Merced Behavioral Center
Scout 100Merced, CA · 96 beds
5.0CMS rating
Skilled Nursing● Very limited availability
One of Merced's top-rated skilled nursing communities.
Est. $9,860–$14,820/mo
View full evaluation →Skilled NursingCMS verified
La Sierra Care Center
2424 M Street, Merced, CA 95340 · Merced County
55
GoodHaven Scout Score
Our composite of CMS ratings, staffing, and safety. This community rates good.
Photos via facility website.
Availability outlook● Very limited availability
Typically 97% full (66 of 68 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.
A solid, federally rated skilled nursing option in Merced
La Sierra Care Center is a for-profit skilled nursing facility in Merced, CA, with 68 certified beds and an average of about 66 residents per day. It operates as part of the Cambridge Healthcare Services network.
Medicare rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall — right around the national average. Component ratings: 3/5 on health inspections, 2/5 on staffing, 3/5 on quality measures.
Staff provide about 3.90 total nurse hours per resident each day (0.47 of them from registered nurses), above the national benchmark of roughly 3.9 hours. Annual nursing-staff turnover is about 57.9%, higher than the ~52% national average. On the safety record, CMS notes 12 health deficiencies at its most recent standard survey.
Strengths
- ✓Above-average nurse staffing (3.90 hrs/resident/day)
- ✓No federal fines on record
- ✓Full sprinkler system
- ✓Active resident & family council
Things to ask about
- •12 deficiencies at last survey
Best for: Families weighing a dependable, mid-rated skilled nursing option in Merced, especially when location or Medicaid acceptance matters.
At a glance
- Certified beds
- 68
- Avg. residents/day
- 66
- Ownership
- For profit - Limited Liability company
- Part of a chain
- Cambridge Healthcare Services
- Continuing care
- No
- CMS provider #
- 055271
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 | $9,860–$14,820/mo (median $11,930) | Local market estimate |
2024–2026 published survey medians, state median adjusted to local Merced 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
- 3.90
- National avg ≈ 3.9
- RN hrs / resident / day
- 0.47
- National avg ≈ 0.75
- Nursing staff turnover
- 57.9%
- 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)
- 12
- Federal fines
- None on record
- Total penalties
- 0
- Last standard survey
- 2026-01-23
- Sprinkler system
- Yes
- Resident & family council
- Resident
What inspectors found
The most recent findings from federal health inspections (38 citations on record — showing the latest 8). Every nursing home is inspected roughly once a year; most receive some citations.
2026-01-23Severity E — potential for harmNutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
2026-01-23Severity E — potential for harmNutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
2026-01-23Severity E — potential for harmNutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
2026-01-23Severity E — potential for harmNutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
2026-01-23Severity E — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
2026-01-23Severity E — potential for harmEnvironmental Deficiencies
Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
2026-01-23Severity D — potential for harmResident Rights Deficiencies
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
2026-01-23Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
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
- ✓ Rehabilitation services
- ✓ Daily activities & events
- ✓ Studio apartments
- ✓ 24-hour staff
- ✓ 24/7 staff
Location
2424 M Street, Merced, CA
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
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 La Sierra Care 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 La Sierra Care Center
How much does La Sierra Care Center cost?
La Sierra Care Center does not publish exact rates. Comparable skilled nursing in the Merced, CA area typically runs $9,860–$14,820 per month (median $11,930, based on published survey medians adjusted for local prices). A Haven advisor can confirm current pricing for free.
What is La Sierra Care Center's Medicare rating?
Medicare (CMS) rates La Sierra Care Center 3 out of 5 stars overall, including 3/5 for health inspections, 2/5 for staffing, 3/5 for quality measures. The national average is about 3 stars.
How is the staffing at La Sierra Care Center?
Staff provide about 3.90 total nurse hours per resident per day (national benchmark ≈ 3.9), and annual nursing-staff turnover is about 57.9% (national average ≈ 52%). These figures are reported to the federal government and updated regularly.
What did inspectors find at La Sierra Care Center?
La Sierra Care Center has 38 health citations on its recent federal inspection record (last standard survey: 2026-01-23). The full citation-by-citation detail, with severity levels, is published on this page.
Does La Sierra Care Center have availability?
Typically 97% full (66 of 68 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 La Sierra Care Center offer?
La Sierra Care Center in Merced, CA offers skilled nursing and is licensed for 68 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 Merced.
- 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 La Sierra Care 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 verifiedGoogle
Last verified 2026-07-06. We refresh inspection data monthly and reviews continuously.
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