NursingHomeGrade

Life Care Center Of Merrimack Valley

80 BOSTON ROAD, BILLERICA, MA 01862

Operator

LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA · 194 facilities

Provider number (CCN)
225546
Certification
Medicare and Medicaid
Ownership
For profit - Limited Liability company
Certified beds
124
Phone
(978) 667-2166
CMS data as of
July 1, 2026
C

What the records show

CMS rates Life Care Center Of Merrimack Valley 2 out of 5 stars overall, with 2 of 5 for health inspections, 3 of 5 for staffing, 4 of 5 for quality measures. Federal inspectors cited 27 health deficiencies across the last three survey cycles, most recently surveyed in 2025, 4 at actual-harm level or higher. CMS enforcement records list 1 fine totalling $161,920.

Facility Assessment Inspectors recorded 4 citations at the actual-harm level or worse in the last three survey cycles. This facility is operated by LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, which scores 12 points above the national average.

Reviews, Ratings and Official Records

This page reviews Life Care Center Of Merrimack Valley using federal government records — CMS star ratings, health-inspection findings, staffing data and enforcement actions. NursingHomeGrade does not collect, host or publish resident or family testimonials, and no star rating below is a consumer review score.

At or above the 2024 benchmark — average inspection record.

Ratings and Grade Breakdown

RN Staffing
Registered nurse time each resident receives daily. 2024 federal benchmark: 0.55 hrs. Repealed February 2026.
 0.71 — At or above the repealed 0.55 hr benchmark

The 0.55 hour RN standard was repealed effective February 2, 2026 and is not currently enforced. We still grade against it. Why
Health Deficiencies (last 3 survey cycles)
Violations found during federal inspections, with how many remain open and how many involved actual harm.
Total 27
Outstanding 0
Actual harm or worse (G–L) 4
CMS Ratings
Federal five-star ratings published by CMS. These are regulatory ratings, not consumer review scores.
Overall: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Health inspection: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Quality: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Staffing: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
NursingHomeGrade Score
 63/100

Loaded into NursingHomeGrade on August 7, 2026. This is the load date, not the date CMS published the underlying survey data — see release dates.

CMS scores each facility from one to five stars — one is in the bottom fifth of facilities in its state on health inspections, five is in the top tenth. Our own A–F grade is a separate 0–100 score built from staffing hours, inspection citations, and the severity and correction status of those citations, weighted as described in our grading methodology.

Staffing Compared With State and National Levels

This facility0.71 hrs
MA median0.60 hrs
National average0.69 hrs

Registered nurse turnover: 52.4% · Total nursing staff turnover: 38.8%

Staffing figures are the values CMS published in its file processed July 1, 2026, drawn from payroll-based journal reporting.

Inspection Records Covered

Source records: CMS Care Compare profile for provider 225546 ↗ · the federal files we load and when.

Inspection Deficiencies

Health inspections identify violations of federal standards. Severity ranges from no actual harm (A–F) to immediate jeopardy (J–L).

4 actual harm issues found among 27 total deficiencies. 27 corrected.

Most recent inspection (December 10, 2025)

D Potential harm — isolated F0808 Status: Corrected

Ensure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law.

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 26, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0760 Status: Corrected

Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 26, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0761 Status: Corrected

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.

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 26, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0698 Status: Corrected

Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 26, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0580 Status: Corrected

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected May 18, 2026

E Potential harm — pattern F0552 Status: Corrected

Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 5, 2025

Inspection cycle 2 (December 4, 2024)

E Potential harm — pattern F0835 Status: Corrected

Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0837 Status: Corrected

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.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0838 Status: Corrected

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.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0865 Status: Corrected

Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0840 Status: Corrected

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.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

H Actual harm — pattern F0600 Status: Corrected

Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0880 Status: Corrected

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

H Actual harm — pattern F0841 Status: Corrected

Designate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0726 Status: Corrected

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.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0812 Status: Corrected

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0761 Status: Corrected

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.

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

H Actual harm — pattern F0686 Status: Corrected

Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0694 Status: Corrected

Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0698 Status: Corrected

Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

G Actual harm — isolated F0655 Status: Corrected

Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0656 Status: Corrected

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0842 Status: Corrected

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 2, 2025

Inspection cycle 3 (November 22, 2023)

E Potential harm — pattern F0761 Status: Corrected

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.

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 12, 2023

D Potential harm — isolated F0756 Status: Corrected

Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 12, 2023

D Potential harm — isolated F0842 Status: Corrected

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 12, 2023

D Potential harm — isolated F0550 Status: Corrected

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 12, 2023

Fines and Enforcement Actions

Penalties CMS has imposed on this facility. A fine is a civil money penalty; a payment denial suspends Medicare or Medicaid payment for new admissions.

Date Action Amount or length
December 4, 2024 Fine $161,920

1 fine totalling $161,920.

Source: CMS Penalties file (dataset g6vv-u9sr).

Ownership and Contact Information

Facility name
Life Care Center Of Merrimack Valley
Legal business name
MERRIMACK VALLEY OPERATIONS, LLC
Address
80 BOSTON ROAD, BILLERICA, MA 01862
Phone
(978) 667-2166
Provider number (CCN)
225546
Ownership type
For profit - Limited Liability company
Operator
LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA · 194 facilities
Medicare/Medicaid certified since
March 15, 1992
Official record
CMS Care Compare profile ↗
Details verified against CMS data dated
July 1, 2026

The federal nursing-home files publish no email address for certified facilities, so none is listed here. We do not guess or construct contact addresses. Contact details above are reproduced from CMS Provider Information; call the facility to confirm before relying on them.

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Sources and Methodology

The NursingHomeGrade score is our own calculation from these federal files — it is not a CMS rating and not a consumer review score. See exactly how the score is calculated · full methodology · source files and load dates.

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