Boundary Waters Care Center
Scout 100Ely, MN · 42 beds
5.0CMS rating
Skilled NursingModerate availability
One of Ely's top-rated skilled nursing communities.
Est. $10,400–$13,930/mo
View full evaluation →Skilled NursingCMS verified
Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center
5211 Highway 110, Aurora, MN 55705 · St. Louis County
Choose Essentia Health-Northern Pines Clinic located at 5211 Highway 110 Aurora, MN, for specialty medical services and primary care for adults and children.
97
ExceptionalHaven Scout Score
Our composite of CMS ratings, staffing, and safety. This community rates exceptional.
Photos via google places, facility website.
Availability outlook● Very limited availability
Typically 98% full (32 of 33 beds occupied on an average day). Openings here tend to go fast.
If this community is on your shortlist, checking current openings sooner rather than later genuinely matters here.
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 Aurora's top-rated skilled nursing communities
Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center is a non-profit skilled nursing facility in Aurora, MN, with 33 certified beds and an average of about 32 residents per day. It operates as part of the Essentia Health network.
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall — above the national average of about 3 stars. Component ratings: 5/5 on health inspections, 5/5 on staffing, 4/5 on quality measures.
Staff provide about 3.60 total nurse hours per resident each day (1.01 of them from registered nurses), below the national benchmark of roughly 3.9 hours. Annual nursing-staff turnover is about 20%, better than the ~52% national average — a sign of staffing stability. On the safety record, CMS notes 0 health deficiencies at its most recent standard survey.
Strengths
- ✓5-star overall CMS rating
- ✓Strong health-inspection rating
- ✓Low staff turnover (continuity of care)
- ✓No deficiencies at last standard survey
- ✓No federal fines on record
- ✓Full sprinkler system
Things to ask about
- •Below-average nurse staffing (3.60 hrs/resident/day)
Best for: Families who want a highly rated, well-staffed setting in Aurora for 24/7 skilled nursing or post-hospital rehabilitation.
At a glance
- Certified beds
- 33
- Avg. residents/day
- 32
- Ownership
- Non profit - Corporation
- Part of a chain
- Essentia Health
- Continuing care
- No
- CMS provider #
- 245469
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 | $10,400–$13,930/mo (median $11,810) | Local market estimate |
2024–2026 published survey medians, state median adjusted to local Duluth 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
- 3.60
- National avg ≈ 3.9
- RN hrs / resident / day
- 1.01
- National avg ≈ 0.75
- Nursing staff turnover
- 20%
- 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)
- 0
- Federal fines
- None on record
- Total penalties
- 0
- Last standard survey
- 2026-01-28
- Sprinkler system
- Yes
- Resident & family council
- Resident
What inspectors found
The most recent findings from federal health inspections (5 citations on record — showing the latest 5). Every nursing home is inspected roughly once a year; most receive some citations.
2023-10-25Severity F — potential for harmAdministration Deficiencies
Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.
2023-10-25Severity D — potential for harmResident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
2023-10-25Severity D — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
2023-10-25Severity D — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
2023-10-25Severity D — potential for harmInfection Control Deficiencies
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
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.
Services & amenities
- ✓ Full automatic sprinkler system
- ✓ Medicare & Medicaid certified
- ✓ 24-hour licensed nursing
- ✓ On-site rehabilitation therapy
- ✓ Physical therapy
- ✓ Occupational therapy
Location
5211 Highway 110, Aurora, MN
- 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 Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center.
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 Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center
How much does Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center cost?
Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center does not publish exact rates. Comparable skilled nursing in the Aurora, MN area typically runs $10,400–$13,930 per month (median $11,810, based on published survey medians adjusted for local prices). A Haven advisor can confirm current pricing for free.
What is Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center's Medicare rating?
Medicare (CMS) rates Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center 5 out of 5 stars overall, including 5/5 for health inspections, 5/5 for staffing, 4/5 for quality measures. The national average is about 3 stars.
How is the staffing at Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center?
Staff provide about 3.60 total nurse hours per resident per day (national benchmark ≈ 3.9), and annual nursing-staff turnover is about 20% (national average ≈ 52%). These figures are reported to the federal government and updated regularly.
What did inspectors find at Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center?
Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center has 5 health citations on its recent federal inspection record (last standard survey: 2026-01-28). The full citation-by-citation detail, with severity levels, is published on this page.
Does Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center have availability?
Typically 98% full (32 of 33 beds occupied on an average day). Openings here tend to go fast. Availability changes weekly — a Haven advisor can confirm current openings at no cost.
What types of care does Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center offer?
Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center in Aurora, MN offers skilled nursing and is licensed for 33 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 Duluth.
- 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 Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center — 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 verifiedGoogleOfficial website
Last verified 2026-07-06. We refresh inspection data monthly and reviews continuously.
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