Overview
Buchanan County Health Center has a Medicare overall rating of 5 out of 5, above the Iowa average of 3.1. It is the highest-rated of the 2 nursing homes in Independence. It scores best on staffing (5 of 5) and lowest on quality of care (2 of 5).
Residents receive about 4.3 hours of nursing care per day, more than at 80% of nursing homes in Iowa (the state average is 3.9 hours). Of that, 1.2 hours come from registered nurses.
Its most recent standard inspection, on March 19, 2026, found 1 health deficiency, fewer than the Iowa average of 6.5. Medicare records 1 fine totaling $4,011 in the past three years.
Buchanan County Health Center is a government-run facility with 39 certified beds, caring for about 34 residents on an average day. It accepts Medicaid and has participated since 1974. It is located inside a hospital.
Medicare ratings
- Health inspections
- Quality of care
- Staffing
Source: Medicare Care Compare, data as of October 1, 2026.
How it compares nearby
Ranked by Medicare overall rating, then quality, inspection and staffing ratings.
Top 50%
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Family reviews
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Inspections and penalties
- Most recent standard inspection
- March 19, 2026
- Health deficiencies cited
- 1
- Complaint-related deficiencies
- 0
- Fines in the last 3 years
- 1 totaling $4,011
- Payment denials
- 0
- Total penalties
- 1
Staffing
Average hours of care each resident receives per day.
- All nursing staff4.30 hrs
- Registered nurses (RN)1.22 hrs
- Licensed practical nurses (LPN)0.30 hrs
- Nurse aides2.79 hrs
- Physical therapists0.00 hrs
Facility details
- Ownership
- Government - County
- Certified beds
- 39
- Average residents per day
- 34
- Participates in
- Medicaid
- Medicare/Medicaid since
- October 1, 1974
- Inside a hospital
- Yes
- Continuing care retirement community
- No
- Changed ownership in last 12 months
- No
- Resident or family council
- Resident
- Sprinklers in all required areas
- Yes