
Report
TheVardellReport
Yellowstone River Nursing and Rehabilitation
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
2115 Central Ave
Billings, MT 59102

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
2115 Central Ave
Billings, MT 59102
Life by Vardell Presents
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Across 12 inspections from June 2023 to August 2026, state surveyors documented 60 findings at Yellowstone River Nursing and Rehabilitation; 60 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 5 enforcement actions in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 12 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 | 17 | 0 |
| 2025 | 5 | 23 | 3 |
| 2026 | 3 | 8 | 2 |
Chronology
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.
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
6 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
5 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
7 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $87,019 imposed August 28, 2025. 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 August 28, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed August 28, 2025. Status: Closed, November 18, 2025. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of August 28, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $12,763 imposed May 6, 2026. 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 August 28, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $15,340 imposed May 6, 2026. 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 August 28, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
4 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
6 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
16 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $12,444 imposed June 4, 2025. 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 July 18, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
6 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
6 findings
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
A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
Inspectors cited F689 in June 2023, July 2024, June 2025 and May 2026. This citation covers whether residents are protected from accident hazards and supervised closely enough to prevent accidents, including falls. The most serious of these was recorded at level J (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F550 in October 2023, March 2025 and August 2025. This citation covers residents’ right to dignity, to make their own choices and to communicate. 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.
Inspectors cited F880 in June 2023, October 2023 and July 2024. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. 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.
Inspectors cited F558 in October 2023 and July 2024. This citation covers whether the home reasonably accommodates each resident’s needs and preferences. 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.
Inspectors cited F584 in June 2023 and July 2024. This citation covers whether rooms and shared spaces are kept safe, clean, comfortable and homelike. 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.
Inspectors cited F610 in October 2023 and June 2025. This citation covers how the home responds to and investigates an allegation of abuse, neglect or mistreatment. 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.
Inspectors cited F637 in June 2023 and May 2026. The agency describes it this way: Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition. 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.
Inspectors cited F677 in December 2025 and August 2026. This citation covers help with bathing, dressing, eating and toileting for residents who cannot manage alone. 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.
Inspectors cited F692 in August 2025 and May 2026. This citation covers whether residents get enough food and fluids to stay healthy. The most serious of these was recorded at level G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F726 in June 2023 and June 2025. The agency describes it this way: 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. 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.
Inspectors cited F758 in October 2023 and December 2024. This citation covers how psychotropic drugs are used, including dose reductions and limits on as-needed orders. 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.
Inspectors cited F812 in July 2024 and August 2025. This citation covers how food is stored, prepared and served. None rose above level F (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
What changed in fall prevention and supervision after the last citation, and how do you check that it is still working?
Accident Hazards and Supervision: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level J.
How do staff learn each resident’s preferences, and how is a complaint about dignity handled?
Dignity and Resident Rights: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
How do you adjust rooms, schedules and routines to a resident’s needs and preferences?
Needs and Preferences: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What was done about the cleanliness citation, and how are rooms and shared spaces checked now?
A Clean, Homelike Setting: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
When an allegation is made, who investigates it, and how are residents protected in the meantime?
Investigating Alleged Violations: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F637 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F637: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How long do residents usually wait for help with bathing, dressing or the bathroom, and how is that tracked?
Help With Daily Living: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How are weight and fluid intake tracked, and what happens when a resident starts losing weight?
Nutrition and Hydration: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level G.
What changed after F726 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F726: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How many residents take psychotropic medications, and how often are doses reviewed for reduction?
Psychotropic Medications: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
May we see the kitchen, and what do your own sanitation checks look like week to week?
Kitchen and Food Safety: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
Insufficient nursing staff was cited in June 2023.
What led to the 2026 fine, and has it been paid?
A $12,763 civil money penalty was imposed May 6, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds five enforcement actions in the window.
The Evidence
Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the Montana state survey agency.
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Jun 22, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Oct 26, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Jul 18, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Dec 17, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Mar 27, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Jun 5, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Aug 28, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Nov 19, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Dec 31, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection May 6, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Jul 30, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Aug 27, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 275029
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowJune 22, 2023 – October 1, 2026
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.