Cherokee Specialty Care
Cherokee Specialty Care
4.3 (11 reviews)
Skilled Nursing Facility • 62 Licensed Beds
1011 North Roosevelt, Cherokee, IA
CMS Medicare Ratings
Overall
Inspection
Staffing
Quality
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Cherokee Specialty Care

Skilled Nursing Facility • 62 Licensed Beds
1011 North Roosevelt,
Cherokee, IA
CMS Medicare Ratings
Overall
Inspection
Staffing
Quality
View details →
About

Cherokee Specialty Care – Medicare Certified Since 1997

Cherokee Specialty Care is a Medicare and Medicaid certified skilled nursing facility located in Cherokee, Iowa. This facility has been serving the community for 29 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 62 certified beds with a current occupancy rate of 72% (averaging 45 residents per day), which is moderate. 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 3.58 hours of total nursing care per resident per day (2.57 hours from CNAs, 0.66 hours from LPNs, 0.35 hours from RNs). Physical therapy staffing is 0.06 hours per resident per day.

Medicare Quality Ratings: According to CMS, Cherokee Specialty Care has an overall quality rating of 2 out of 5 stars, which is below average compared to other nursing homes nationwide. Individual category ratings are: health inspection: 2 stars, staffing: 3 stars, quality measures: 3 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.

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Local Comparison Snapshot

How Cherokee Specialty Care compares to 251 facilities in Rural IA

Click a measure name to jump to details • Hover over for definitions

Measure
This Facility
Area Avg
Comparison
Overall Rating
Medicare 5-star rating
2
3.1
Quality Measures
Clinical outcomes & safety
3
3.2
Health Inspections
State survey results
2
2.9
Staffing
Nurse-to-resident ratio
3
3.5
Staffing Hours (per resident/day)
RN Hours
Registered nurses
0.35 hrs
0.73 hrs
LPN/LVN Hours
Licensed practical nurses
0.66 hrs
0.57 hrs
CNA Hours
Certified nursing assistants
2.57 hrs
2.39 hrs
Total Nursing Hours
CNA + LPN + RN combined
3.58 hrs
3.69 hrs
Agency/Contractor Usage
Lower agency use often indicates more stable, consistent care
RN Agency Use
% of RN hours from contractors
0 %
5.3 %
LPN/LVN Agency Use
% of LPN hours from contractors
0 %
7.7 %
CNA Agency Use
% of CNA hours from contractors
0 %
7.2 %
Staff Stability & Occupancy
Staff Turnover
Annual nursing staff turnover
49 %
41 %
Occupancy Rate
Percentage of beds filled
72 %
76 %
Financial Estimate
Based on CMS Cost Report data (for reference only)
Est. Daily Rate
Average cost per day
$453
$331
Estimate Only: This figure is calculated from cost reports and is for informational purposes only. Actual rates vary significantly. See details or contact the facility.
Better than Area
Near Average
Below Area Average

Data from CMS Medicare Compare and Payroll-Based Journal. Area averages based on 251 facilities in Rural IA.
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

What do Medicare star ratings measure?
Medicare rates nursing homes on a 1-5 star scale based on three key areas: health inspection results, staffing levels, and quality measures like falls and infections.
How often are ratings updated?
CMS updates nursing home ratings monthly. Ratings can change based on new inspection results, staffing data from payroll records, and clinical quality outcomes.
Overall Rating
2/5
Quality Measures
3/5
Health Inspections
2/5
Staffing
3/5

Star Ratings History

Quarterly performance from 2013-2026

View on Medicare.gov
Overall
Health Inspections
Quality
Staffing
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

How Does This Facility Compare?

Compared to 251 other nursing homes in Rural IA

Why compare to local facilities?
Local comparisons account for regional staffing markets and demographics. A facility performing above local averages often indicates strong management and quality care relative to area standards.
Cherokee Specialty Care
Rural IA Average

Based on CMS Medicare star ratings. Higher ratings indicate better performance.

Staffing Hours per Resident Day

Cherokee Specialty Care
Rural IA Average

Staffing data from CMS Payroll-Based Journal. Higher hours generally indicate more direct care time.

Staff Turnover Rate

Cherokee Specialty Care
Rural IA Average

Lower turnover rates generally indicate a more stable workforce and better continuity of care.

Agency/Contract Staff Usage

Cherokee Specialty Care
Rural IA Average

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

What does agency usage indicate?
Agency/contract staff fill temporary staffing gaps. Lower percentages typically indicate a stable, permanent workforce. Facilities with consistently high agency usage (>30%) may face staff retention challenges, though temporary spikes can occur during seasonal illness or transitions.
CNA
LPN
RN

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

Understanding staffing levels: Higher staffing is associated with better quality outcomes. Research suggests around 4.1 hours of total nursing care per resident per day as a quality benchmark. Compare this facility's staffing to local averages to assess relative care levels.
154
minutes/day
CNAs
Certified Nursing Assistants
40
minutes/day
LPNs
Licensed Practical Nurses
21
minutes/day
RNs
Registered Nurses
4
minutes/day
PTs
Physical Therapists

Staffing Trends

Direct care minutes per resident per day

CNAs
LPNs
RNs
PTs
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Occupancy Rate History

Average daily residents as a percentage of certified beds

Understanding occupancy: Higher occupancy can indicate strong community reputation and demand. Very low occupancy may affect financial stability, while extremely high occupancy could mean limited bed availability.
Cherokee Specialty Care
Rural IA Average (76.3%)

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 2025

Understanding turnover: Lower turnover rates generally indicate a more stable workforce and better continuity of care. High turnover can affect care quality and resident relationships. The national average for nursing homes is around 50-60%.
All Nursing Staff
Registered Nurses (RN)
Area Average

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)

FY 2023 Daily Rate
$453
per resident per day
Compared to 244 facilities in your area
Above local median ($331)
Daily Rate Trend (2018-2023)
Contact Facility for Actual Rates
This figure is an average calculated from cost reports and is for informational purposes only. Actual rates vary significantly based on level of care needed, room type, payer source (Medicare, Medicaid, private pay), and other factors. Please contact the facility directly for current pricing and availability.
How This Is Calculated
This average daily rate is calculated from CMS Cost Reports by dividing total inpatient revenue by total patient days. It represents an average across all payers and care levels. Higher rates may indicate more intensive care, specialized services, or regional cost factors.

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)

Nonprofit Facility

Financial Summary

Metric This Facility Local Median Comparison
Operating Margin
Profitability ratio
14% -2% Above
Net Income
Annual profit or loss
$262,696 $-33,498 Above
Staff Cost per Resident
Daily salary expense per resident
$126/day $146/day Lower
Occupancy Rate
Bed utilization percentage
72% 73% Lower
Est. Daily Rate
Average revenue per patient day
$453/day $331/day Higher
Total Beds
Licensed bed capacity
62 56 Larger

Local comparisons based on 244 skilled nursing facilities in the Iowa (Rural) metro area

Revenue & Expenses

Net Patient Revenue
After adjustments & allowances
$4,970,753
Operating Expenses
Total operating costs
$4,280,266
Total Salaries
Staff compensation
$2,317,519
Contract Labor
Agency & temp staff
$116,663

Payer Mix

Medicare
5%
Medicaid
68%
Private Pay & Other
27%

Operating Margin Trend (2018-2023)

Understanding Financial Health
Operating Margin: Percentage of revenue remaining after operating costs. Positive = profitable operations.
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

Total Days
18,358
Medicare
Short-term skilled nursing
5%
Medicaid
Long-term care residents
68%
Private Pay / Other
Self-pay, insurance, VA
27%
Higher Medicare %
Indicates more short-term rehabilitation residents. Medicare typically covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing care after a hospital stay.
Higher Medicaid %
Indicates more long-term care residents. Medicaid covers nursing home care for those who qualify financially.

Average Length of Stay

How long residents typically stay at this facility

Based on fiscal year 2023 cost report data

Overall Average
195.30
days
Medicare Stays
28.94
days
Medicaid Stays
540.91
days
Total Admissions
95
Total Discharges
94
Medicare (Short-Term)
Medicare covers skilled nursing for rehabilitation after a hospital stay. Typical stays are 20-30 days for recovery from surgery, stroke, or illness.
Medicaid (Long-Term)
Medicaid covers long-term nursing home care for those who qualify. Many residents stay months or years, receiving ongoing daily care and support.

Services

Comprehensive skilled nursing services, rehabilitation programs, and medical care in CHEROKEE

Join Our Caring Team

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Current Job Openings

Cherokee Specialty Care
CHEROKEE, IA
Full Time
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Reviews

4.3 (11 reviews)
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Diane Esbeck- Nichols's profile photo

I fell 4 times in 3 days and I was sent here. As I walked through the door, I was told that I was now under quarantine. It took them 3 weeks to tell me that I was quarantined for a neural flu. (Why they didn't have me go somewhere else is beyond me. Some one could've just told me before I went there). When I got there, I asked my Dr. to be sure I was on the diet he recommended for me due to my Renal failure that I'd started developing. He told me that they wouldn't do diets for any of his patients there. So my no salt, no tomato (of any sort), no cheese, etc. diet was bypassed. Their ham (naturally) was brined.. but surprise...I pulled the fried chicken coating off to be rid of the salt on my chicken, only to find out that the chicken itself was brined (soaked in salt water... supposedly for taste, but alot of salt will also ruin your kidneys. They would leave the hall doors open to see us, came & went with out masks (before covid-19, during neural flu quarantine...& tried to convince me germs couldn't get through the doorway.). I got personally billed for $12,600.+ for the 2 months and 3 days I was there... even though about 5+ weeks of it I couldn't leave due to the quarantine. That's about $3,000. more than I get to live on in a year. And I have to pay rent, utilities, groceries, etc. out of that money, too. I offered to make $50.00 a month payments, but their POLICY required a minimum of $100.00 per month, so now I'm getting sued for money I don't have. Also, some meds may allow for a 1/2 hour - 1&1/2 hour difference in taking them... but my anticonvulsants need to be taken on time, or I will have seizures. (I'm an epileptic). It was cold February weather when the quarantine lifted & I was ready to go... they could care less if I went. I almost had to walk home... with O.A., bursitis, fibromyalgia, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, & other breathing problems. I still wonder if I could have made it, or if I'd have collapsed on a rarely used street some place in between.(I don't drive anymore). Some one must've told them that my family could sue if I didn't get home safe...a short tempered gal showed up to drive me home. I was there 12-20-19 to 2-23-20.

Nick Wiseman's profile photo
Nick Wiseman 7 years ago

A loved one of mine was recently under the care of the Villa. During this time she was continuasly neglected (did not answer call lights so in return was not able to go to the bathroom for at times up to an hour or more, which also resulted in having a UTI, she was majorly dehydrated, and malnourished). They were always under staffed so the residents care was compromised because this. Employees did not contact the family when she was ill nor did they do anything to help the matter. Her personal hygiene and her room (the amount of space she had was minamal) conditions were not taken care of. The day our family walked in on her barely conscious, laying in her own feces, and having a high fever was unacceptable. At the time we found her in that condition, we feel she would not have made it, had we not found her, as no one contacted us about the situation. I am writing this review not to bash anyone or hurt the agency, but to inform people about our experience and we hope it doesn’t happen to anyone else.

Bea Houston's profile photo
Bea Houston 3 years ago

The staff are very caring and the caring attitudes are evident in the care the patients receive! They are the best!

Heather Marks's profile photo
Heather Marks 3 years ago

Outdoor garden is a perfect event for the residents!

Lisa Campbell's profile photo
Lisa Campbell 3 years ago

Cherokee Specialty Care has a great activity department.

View All 11 Google Reviews

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