Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley — nursing home in Billerica, MA

Facility type: Nursing home · SNF / NF
CMS provider type: Medicare and Medicaid
Certified beds: 124 CMS-certified beds (not state-licensed beds)
Licensed beds: State licensure is issued by the state survey agency. State license records are not yet ingested for this facility; the federal CMS certification is shown instead.
Average residents per day: 103.6 CMS, MDS-derived
CMS Certification Number: 225546
Certification status: Active CMS certification Verified
First approved (Medicare/Medicaid): Mar 15, 1992
Ownership type: For profit - Limited Liability company
Operator (legal business name): Merrimack Valley Operations, LLC
CMS chain: Life Care Centers of America 194 facilities
Phone: (978) 667-2166
Resident & family council: Resident
Sprinklers in all required areas: Yes
Official profile: Medicare Care Compare ↗

Inspection record · CMS window

Verified

Inspections

8

latest Apr 23, 2026

Citations

28

27 health · 1 fire

Harm or worse

4

no immediate jeopardy

Severity	Isolated	Pattern	Widespread
Immediate jeopardy	J·	K·	L·
Actual harm	G1	H3	I·
Potential harm	D12	E11	F·
Minimal	A·	B·	C1

CMS publishes about the three most recent standard surveys plus complaint and infection-control inspections from the prior three years. Older findings leave the dataset; their absence is not evidence they never happened.

CMS Five-Star ratings

Federal · CMS

Overall

Health inspections

Staffing

Quality measures

Penalties · about the last 3 years

Fines

1

$161,920

Payment denials

0

Latest

Dec 4, 2024

Federal certification

Federal · CMS

Authority: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), surveyed by the state survey agency
CCN: 225546
Program: Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare (SNF): Certified
Medicaid (NF): Certified
Certified beds: 124
First approved: Mar 15, 1992
Located in a hospital: No
Status: Active CMS certification as of CMS release Oct 1, 2026
Evidence: Verified

State license

State licensure is issued by the state survey agency. State license records are not yet ingested for this facility; the federal CMS certification is shown instead. State coverage for Massachusetts.

Federal certification and the state license are different records. A nursing home is licensed by the state and, separately, certified by CMS to bill Medicare and/or Medicaid. We link them by the CCN when the state publishes it; otherwise by exact address, house number and street, or exact name within the same ZIP, and label that link as inferred. Never by name alone.

CMS publishes about the three most recent standard surveys plus complaint and infection-control inspections from the prior three years. Older findings leave the dataset; their absence is not evidence they never happened.

Date	Domain	Survey types	Citations	Most severe	Open
Apr 23, 2026	Health	Health Complaint	1	Potential harm	—	Open →
Dec 10, 2025	Fire safety	Fire Safety Standard	0	No citations	—	Open →
Dec 10, 2025	Health	Health Standard	4	Potential harm	—	Open →
Aug 14, 2025	Health	Health Complaint	1	Potential harm	—	Open →
Dec 4, 2024	Fire safety	Fire Safety Standard	0	No citations	—	Open →
Dec 4, 2024	Health	Health Complaint, Health Standard	17	Actual harm	—	Open →
Nov 22, 2023	Fire safety	Fire Safety Standard	1	Minimal	—	Open →
Nov 22, 2023	Health	Health Standard	4	Potential harm	—	Open →

Enforcement

Penalties

Civil money penalties and denials of payment for new admissions, as published by CMS (about the last three years). Amounts may change on appeal.

Date	Type	Amount	Payment denial	Record
Dec 4, 2024	Civil money penalty (fine)	$161,920	—	225546\|Fine\|136375

Scope × severity

Severity	Isolated	Pattern	Widespread
Immediate jeopardy	J·	K·	L·
Actual harm	G1	H3	I·
Potential harm	D12	E11	F·
Minimal	A·	B·	C1

By concept

Date	Tag	Deficiency	Scope / severity	Correction	Flags
Apr 23, 2026	F-0580	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 · Resident rights & abuse/neglect	D · Potential harm Isolated	Corrected May 18, 2026	Complaint
Dec 10, 2025	F-0698	Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Clinical care	E · Potential harm Pattern	Corrected Dec 26, 2025
Dec 10, 2025	F-0760	Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors. Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Medication management	E · Potential harm Pattern	Corrected Dec 26, 2025
Dec 10, 2025	F-0761	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 · Medication management	D · Potential harm Isolated	Corrected Dec 26, 2025
Dec 10, 2025	F-0808	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 · Food, nutrition & hydration	D · Potential harm Isolated	Corrected Dec 26, 2025
Aug 14, 2025	F-0552	Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments. Resident Rights Deficiencies · Resident rights & abuse/neglect	E · Potential harm Pattern	Corrected Sep 5, 2025	Complaint
Dec 4, 2024	F-0600	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 · Resident rights & abuse/neglect	H · Actual harm Pattern	Corrected Jan 2, 2025	Complaint
Dec 4, 2024	F-0655	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 · Clinical care	G · Actual harm Isolated	Corrected Jan 2, 2025
Dec 4, 2024	F-0686	Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing. Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Clinical care	H · Actual harm Pattern	Corrected Jan 2, 2025	Complaint
Dec 4, 2024	F-0841	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 · Staffing & supervision	H · Actual harm Pattern	Corrected Jan 2, 2025	Complaint
Dec 4, 2024	F-0656	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 · Clinical care	D · Potential harm Isolated	Corrected Jan 2, 2025
Dec 4, 2024	F-0694	Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed. Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Clinical care	D · Potential harm Isolated	Corrected Jan 2, 2025
Dec 4, 2024	F-0698	Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Clinical care	D · Potential harm Isolated	Corrected Jan 2, 2025
Dec 4, 2024	F-0726	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 · Staffing & supervision	E · Potential harm Pattern	Corrected Jan 2, 2025	Complaint
Dec 4, 2024	F-0761	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 · Medication management	D · Potential harm Isolated	Corrected Jan 2, 2025
Dec 4, 2024	F-0812	Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Food, nutrition & hydration	E · Potential harm Pattern	Corrected Jan 2, 2025
Dec 4, 2024	F-0835	Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently. Administration Deficiencies · Administration & records	E · Potential harm Pattern	Corrected Jan 2, 2025	Complaint
Dec 4, 2024	F-0837	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 · Administration & records	E · Potential harm Pattern	Corrected Jan 2, 2025	Complaint
Dec 4, 2024	F-0838	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 · Administration & records	E · Potential harm Pattern	Corrected Jan 2, 2025	Complaint
Dec 4, 2024	F-0840	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 · Administration & records	D · Potential harm Isolated	Corrected Jan 2, 2025	Complaint
Dec 4, 2024	F-0842	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 · Clinical care	D · Potential harm Isolated	Corrected Jan 2, 2025
Dec 4, 2024	F-0865	Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities. Administration Deficiencies · Administration & records	E · Potential harm Pattern	Corrected Jan 2, 2025	Complaint
Dec 4, 2024	F-0880	Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. Infection Control Deficiencies · Infection prevention	E · Potential harm Pattern	Corrected Jan 2, 2025
Nov 22, 2023	F-0550	Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. Resident Rights Deficiencies · Resident rights & abuse/neglect	D · Potential harm Isolated	Corrected Dec 12, 2023
Nov 22, 2023	F-0756	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 · Medication management	D · Potential harm Isolated	Corrected Dec 12, 2023
Nov 22, 2023	F-0761	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 · Medication management	E · Potential harm Pattern	Corrected Dec 12, 2023
Nov 22, 2023	F-0842	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 · Clinical care	D · Potential harm Isolated	Corrected Dec 12, 2023
Nov 22, 2023	E-0041	Implement emergency and standby power systems. Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies · Emergency preparedness	C · Minimal Widespread	Corrected Dec 15, 2023

“Corrected” does not erase a citation: the historical finding stays listed with its disposition. Narrative statements of deficiencies are not part of the CMS dataset; see Care Compare for the official inspection report.

Five-Star ratings

Federal · CMS

Overallstate 3.1

Health inspectionsstate 3

Staffingstate 3.1

Quality measuresstate 3.3

Long-stay QM

Short-stay QM

CMS ratings apply to CMS-certified nursing homes only and are relative within each state. They are not a guarantee of any individual resident’s experience.

Nurse staffing · hours per resident per day

Total nurse staffing4.18

State avg 3.94US avg 3.90

Registered nurse (RN)0.68

State avg 0.66US avg 0.69

Licensed practical nurse0.99

State avg 0.97US avg 0.86

Nurse aide2.51

State avg 2.31US avg 2.35

Weekend total nurse3.71

State avg 3.52US avg 3.43

Reported from Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data, as published by CMS. Case-mix adjusted total: 3.76 (case-mix index 1.55).

Staff turnover

Total nursing staff turnover31.7%

State avg 37.6%US avg 45.3%

Registered nurse turnover42.1%

State avg 42.7%US avg 42.5%

Administrators who left0

State avg 0US avg 1

Health survey score

Cycle 1 standard survey: Dec 10, 2025
Cycle 1 health score: 28
Total weighted score: 76.75

Operating entity

Merrimack Valley Operations, LLC

CMS legal business name of the certified provider. Operates this facility only.

VerifiedLinked by exact legal name

CMS chain

Life Care Centers of America

194 facilities in 26 states. CMS chain ID 311.

VerifiedAssigned by CMS

Chain average overall rating (CMS): 3.4

Ownership disclosures

Disclosures

22

Organizations

1

Individuals

20

Direct & indirect ownership

Owners of record

Name	Type	Role (Carefield group)	CMS role text	Share	Since
Forrest Preston	Individual	Indirect owner	INDIRECT OWNERSHIP INTEREST	not provided	Aug 6, 2015

CMS Ownership file

All disclosed roles

Operator, owners, managers, officers and lenders are distinct roles and are never flattened into one entity. Organizations link across facilities by exact normalized legal name; individuals are listed per facility only.

Name	Type	Role (Carefield group)	CMS role text	Share	Since
Forrest Preston	Individual	Indirect owner	INDIRECT OWNERSHIP INTEREST	not provided	Aug 6, 2015
Moseline Faustin	Individual	Operational / managerial control	MANAGING CONTROL - GOVERNING BODY	not provided	May 22, 2023
Andrea Janiak	Individual	Operational / managerial control	MANAGING CONTROL - GOVERNING BODY	not provided	Aug 24, 2022
Zofia Long	Individual	Operational / managerial control	MANAGING CONTROL - GOVERNING BODY	not provided	Jul 1, 1999
Life Care Centers of America, Inc	Organization	Operational / managerial control	OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL	not provided	Aug 6, 2015
Moseline Faustin	Individual	Operational / managerial control	OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL	not provided	May 22, 2023
Noah Finkel	Individual	Operational / managerial control	OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL	not provided	Nov 1, 2021
Todd Fletcher	Individual	Operational / managerial control	OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL	not provided	May 1, 2021
Andrea Janiak	Individual	Operational / managerial control	OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL	not provided	Aug 24, 2022
Lisa Lay	Individual	Operational / managerial control	OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL	not provided	Apr 24, 2017
Zofia Long	Individual	Operational / managerial control	OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL	not provided	Jul 1, 1999
Aubrey Preston	Individual	Operational / managerial control	OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL	not provided	Nov 27, 2024
Forrest Preston	Individual	Operational / managerial control	OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL	not provided	Aug 6, 2015
Richard Swanker	Individual	Operational / managerial control	OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL	not provided	Jan 1, 2022
James Ziegler	Individual	Operational / managerial control	OPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROL	not provided	Aug 6, 2015
Cindy Cross	Individual	Corporate officer / director	CORPORATE OFFICER	not provided	Aug 6, 2015
Terry Henry	Individual	Corporate officer / director	CORPORATE OFFICER	not provided	Aug 6, 2015
Joan Thurmond	Individual	Corporate officer / director	CORPORATE OFFICER	not provided	Aug 6, 2015
Life Care Centers of America, Inc	Organization	Additional disclosable party	ADP OF THE SNF	not provided	Feb 12, 2025
Moseline Faustin	Individual	Additional disclosable party	ADP OF THE SNF	not provided	Feb 12, 2025
Noah Finkel	Individual	Additional disclosable party	ADP OF THE SNF	not provided	Mar 5, 2025
Forrest Preston	Individual	Additional disclosable party	ADP OF THE SNF	not provided	Jul 12, 2004

Same chain in Massachusetts

All 193 in chain →

Facility	Beds	Last inspection	Citations (window)	Fines
Life Care Center of Leominster 370 West Street, Leominster, MA 01453 CCN 225038	133	Apr 29, 2026	24	—
Life Care Center of Acton One Great Road, Acton, MA 01720 CCN 225191	155	Jul 21, 2025	271 harm	—
Life Care Center of the South Shore 309 Driftway Box 830, Scituate, MA 02066 CCN 225282	117	Apr 21, 2026	20	—
The Highlands 335 Nichols Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420 CCN 225315	168	Nov 25, 2025	28	—
The Oaks 4525 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford, MA 02745 CCN 225328	122	Mar 10, 2026	15	—
Life Care Center of the North Shore 111 Birch Street, Lynn, MA 01902 CCN 225529	123	Mar 19, 2026	33	—
Life Care Center of Wilbraham 2399 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095 CCN 225543	123	May 27, 2026	40	—
Life Care Center of Attleboro 969 Park Street, Attleboro, MA 02703 CCN 225564	123	Sep 23, 2025	14	—

No building or property record is linked to this facility yet. Parcel, assessor and building-permit joins will be added only where a valid site match exists.

Coordinates as published by CMS.

Address: 80 Boston Road, Billerica, MA 01862
ZIP: 01862
County: Middlesex County FIPS 25017
State: Massachusetts
Urban / rural (CMS): Urban

Within ~25 km

Nearby nursing homes

Facility	Distance	Beds	Last inspection	Citations (window)	Fines
New England Pediatric Care 78 Boston Road, North Billerica, MA 01862 CCN 225785	0 km	80	Apr 1, 2026	21	—
Sunny Acres Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Ctr 254 Billerica Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824 CCN 225494	2.3 km	93	May 6, 2025	42	—
Vantage at Lowell LLC 500 Wentworth Avenue, Lowell, MA 01852 CCN 225489	4.4 km	115	Jun 4, 2026	492 harm	$28k
Blaire House of Tewksbury 10 Erlin Terrace, Tewksbury, MA 01876 CCN 225548SFF Candidate	5 km	131	Apr 30, 2026	982 harm	$72k
Regalcare at Lowell 30 Princeton Boulevard, Lowell, MA 01851 CCN 225511	5.6 km	90	Mar 10, 2026	502 IJ	$92k
Palm Springs Post Acute 40 Parkhurst Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824 CCN 225508	6 km	124	Mar 26, 2026	38	—
Care One at Lowell 19 Varnum Street, Lowell, MA 01850 CCN 225224	6.6 km	160	May 14, 2026	40	—
Fairhaven Healthcare Center 476 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854 CCN 225458	7.1 km	169	Jun 15, 2026	981 harm	$15k

Source	Record	Facts	Evidence	Source release	Retrieved
CMS Provider Information US-CMS	225546	name, address, phone, certification, certified_beds, ownership_type, legal_business_name, chain	Verified	Oct 1, 2026	Nov 7, 2026
CMS Provider Information US-CMS	225546	ratings, staffing, health_survey_score Five-Star ratings and PBJ staffing apply to the CMS-certified universe only.	Verified	Oct 1, 2026	Nov 7, 2026

Record-level source links for CCN 225546

First seen by Carefield Nov 7, 2026 · last changed Nov 7, 2026. This record as JSON · Report a correction