Mt Baker Care Center
Scout 100Bellingham, WA · 70 beds
5.0CMS rating
Skilled NursingModerate availability
One of Bellingham's top-rated skilled nursing communities.
Est. $11,670–$14,700/mo
View full evaluation →Skilled NursingCMS verified
Avalon Healthcare Bellingham
3121 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, WA 98225 · Whatcom County
91
ExceptionalHaven Scout Score
Our composite of CMS ratings, staffing, and safety. This community rates exceptional.
Photos via google places, facility website.
Availability outlookUsually has openings
Typically 62% full — availability is generally good.
Source: federal census data (average daily residents vs. certified beds, CMS Care Compare). Confirm current openings with an advisor — availability changes weekly.
Our evaluation
An honest, data-grounded look at this community — every claim is drawn from public inspection data.
One of Bellingham's top-rated skilled nursing communities
Avalon Healthcare Bellingham is a for-profit skilled nursing facility in Bellingham, WA, with 105 certified beds and an average of about 65 residents per day. It operates as part of the Avalon Health Care network.
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall — above the national average of about 3 stars. Component ratings: 4/5 on health inspections, 4/5 on staffing, 5/5 on quality measures.
Staff provide about 4.48 total nurse hours per resident each day (1.23 of them from registered nurses), above the national benchmark of roughly 3.9 hours. Annual nursing-staff turnover is about 52.4%, higher than the ~52% national average. On the safety record, CMS notes 10 health deficiencies at its most recent standard survey, and 1 federal fine totaling $32,298 in the recent record.
Strengths
- ✓5-star overall CMS rating
- ✓Strong health-inspection rating
- ✓Above-average nurse staffing (4.48 hrs/resident/day)
- ✓Full sprinkler system
- ✓Active resident & family council
Things to ask about
- •$32,298 in federal fines
Best for: Families who want a highly rated, well-staffed setting in Bellingham for 24/7 skilled nursing or post-hospital rehabilitation.
At a glance
- Certified beds
- 105
- Avg. residents/day
- 65
- Ownership
- For profit - Corporation
- Part of a chain
- Avalon Health Care
- Continuing care
- No
- CMS provider #
- 505296
Federal quality ratings
From the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), on a 1–5 star scale.
Overall rating
Health inspections
Staffing
Quality measures
Pricing & cost
We publish transparent estimates and verify exact pricing on request. No surprises.
| Level of care | Monthly cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Nursing | $11,670–$14,700/mo (median $12,820) | Local market estimate |
2024–2026 published survey medians, state median adjusted to local Bellingham prices (BEA regional price parities). Request a quote for exact pricing. Range spans semi-private to private rooms. How we estimate costs
Staffing & care
More nursing time per resident — and lower turnover — generally means more attentive care.
- Total nurse hrs / resident / day
- 4.48
- National avg ≈ 3.9
- RN hrs / resident / day
- 1.23
- National avg ≈ 0.75
- Nursing staff turnover
- 52.4%
- National avg ≈ 52%
Safety & inspection record
Federal inspectors survey nursing homes roughly once a year. Here's the latest on file.
- Health deficiencies (last survey)
- 10
- Federal fines
- 1 ($32,298)
- Total penalties
- 1
- Last standard survey
- 2025-12-05
- Sprinkler system
- Yes
- Resident & family council
- Resident
What inspectors found
The most recent findings from federal health inspections (31 citations on record — showing the latest 8). Every nursing home is inspected roughly once a year; most receive some citations.
2025-12-05Severity E — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
2025-12-05Severity D — potential for harmFreedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
2025-12-05Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
2025-12-05Severity D — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
2025-12-05Severity D — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
2025-12-05Severity D — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
2025-12-05Severity D — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
2025-12-05Severity D — potential for harmPharmacy Service Deficiencies
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, compar…
Severity uses the CMS scope/severity scale: D–F = potential for harm, G–I = actual harm, J–L = immediate jeopardy. Source: CMS Care Compare health citations; data as of the latest federal release. Discuss any finding directly with the community on a tour.
Penalty history
Federal fines and Medicare/Medicaid payment denials on record.
| Date | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-04-24 | Fine | $32,298 |
Services & amenities
- ✓ Full automatic sprinkler system
- ✓ Medicare & Medicaid certified
- ✓ 24-hour licensed nursing
- ✓ On-site rehabilitation therapy
- ✓ Physical therapy
- ✓ Occupational therapy
- ✓ Rehabilitation services
- ✓ Respite / short-term stays
- ✓ Wellness programs
- ✓ Housekeeping & laundry
- ✓ 24-hour staff
Location
3121 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, WA
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Reviews & reputation
We aggregate ratings across Google, Yelp, and verified families — and link back to every source so you can read more.
Verified family reviews
No verified family reviews yet for Avalon Healthcare Bellingham.
Have a loved one here, or recently toured? Help other families by sharing your experience — we verify every review before it's published.
Talk to an advisor about this communityCommon questions about Avalon Healthcare Bellingham
How much does Avalon Healthcare Bellingham cost?
Avalon Healthcare Bellingham does not publish exact rates. Comparable skilled nursing in the Bellingham, WA area typically runs $11,670–$14,700 per month (median $12,820, based on published survey medians adjusted for local prices). A Haven advisor can confirm current pricing for free.
What is Avalon Healthcare Bellingham's Medicare rating?
Medicare (CMS) rates Avalon Healthcare Bellingham 5 out of 5 stars overall, including 4/5 for health inspections, 4/5 for staffing, 5/5 for quality measures. The national average is about 3 stars.
How is the staffing at Avalon Healthcare Bellingham?
Staff provide about 4.48 total nurse hours per resident per day (national benchmark ≈ 3.9), and annual nursing-staff turnover is about 52.4% (national average ≈ 52%). These figures are reported to the federal government and updated regularly.
What did inspectors find at Avalon Healthcare Bellingham?
Avalon Healthcare Bellingham has 31 health citations on its recent federal inspection record (last standard survey: 2025-12-05). The full citation-by-citation detail, with severity levels, is published on this page.
Does Avalon Healthcare Bellingham have availability?
Typically 62% full — availability is generally good. Availability changes weekly — a Haven advisor can confirm current openings at no cost.
What types of care does Avalon Healthcare Bellingham offer?
Avalon Healthcare Bellingham in Bellingham, WA offers skilled nursing and is licensed for 105 beds.
The best time to decide is before a crisis decides for you
Most families start this search after a fall, a hospital stay, or a caregiver reaching a breaking point — and end up choosing from whatever has a bed open that week. Families who plan even a few weeks ahead get to choose on quality, fit, and price instead of availability alone.
- Move-ins take time: assessments, paperwork, and preparation typically run 2–6 weeks in Bellingham.
- The best communities fill first: top-rated communities often run a waitlist — touring early holds your place in line.
- Touring costs nothing and commits you to nothing — but it turns a future emergency into a calm, informed choice.
Your next steps — this week
- 1Confirm the fitCheck the inspection record and staffing data on this page against your loved one's needs.
- 2Get exact pricing & availabilityRequest current rates for Avalon Healthcare Bellingham — takes one minute, answered same day.
- 3Tour 2–3 communitiesCompare this community against two alternatives. Ask about staff turnover, all-in monthly cost, and care-plan changes.
- 4Hold a spotMost communities hold a residence with a small refundable deposit while you decide.
Data sources:CMS verifiedGoogle
Last verified 2026-07-06. We refresh inspection data monthly and reviews continuously.
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