Star Ratings History
Quarterly performance from 2013-2026
How Does This Facility Compare?
Compared to 9 other nursing homes in Bellingham, WA
Based on CMS Medicare star ratings. Higher ratings indicate better performance.
Staffing Hours per Resident Day
Staffing data from CMS Payroll-Based Journal. Higher hours generally indicate more direct care time.
Staff Turnover Rate
Lower turnover rates generally indicate a more stable workforce and better continuity of care.
Agency/Contract Staff Usage
Lower agency usage often indicates better staff retention. High agency rates (>30%) may suggest staffing challenges.
Agency Staff Trends
Historical agency/contract staff usage by role
Data from CMS Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ). Agency % = contractor hours / total hours.
Direct Care Staffing
Average minutes of direct nursing care per resident per day
Data as of December 2025
Staffing Trends
Direct care minutes per resident per day
Occupancy Rate History
Average daily residents as a percentage of certified beds
Data from CMS Provider Info files. Occupancy = Average Residents per Day / Certified Beds.
Staff Turnover History
Annual percentage of nursing staff who left the facility
Data as of December 2024
Data from CMS Payroll-Based Journal. Turnover = staff who left during the year / total staff.
Average Daily Rate
Average daily charge for care at this facility
Based on CMS Cost Report data (inpatient revenue ÷ total patient days)
Data Source: Financial data from CMS Skilled Nursing Facility Cost Reports. Data typically lags 1-2 years. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for financial or care decisions. CareListings does not guarantee accuracy.
Financial Health
Comprehensive financial indicators from CMS Cost Reports
Data from fiscal year 2023 (most recent available - cost report data lags ~2 years)
Staff Investment: Higher spending per resident often correlates with better care quality.
Payer Mix: Shows revenue sources. Higher Medicare % typically means more post-acute/rehab care; higher Medicaid % indicates more long-term care residents.
Nonprofit/Government: May operate with lower margins while still providing quality care due to community mission.
Data Source: All financial data on this page comes from CMS Skilled Nursing Facility Cost Reports submitted by the facility to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for any financial or care decisions. Cost report data typically lags 1-2 years. CareListings does not guarantee the accuracy of this data.
Who Stays Here
Breakdown of residents by payment type
Based on fiscal year 2023 cost report data
Average Length of Stay
How long residents typically stay at this facility
Based on fiscal year 2023 cost report data
Services
Comprehensive skilled nursing services, rehabilitation programs, and medical care in BELLINGHAM
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Find Jobs Near MeReviews
My experience with Avalon has been excellent from start to finish. The admission process was incredibly smooth and stress-free — the staff guided us through every step and made everything easy to understand. The nursing team is truly outstanding — attentive, professional, and genuinely caring. They go above and beyond to make sure every patient feels comfortable and well looked after. And the food deserves special mention — it’s delicious, well-balanced, and thoughtfully prepared. I highly recommend Avalon to anyone in the Whatcom or even Skagit county area!
I met Preet, RN and I liked her right away. She was so interested in you, and I could tell she has passion for her skill at nursing...not only that but Compassion and empathy for the residents and their families.Very warm and easy to like,feel comfortable around her.And I missed her when she is not on duty .I had a problem,was getting no where with anyone and PREET came along.she is wonderful and I could see she was going to take care of me. She is kind and caring soul. I am so glad she is here at Avalon for myself and others. I highly recommend Preet, my nurse at Avalon Healthcare.
My mother stayed here after foot surgery. I was a little concerned after reading some of the reviews, but I was ultimately very happy with the care she received. There were some ups and downs during her stay, but overall, the staff was kind, understanding, and compassionate. They even visited her in the hospital before she arrived at the facility and brought her flowers and a card — a gesture that meant a lot to both of us. The only downside was the smell of urine in the facility, but unfortunately, that seems common in many rehab centers and nursing homes. The food also wasn’t great, but again, that was expected. Bethany, Francesca and Justin were all exceptional — caring, attentive, and supportive throughout. I would highly recommend this place!
I am quite impressed with the change that is now Avalon Health Care. The staff here is spectacular. Preet has demonstrated not only skill in her craft but a sense of respect for her patients as well as compassion for those who are hurting. A truly a kind and caring soul. I see her as worthy asset where ever her life journey takes her. S.M.
Not sure where to start, but I’m just going too… 1. Years ago, the old facility (a different name and owner) was different, but Avalon is no short of being one of the BEST in Bellingham. I was a little hesitant about having my Dad stay there, but was told by several local medical professionals that Avalon is now one of the top 3 centers in Bellingham now - and I have to agree 100%!!! 2. My son worked there years ago and was very impressed when we arrived “late” in the evening on 05/11/25 and seeing all of the staff there taking care of their individual patients/guests. My son, Austin, said back when he worked there the previous owners kept a small crew and they had a hard time taking care of everyone. But he too acknowledged how impressed he was with the larger crew of medical professionals working the floors and the personalized service we and others were receiving. They are all very attentive and caring. It’s impressive! 3. I have had every bit of personalized service with how my Dad is being taken care of. They personally call me each and everytime something changes in the care, if something changes with my Dad, or if they are recommending or asking for something deferent than what is being done. They even call me if they put him in a new room. When they call me, it’s right after it happens or when they find something new. It’s the damn best care I have ever seen! 4. I have had personal conversations with the rehab department, the chef, and the personnel supervisors. They want my Dad to be taken care of the best he can be and not just to their standards… but to our standards too. They have NEVER complained or refused anything I have asked - in fact they go out of their way to accommodate our family and my Dad. They go out of their way to do anything they can to make sure his stay is everything it can be and that he gets the best medical attention he can get while he is staying with them. Bar none… This is the best facility I have ever seen in Bellingham. I would recommend Avalon to anyone and everyone. I want to thank them for taken such good care of my Dad and making this so much easier on our family. To the entire Avalon crew… I’m so grateful with having you all and want to Thank You for accepting my Dad into your facility and taking the BEST care of him! Sincerely, Marcus and Jennifer Sanders Bellingham, Washington
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