Avantara Pierre
Assisted Living, Hospice Care, Memory Care, Nursing Home & Skilled Nursing · Pierre, SD
CMS overall rating Info CMS (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) is the federal agency that rates nursing home quality. Its Overall Rating runs from 1 to 5 stars, combining health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most heavily.

Avantara Pierre

Assisted Living, Hospice Care, Memory Care, Nursing Home & Skilled Nursing · Pierre, SD
CMS overall rating Info CMS (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) is the federal agency that rates nursing home quality. Its Overall Rating runs from 1 to 5 stars, combining health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most heavily.
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Avantara Pierre accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

Overview of Avantara Pierre

Avantara Pierre, located at 950 East Park Street in Pierre, is a 65-bed nursing home in Hughes County that opened in 2025 under the administration of Chase Watson. Operating primarily as a short-term rehabilitation facility, it admits residents across a Medicare-majority population (53 percent), supplemented by private-pay and Medicaid placements, with a typical stay of 212 days. The facility lies close to Avera St. Mary’s Hospital, 0.13 miles away, providing ready access to acute care. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

Staffing presents a significant challenge. The facility delivers 2 hours 36 minutes of total nursing care per resident daily, which is well below South Dakota’s 3-hour-46-minute benchmark and among the lowest in the state (ranked 56th of 57 facilities). Weekend coverage narrows further to 2 hours 27 minutes per day. This staffing constraint aligns with broader performance gaps: health inspection ratings run 21.6 percent below state norms, and overall CMS ratings trail benchmarks by 20.3 percent.

One bright spot: quality measures like hospital readmissions, falls, mobility gains outperform state averages by 9.9 percent, suggesting clinical management compensates despite lean staffing. No federal penalties or payment denials have been issued over the past three years.

The facility’s clinical footprint spans seven specialized programs: post-surgical and short-term rehabilitation, stroke and neurological recovery, cardiac care, oncology support, pulmonary services, and orthopedic rehabilitation, alongside a memory care unit.

Room options include private and semi-private suites; community spaces, high-speed Wi-Fi, and on-site salon services support daily living.

Avantara Pierre orients toward post-acute rehabilitation in a newer operational environment where short-stay clinical recovery is prioritized and specialized programming is available.

Quality ratings

Measured by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Overall rating Info The Overall CMS Rating combines results from health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
▼ 26.4% Below SD avg. ▼ 26.4% Below SD avg.SD average: 2.7Click the badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Health Inspection Info Based on the results of the facility's three most recent standard inspections and any complaint investigations. CMS reviews the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies, with more recent findings weighted more heavily.
▼ 26.1% Below SD avg. ▼ 26.1% Below SD avg.SD average: 2.7Click the badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Staffing Info Measures average nursing staff hours per resident per day, including Registered Nurses (RNs) and total nursing staff. Ratings are adjusted based on the level of care residents require and are compared to state and national benchmarks.
▼ 9.5% Below SD avg. ▼ 9.5% Below SD avg.SD average: 3.3Click the badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Quality Measures Info Based on clinical and physical health indicators reported to CMS, such as hospital readmissions, falls, pressure ulcers, and improvements in mobility. These measures reflect how well residents' health needs are being managed.
▼ 26.6% Below SD avg. ▼ 26.6% Below SD avg.SD average: 2.7Click the badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.

Staffing hours breakdown

Info Daily nursing hours per resident by staff type, reported to CMS. Higher is generally better — compare this facility to state and national averages to see where staffing stands.

Hours per resident per day — compared to South Dakota state averages

Total nursing care / resident Info This home is ranked 64th out of 65 homes in South Dakota for nurse hours. Total adjusted nursing hours per resident per day, combining RN, LPN, and aide time. CMS adjusts this for case-mix so facilities can be fairly compared.
2h 36m per day
Rank #64 / 65Nurse hours — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 64th out of 65 homes in South Dakota. Shows adjusted nurse hours per resident per day benchmarked to the South Dakota average, with a ranking across 65 South Dakota facilities. More hours mean more direct care. The national average is about 3.5 hrs; below 3.0 is a red flag.Rankings are based only on facilities in South Dakota that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
This facility South Dakota avg (4h 20m per day)
vs South Dakota avg
-40%

5 of 6 metrics below state avg

Standout metric Physical Therapist is +290% above state avg
Staff typeHours / Day / Residentvs state avg
Registered Nurse (RN) Info RNs hold the highest nursing license and can assess residents, interpret test results, and direct care plans. More RN hours per day often signals stronger clinical oversight and faster response to health changes. 44m per day ▼ 11% State avg: 49m per day · National avg: 41m per day
LPN / LVN Info Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) deliver routine hands-on care — medication administration, wound dressing, and monitoring vital signs. They work under RN supervision and make up a large share of daily bedside care. 25m per day ▼ 12% State avg: 29m per day · National avg: 52m per day
Nurse Aide Info Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) provide the most direct day-to-day assistance: bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility. Nurse aide hours are typically the largest staffing category and directly affect residents' quality of life. 1h 44m per day ▼ 32% State avg: 2h 34m per day · National avg: 2h 20m per day
Weekend Total Nursing Info Combined nursing hours (RN + LPN + Nurse Aide) per resident per day on weekends. Staffing often drops on weekends — this figure reveals whether the facility maintains adequate coverage outside of weekday hours. 2h 27m per day ▼ 28% State avg: 3h 23m per day · National avg: 3h 27m per day
Physical Therapist Info Hours per resident per day provided by licensed Physical Therapists (PTs) or PT Assistants. PT services help residents recover mobility after injury or illness and are especially important for post-acute (short-stay) rehabilitation. 12m per day ▲ 290% State avg: 3m per day · National avg: 4m per day
Weekend RN Info Registered nurse hours specifically on weekends. Facilities sometimes reduce RN presence on Saturdays and Sundays — a low weekend RN figure compared to weekday hours can indicate reduced clinical oversight when most administrative staff are absent. 30m per day ▼ 4% State avg: 31m per day · National avg: 29m per day

Capacity and availability

Avg. Length of Stay Info Average number of days residents stay at this facility, based on CMS cost report data. Shorter stays often reflect post-acute or rehab care; longer stays reflect long-term care.
212 days
Bed community size
65-bed community Rank #51 / 117Bed count — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 51st out of 117 homes in South Dakota. Shows this facility's certified or reported bed count compared to other South Dakota facilities. Larger communities may offer more amenities, programs, and on-site services for residents and families.Rankings are based only on facilities in South Dakota that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A moderately sized community that may balance personal attention with shared amenities and social activities.
Years in operation
1 year in operation Rank #14 / 51Years in operation — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 14th out of 51 homes in South Dakota. Shows how long this facility has been in operation compared to other South Dakota facilities. Longer operating histories may benefit residents, families, and staff.Rankings are based only on facilities in South Dakota that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A newer community that may feature more recent facilities and programs.
Walk Score
Walk Score: 57 / 100 Rank #44 / 159Walk Score — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 44th out of 159 homes in South Dakota. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average Walk Score across South Dakota facilities. Higher scores benefit residents, families, and staff.Rankings are based only on facilities in South Dakota that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.

About this community

Occupancy

Occupancy rate
79%
Rank #37 / 62Occupancy rate — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 37th out of 62 homes in South Dakota. Shows this facility's occupancy rate versus the South Dakota average, with its Statewide rank out of 62. Higher occupancy signals strong local demand and financial stability.Rankings are based only on facilities in South Dakota that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Similar to the South Dakota average: 79.9%
Occupied beds
51 / 65
Average occupied beds in South Dakota homes 51 beds

License Details

Facility TypeNursing Home
IssuanceJanuary 7, 2025
ExpirationJune 30, 2026 Expired
CountyHughes
License Number10663

Ownership & Operating Entity

Avantara Pierre is administered by Chase Watson.

Therapy & Rehabilitation

2 services
Rehabilitation Services
Short-Term Rehab

Amenities & Lifestyle

Private And Semi-Private Suites
Community Spaces For Family Gatherings
High-Speed Wi-Fi
On-Site Salon Services
Specific ProgramsPost-Surgical Care, Stroke & Other Neurological Conditions, Cardiac Care, Oncology Recovery Care, Pulmonary Care, Orthopedic Rehabilitation

Contact Avantara Pierre

Penalties and fines

Federal penalties imposed by CMS for regulatory violations, including civil money penalties (fines) and denials of payment for new Medicare/Medicaid admissions.

Source: CMS Penalties Database

No penalties in the past 3 years

No civil money penalties or payment denials were reported in the last 3 years.

Breakdown by payment type

Medicare

53% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.

Typical stay 2 - 3 months

Private pay

30% of new residents, often for short stays.

Typical stay 7 - 8 months

Medicaid

16% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.

Typical stay 2 years

Finances and operations

Based on CMS SNF Cost Report for fiscal year ending in 12/2023.

For-profit
Operated by a single business entity.
Net patient revenue Info Net patient revenue — what the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts are subtracted from its gross charges (CMS cost report, Worksheet G-3). It covers resident care only; money the home earns from other sources is shown separately as "Other income."
$6.7M
Net patient income Info Net patient income: net patient revenue minus the home's total operating expenses. A positive figure means it earns more from resident care than it spends to deliver it; a negative figure means the opposite. It excludes non-operating "other income."
$680.5K
For-profit Operated by a single business entity.
Net patient revenue Info Net patient revenue — what the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts are subtracted from its gross charges (CMS cost report, Worksheet G-3). It covers resident care only; money the home earns from other sources is shown separately as "Other income."
$6.7M Rank #22 / 63Revenue — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 22nd out of 63 homes in South Dakota. Shows this facility's annual revenue compared to the South Dakota average. Higher revenue generally means more resources for staffing and capital — read alongside Payroll %.Rankings are based only on facilities in South Dakota that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Net patient income Info Net patient income: net patient revenue minus the home's total operating expenses. A positive figure means it earns more from resident care than it spends to deliver it; a negative figure means the opposite. It excludes non-operating "other income."
$680.5K
Other income Info Money the home earns outside of resident care — such as investments, grants, rentals and other non-operating sources (CMS cost report, Worksheet G-3). It is tracked separately from net patient revenue: it is not part of that figure, and it is not included in net patient income.
$310
Payroll costs Info Staff salaries plus wage-related costs — benefits such as payroll taxes, health insurance and retirement — from the home's own accounting records (CMS cost report, Worksheet A). Contract or agency labor is counted separately, under other operating costs. Rank #31 / 63Payroll — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 31st out of 63 homes in South Dakota. Shows total annual staff payroll benchmarked to the South Dakota average. Higher payroll investment relative to peers often signals better staffing and less reliance on cheaper contract labor.Rankings are based only on facilities in South Dakota that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
$3.2M 47.6% of net patient revenue Info Payroll as a share of revenue: staff salaries and wage-related benefits divided by net patient revenue. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Rank #59 / 63Payroll % — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 59th out of 63 homes in South Dakota. Shows payroll as a percentage of revenue versus the South Dakota average. Well-run South Dakota facilities typically land around 64–73% — the top third Statewide. Below 25% may signal understaffing or heavy agency use — read with Staffing ratings.Rankings are based only on facilities in South Dakota that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Other operating costs Info Everything it costs to run the home apart from payroll — food, utilities, supplies, maintenance, contract labor and administration. Calculated as total operating expense minus payroll (staff salaries and wage-related benefits).
$2.8M
Total costs Info The home's total operating expense for the year — all the costs of running it, salaries included (CMS cost report, Worksheet G-3).
$6.0M

Who this home usually serves

TYPE OF STAY

Mostly short-term rehab stays

Most residents typically stay for a few weeks or months before returning home or moving on.

Most new residents arrive under Medicare (53% of admissions), and a typical Medicare stay runs around 2 - 3 months.

Admissions
92 total

Coverage residents most often arrive under.

Medicare 53%
Private pay 30%
Medicaid 16%
Discharges
98 total

Coverage residents most often leave under.

Medicare 39%
Private pay 31%
Medicaid 31%

Places of interest near Avantara Pierre

Address 0.9 miles from city center Info Estimated distance in miles from Pierre's city center to Avantara Pierre's address, calculated via Google Maps. — 0.13 miles to nearest hospital (Avera St. Mary's Hospital)

Calculate Travel Distance to Avantara Pierre

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Address

Financial Assistance for
Assisted Living in South Dakota

Avantara Pierre is located in Pierre, South Dakota.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in South Dakota.

Get Financial aid guidance

Home and Community Based Services Waiver

SD Medicaid HCBS Waiver

Age 65+ or disabled
General South Dakota resident, Medicaid-eligible, nursing home-level care need.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
SD

Sparse population aids rural access; limited providers.

Benefits
Personal care (5-7 hours/day) Respite (240 hours/year) Adult day care (~$60/day) Home aides

South Dakota Elderly Services Program

SD ESP

Age 60+
General South Dakota resident, at risk of decline.
Income Limits ~$1,732/month individual, varies
Asset Limits $5,000 individual
SD

Limited funding; rural focus.

Benefits
In-home care (2-4 hours/week) Respite (up to 5 days/year) Transportation (~5 trips/month)

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

South Dakota Medicare Savings Program

Age 65+ or disabled
General SD resident, Medicare Part A/B.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,510/month (QMB), ~$3,380/month (SLMB), ~$3,598/month (QI)—individual.
Asset Limits $9,430 (individual), $14,130 (couple).
SD

Three tiers; includes Extra Help for Part D; no waitlist.

Benefits
Covers Part B premiums ($174.70/month) Deductibles ($240/year) Copays (~20%)

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

South Dakota LIEAP

Age 60+ prioritized
General SD resident, low-income household.
Income Limits (2025) ~$3,970/month individual, 185% FPL
Asset Limits Not assessed; income-focused.
SD

Covers gas, electric, propane; weatherization add-on available.

Benefits
Heating/cooling aid ($300-$1,000/season) Emergency aid ($500 max)

Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP)

South Dakota Family Caregiver Support Program

Age
General Caregivers of 60+ needing care or 55+ caregivers of others; SD resident; functional needs (2+ ADLs).
Income Limits (2025) No strict cap; prioritizes low-income ~$24,980/year
Asset Limits Not assessed; need-based.
SD

Rural emphasis; includes grandparent caregivers.

Benefits
Respite (4-6 hours/week or 5 days/year) Adult day care ($60/day) Training Supplies (~$500/year)

VA Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound Benefits

South Dakota VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound

Age 65+ or disabled veteran/spouse
General SD resident, wartime service, need for ADL help (A&A) or homebound.
Income Limits (2025) Net income < ~$1,984/month (veteran with dependent, A&A); pension offsets income.
Asset Limits ~$155,356 net worth limit
SD

Supports rural veterans; high demand near Sioux Falls VA.

Benefits
Cash (~$1,433-$2,642/month veteran, ~$951-$1,318 spouse) for care costs (e.g., in-home, assisted living)

Property Tax Reduction Program

South Dakota Property Tax Reduction from Municipal Taxes

Age 65+ (or disabled) by Jan 1
General SD resident entire prior year, homeowner/renter.
Income Limits (2025) ~$20,192/year (single), ~$24,679/year (multiple-member household).
Asset Limits Not assessed; income-focused.
SD

Refunds up to $575; ~10,000 seniors benefit annually.

Benefits
Tax refund (~$250-$575/year based on income)

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

South Dakota SFMNP

Age 60+
General SD resident, low-income.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,322/month individual, 185% FPL
Asset Limits Not assessed.
SD

Vouchers (~$50/season); serves ~5,000 annually via 6 AAAs.

Benefits
Vouchers (~$50/season) for fresh produce at approved markets

Freeze on Assessments for Dwellings of Disabled and Senior Citizens

South Dakota Property Tax Freeze

Age 65+ (or disabled)
General SD resident 200+ days prior year, homeowner.
Income Limits (2025) ~$35,000/year (single), ~$45,000/year (multiple-member household).
Asset Limits Property value < $250,000 (single), $300,000 (multiple).
SD

Saves ~$300-$600/year avg.; applies to primary residence.

Benefits
Assessment freeze (~$300-$600/year savings)

Older Americans Act (OAA) Services

South Dakota OAA Services

Age 60+
General SD resident (or spouse of any age); no income/asset limits.
Income Limits (2025) None; donations encouraged for some services.
Asset Limits Not assessed.
SD

6 AAAs; rural focus due to sparse population.

Benefits
Meals (home-delivered or congregate, ~$5-$7/meal value) Transportation Homemaker services (~4 hours/week) Respite (~5 days/year) Legal aid

Frequently Asked Questions about Avantara Pierre

Is Avantara Pierre in a walkable area?

Avantara Pierre has a walk score of 57. Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.

What is the license number of Avantara Pierre?

According to SD state health department records, Avantara Pierre's license number is 10663.

When does Avantara Pierre's license expire?

According to SD state health department records, Avantara Pierre's license expires on June 30, 2026.

What is the occupancy rate at Avantara Pierre?

Avantara Pierre's occupancy is 79%.

Does Avantara Pierre operate as a for-profit or non-profit?

Avantara Pierre is registered as a for-profit in SD.

Who is the administrator of Avantara Pierre?

Chase Watson is the administrator of Avantara Pierre.

How many beds does Avantara Pierre have?

Avantara Pierre has 65 beds.

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