LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY
Open-data reference.
LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY is a for profit - limited liability company facility in BILLERICA, MA with 124 certified beds and a 2-star overall CMS rating. The facility has 38 deficiency records on file. Total penalties: $162K.
80 BOSTON ROAD, BILLERICA, MA 01862
Phone: 9786672166
Overall Rating
Health Inspection
Staffing
Quality Measures
Long-Stay Quality
Facility Information
- Provider Number
- 225546
- Ownership
- For profit - Limited Liability company
- Provider Type
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Beds
- 124
- Residents
- 101
- In Hospital
- No
- County
- Middlesex
- Last Inspection
- Dec 10, 2025
Staffing Data
- RN Hours
- 0.67 (nat'l avg: 0.68)
- LPN Hours
- 0.92
- CNA Hours
- 2.55
- Total Nursing Hours
- 4.14 (nat'l avg: 3.89)
- PT Hours
- 0.08
- Nursing Turnover
- 42.5%
- RN Turnover
- 52.6%
What the CMS Record Reveals About LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY
LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY operates 124 certified beds in BILLERICA, MA with approximately 101 residents currently in care, and carries a CMS overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars. The overall score is a composite of three weighted sub-ratings published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: health inspection results (2★), staffing levels (4★), and quality measures (4★). Because CMS caps the overall score at the health-inspection tier and then adjusts up or down based on staffing and quality, the sub-scores often tell a sharper story than the headline star count alone — a 3-star facility with weak inspection history reads differently from one held back by thin staffing.
The inspection file contains 38 deficiency records from recent surveys, of which 4 reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy threshold on the CMS scope-and-severity grid. On the enforcement side, CMS has assessed 1 penalty totaling $162K against this provider, a tangible indicator that regulators moved beyond citation into financial consequence. Staffing is reported at 4.14 total nursing hours per resident day (national average 3.89), with RN coverage at 0.67 per resident day — the single staffing metric most strongly tied to resident outcomes in peer-reviewed literature.
Classified as "For profit - Limited Liability company" ownership and operating as a "Medicare and Medicaid" provider, LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY falls into a category where comparative context matters. National research consistently shows that ownership structure, staffing hours, and turnover are the three operational levers that correlate most strongly with resident outcomes — ratings and fines are lagging indicators of those upstream choices. Reported nursing turnover at this facility is 42.5%, within a range generally associated with stable care teams. For families evaluating this facility, the CMS record should be read alongside a site visit, direct conversation with current residents and their families, and review of the state health department's most recent inspection report — the star rating is a starting point, not a verdict. All data on this page is sourced from CMS Provider Data and the Nursing Home Compare program; always verify details directly with the facility or your state survey agency before making placement decisions.
Deficiency History (38 most recent)
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 5, 2025
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Category: Administration Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
Designate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility.
Category: Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
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.
Category: Administration Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
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.
Category: Administration Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
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.
Category: Administration Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Category: Administration Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
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.
Category: Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
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.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 2, 2025
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Dec 12, 2023
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.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Dec 12, 2023
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Dec 12, 2023
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Dec 12, 2023
Regularly inspect all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails (if any) for safety; and all bed rails and mattresses must attach safely to the bed frame.
Category: Environmental Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Nov 4, 2022
Hire a qualified full-time social worker in a facility with more than 120 beds.
Category: Administration Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
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.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Category: Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Nov 4, 2022
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Nov 4, 2022
Quality Measures
| Measure | Type | Score | Used in Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 7.6% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | Long Stay | 2.9% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 0.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 1.4% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | Long Stay | 19.5% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | Long Stay | 0.0% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 3.6% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Long Stay | 99.2% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Short Stay | 99.8% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 0.9% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 5.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | Long Stay | 17.0% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Long Stay | 100.0% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Short Stay | 100.0% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 3.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | Long Stay | 23.7% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 21.0% | Yes |
Penalty History 1 penalties totaling $162K
| Date | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 4, 2024 | Fine | $162K |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall CMS rating for LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY?
What are the staffing levels at LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY?
How many beds does LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY have?
Does LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY have any deficiencies on record?
Has LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY received any fines or penalties?
Who owns LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY?
When was LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY last inspected?
What quality measures are tracked for LIFE CARE CENTER OF MERRIMACK VALLEY?
Data Sources
Data source: CMS Nursing Home Compare. Ratings, staffing, deficiency, quality measure, and penalty data are from CMS Provider Data. For informational purposes only. Always verify information directly with the facility or your state health department.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.