Report
TheVardellReport
Life Care Center Of Merrimack Valley
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
80 Boston Road
Billerica, MA 01862
Report
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The Vardell Report.Life Care Center Of Merrimack Valley
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
- Provider Category
- Nursing home
- Location
- Billerica, MA
- Record Period
- 2023–2026
- Source Documents
- 7
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Summary
Across 5 inspections from November 2023 to April 2026, state surveyors documented 27 findings at Life Care Center Of Merrimack Valley; 27 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.
- Inspections
- 5
- 2023–2026, complaint and standard
- Findings
- 27
- Deficiencies cited by state inspectors
- Corrected
- 27
- Of 27 findings, with a recorded correction date
- Penalties
- 1
- 1 fine; payment not published
Findings by Year
- Findings
- Of which, actual harm (level G or above)
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 17 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What the Record Shows
- 27 of 27 findings have a recorded correction date.
- CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window: 1 fine of $161,920, its payment not published.
- 3 visits in this window included a complaint investigation. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
- The latest standard inspection, December 10, 2025, recorded 4 findings (most serious: Level E).
Report at a Glance
- Facility
- Life Care Center Of Merrimack Valley
- Address
- 80 Boston Road, Billerica, MA 01862
- CMS Certification Number
- 225546
- Provider Type
- Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
- Certified Beds
- 124
- Ownership
- For profit - Limited Liability company
- Record Window
- November 22, 2023 to October 1, 2026
Chronology
Inspection History
Every inspection in the record window, newest first. A finding is a deficiency an inspector cited. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
- 2026
Complaint investigation
1 finding
- F580Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 18, 2026
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2025
Standard health inspection
4 findings
- F698Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 26, 2025
- F760Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 26, 2025
- F761Ensure 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.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 26, 2025
- F808Ensure 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.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 26, 2025
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2025
Complaint investigation
1 finding
- F552Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 5, 2025
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2024
Standard health inspection
17 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
- F600Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.Level HActual harmCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F686Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.Level HActual harmCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F841Designate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility.Level HActual harmCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F655Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admittedLevel GActual harmCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F726Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F835Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F837Establish 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.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F838Conduct 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.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F865Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F656Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F694Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F698Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F761Ensure 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.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F840Employ 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.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 2, 2025
- F842Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 2, 2025
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $161,920 imposed December 4, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of December 4, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2023
Standard health inspection
4 findings
- F761Ensure 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.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 12, 2023
- F550Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 12, 2023
- F756Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 12, 2023
- F842Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 12, 2023
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Severity levels follow the CMS scope and severity grid. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy.
Context
Patterns Worth Examining
A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
- 1
Medication Labeling and Storage, Cited in Three Inspections
Inspectors cited F761 in November 2023, December 2024 and December 2025. This citation covers how drugs are labeled and kept locked, including controlled drugs. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
2324252526F761 across all 5 inspections, oldest to newest - 2
Dialysis Care, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F698 in December 2024 and December 2025. This citation covers care for residents who need dialysis. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
2324252526F698 across all 5 inspections, oldest to newest - 3
Medical Records, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F842 in November 2023 and December 2024. This citation covers whether resident records are complete, accurate and kept confidential. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
2324252526F842 across all 5 inspections, oldest to newest
For Your Next Visit
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
- 01
How are medications stored and secured, and who checks the medication carts?
Medication Labeling and Storage: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
- 02
How is dialysis care coordinated, and who monitors residents before and after treatment?
Dialysis Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
- 03
How can a family request a resident’s records, and how are they kept accurate?
Medical Records: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
- 04
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
No staffing citation appears in this window. Staffing levels are published separately by CMS and are worth asking about directly.
- 05
What led to the 2024 fine, and has it been paid?
A $161,920 civil money penalty was imposed December 4, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid.
The Evidence
Sources and Coverage
Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the Massachusetts state survey agency.
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Nov 22, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Dec 4, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Aug 14, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Dec 10, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Massachusetts state survey agency
Inspection Apr 23, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Penalties, Provider Data CatalogView Dataset ↗
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Provider Information, Provider Data CatalogView Dataset ↗
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 225546
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Coverage
Record windowNovember 22, 2023 – October 1, 2026
- CMS publishes about three inspection cycles; inspections before November 2023 are not in this release.
- CMS refreshes these files monthly, after statements of deficiencies are processed, so an inspection from the last two months may not appear yet.
What This Report Cannot Tell You
- Complaints not investigated onsite
- Allegations screened out by the state before an onsite visit are not published.
- Complaint allegations
- CMS publishes the deficiencies a complaint survey cited, not the allegation itself.
- Facility-reported incidents
- Self-reported incidents appear only if they led to an inspection.
- Follow-up visits
- CMS's files list standard, complaint and infection control surveys, not revisits; a correction date is the one CMS records.
- Fire safety inspections
- Published by CMS separately and not included in this record yet.
- Staffing levels and ownership history
- Published by CMS separately and not included in this record.
- Whether fines were paid
- CMS publishes the fines imposed, not whether or when they were paid.
Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.
Data architecture: Cierto supplies the source-backed machine-readable bundle. Life by Vardell independently creates the narrative, design, and consumer report.