2/5
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.
2/5
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.
Peacefully surrounded by lush trees in Boston Road, North Billerica, MA, Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley is an outstanding community that offers skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Here, residents keep peace of mind with the community’s comprehensive care services tailored to their unique needs and preferences. With a compassionate and highly trained team available 24/7, residents receive the highest quality of care and assistance, ensuring their comfort and safety.
Residents are also encouraged to enjoy a variety of recreational activities and social events to keep them active and socially engaged. The community also offers fall prevention, wound care, medication management, post-surgical care, and therapy services, to meet residents’ ever-changing needs. Mealtimes also foster comfort and meet dietary needs, with delightful and nutritious meals. Make the most out of your best years surrounded by the community’s state-of-the-art amenities and cozy spaces.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This home is ranked 24th out of 93 homes in Massachusetts 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.
| Staff type | Hours / Day / Resident | vs state avg |
|---|---|---|
|
Registered Nurse (RN)
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.
| 35m per day | ▼ 10% State avg: 39m per day · National avg: 41m per day |
|
LPN / LVN
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.
| 1h 9m per day | ▲ 19% State avg: 58m per day · National avg: 52m per day |
|
Nurse Aide
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.
| 2h 28m per day | ▲ 9% State avg: 2h 16m per day · National avg: 2h 21m per day |
|
Weekend Total Nursing
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.
| 3h 43m per day | ▲ 8% State avg: 3h 27m per day · National avg: 3h 26m per day |
|
Physical Therapist
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.
| 5m per day | ▲ 15% State avg: 4m per day · National avg: 4m per day |
|
Weekend RN
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.
| 20m per day | ▼ 29% State avg: 28m per day · National avg: 29m per day |
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.
Reporting period: October 1 – December 31, 2025 (Q4 2025). Source: CMS Payroll-Based Journal report.
26% fewer staff per resident than Massachusetts average
5% better than Massachusetts average
This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.
Manages medical care and health needs.
All 11 RN Staff are full-time employees. No contractors work on this role.
11
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
7.9 hoursAssists with medical care and medications.
All 23 LPN Staff are full-time employees. No contractors work on this role.
23
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
9.5 hoursHelps with daily care and mobility.
All 59 CNA Staff are full-time employees. No contractors work on this role.
59
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
8.3 hours
This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.
Total hours from contractors
81 contractor hours this quarter
This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.
| Certified Nursing Assistant | 59 | 0 | 59 | 23,389 | 92 | 100% | 8.3 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | 23 | 0 | 23 | 10,400 | 92 | 100% | 9.5 |
| Registered Nurse | 11 | 0 | 11 | 3,143 | 92 | 100% | 7.9 |
| Other Dietary Services Staff | 11 | 0 | 11 | 2,432 | 92 | 100% | 6.8 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1,952 | 64 | 70% | 8.2 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1,375 | 88 | 96% | 7.8 |
| Dietitian | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1,037 | 72 | 78% | 8.2 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician | 3 | 0 | 3 | 732 | 62 | 67% | 7.4 |
| RN Director of Nursing | 2 | 0 | 2 | 567 | 60 | 65% | 8.6 |
| Administrator | 1 | 0 | 1 | 528 | 66 | 72% | 8 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 1 | 0 | 1 | 487 | 61 | 66% | 8 |
| Mental Health Service Worker | 1 | 0 | 1 | 480 | 60 | 65% | 8 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | 1 | 0 | 1 | 415 | 51 | 55% | 8.1 |
| Qualified Social Worker | 2 | 0 | 2 | 366 | 55 | 60% | 6.4 |
| Dental Services Staff | 1 | 0 | 1 | 301 | 42 | 46% | 7.2 |
| Speech Language Pathologist | 3 | 0 | 3 | 164 | 28 | 30% | 5.9 |
| Nurse Aide in Training | 3 | 0 | 3 | 139 | 14 | 15% | 8.7 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | 0 | 5 | 5 | 53 | 6 | 7% | 5.9 |
| Other Physician | 0 | 1 | 1 | 29 | 3 | 3% | 9.5 |
| Physical Therapy Aide | 1 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 5 | 5% | 4.5 |
Includes penalties issued in 2024
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 (Data as of Jan 2026)
278% higher than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: $72K
42% fewer fines than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 1.7
Serious action where Medicare and/or Medicaid temporarily stops payments for new residents until issues are fixed.
0
100% fewer payment denials than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 0.1
Penalties are imposed by CMS for violations of federal nursing home regulations.
1 penalty in the past 3 years
Dec 4, 2024 · $272K
Fines imposed for noncompliance, which can be assessed per day or per instance of violation.
Dec 4, 2024Last updated: Jan 2026
These measures show how residents usually do over time at this home, based on health outcomes and preventive care.
A composite score based on pressure ulcers, falls with injury, weight loss, walking ability decline, and activities of daily living decline.
5.1
50% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 10.2
A composite score based on activities of daily living decline, walking ability decline, and incontinence.
12.2
39% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 20.0
CMS star rating based on long-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = significantly above average, 1 star = significantly below average.
Percent of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased
8.3%
56% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 18.7%
Percent of long-stay residents whose ability to move independently worsened
5.8%
70% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 19.3%
Percent of low risk long-stay residents who lose control of their bowels or bladder
22.7%
In line with Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 22.1%
Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury
2.7%
25% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 3.6%
Percent of long-stay high risk residents with pressure ulcers
5.4%
15% worse than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 4.7%
Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection
1.4%
34% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 2.1%
Percent of long-stay residents who lose too much weight
3.4%
35% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 5.2%
Percent of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms
24.3%
127% worse than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 10.7%
Percent of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication
21.6%
6% worse than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 20.3%
Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine
99.7%
8% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 91.9%
Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
100.0%
5% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 94.8%
Number of hospitalizations per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
1.73
7% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 1.86
Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
1.39
10% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 1.54
CMS star rating based on short-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = much above average, 1 star = much below average.
Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine
100.0%
30% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 76.7%
Percent of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication
0.9%
30% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 1.3%
Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
100.0%
29% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 77.7%
Percentage of short-stay residents who were re-hospitalized after their nursing home admission.
30.1%
17% worse than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 25.8%
Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit.
9.0%
24% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 11.8%
Percentage of SNF residents who experience falls with major injury during their stay.
3.0%
288% worse than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 0.8%
Percentage of residents at or above expected ability to care for themselves at discharge.
75.7%
41% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 53.7%
Rate of successful return to home or community from a skilled nursing facility.
53.3%
5% better than Massachusetts averageMassachusetts average: 50.6%
Quality measures are calculated from Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. For most measures, lower percentages indicate better care quality.
46% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.
18% of new residents, often for short stays.
35% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.
Source: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Data as of Jan 2026)
Total residents
114Residents meet regularly to discuss policies, care quality, and activities
Organized group of residents that meets regularly to discuss facility policies, quality of life, and activities.
Data sourced from CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics quarterly report. Payer mix reflects the current resident census by primary payment source.
Historical financial and operational data for Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley from 2012–2024, based on CMS SNF Cost Reports.
Key figures below are for fiscal year ending in 03/2024.
Based on CMS SNF Cost Report for fiscal year ending in 03/2024.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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.
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 #36 / 96Payroll — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 36th out of 96 homes in Massachusetts. Shows total annual staff payroll benchmarked to the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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.
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 #43 / 96Payroll % — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 43rd out of 96 homes in Massachusetts. Shows payroll as a percentage of revenue versus the Massachusetts average. Well-run Massachusetts facilities typically land around 54–65% — the top third Statewide. Below 25% may signal understaffing or heavy agency use — read with Staffing ratings.Rankings are based only on facilities in Massachusetts 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.
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).
The home's total operating expense for the year — all the costs of running it, salaries included (CMS cost report, Worksheet G-3).
Pets Allowed
Housing Options: Private / Semi-Private Rooms
Building Type: Single-story
Beauty Services
Transportation Services
Housekeeping Services
Recreational Activities
Exercise Programs
Most residents typically stay for a few weeks or months before returning home or moving on.
New residents most often arrive under Medicare (46% of admissions), and a typical Medicare stay runs around 23 days.
Coverage residents most often arrive under.
Coverage residents most often leave under.
2.7 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Billerica's city center to Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley's address, calculated via Google Maps.
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The information below is reported by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs and Department of Public Health.
| The Leonard Florence Center | NH ADC HOS MC PC RC SNF | Chelsea (Admirals Hill) | 100
Facility
100
MA AVG
94
Rank
#94 / 280 |
96.7%
Facility
96.7%
MA AVG
82%
Rank
#4 / 96 | +18% | 4.76
Facility
4.76
MA AVG
3.93
Rank
#10 / 93 | 0% | +21% | $0
Facility
$0
MA AVG
$76.6k
Rank
#1 / 94 | 13
Facility
13
MA AVG
32.7
Rank
#17 / 93 | 4.3
Facility
4.3
MA AVG
7.2
Rank
#23 / 93 | - | 98 | - |
88
Facility
88
MA AVG
53
Rank
#63 / 499 | Adam Ernst | $20.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$20.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG
$17.4M
Rank
#27 / 96 | $14.3MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$14.3MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG
$6.5M
Rank
#16 / 96 | 69.6%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
69.6%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG
43.6%
Rank
#28 / 96 | 225775 | ||||
| CareOne at Concord | NH MC RC SNF | Concord (Old Road To Nine Acre Corner) | 135
Facility
135
MA AVG
94
Rank
#42 / 280 |
85.3%
Facility
85.3%
MA AVG
82%
Rank
#48 / 96 | +4% | 3.85
Facility
3.85
MA AVG
3.93
Rank
#43 / 93 | -77% | -2% | $7.9k
Facility
$7.9k
MA AVG
$76.6k
Rank
#50 / 94 | 4
Facility
4
MA AVG
32.7
Rank
#2 / 93 | 1.3
Facility
1.3
MA AVG
7.2
Rank
#1 / 93 | 1 | 128 | - |
24
Facility
24
MA AVG
53
Rank
#386 / 499 | - | $17.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$17.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG
$17.4M
Rank
#17 / 96 | $10.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$10.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG
$6.5M
Rank
#42 / 96 | 59.8%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
59.8%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG
43.6%
Rank
#93 / 96 | 225663 | ||||
| Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley | NH MC SNF | Littleton | 120
Facility
120
MA AVG
94
Rank
#63 / 280 |
85.4%
Facility
85.4%
MA AVG
82%
Rank
#47 / 96 | +4% | 4.16
Facility
4.16
MA AVG
3.93
Rank
#24 / 93 | -14% | +6% | $0
Facility
$0
MA AVG
$76.6k
Rank
#1 / 94 | 15
Facility
15
MA AVG
32.7
Rank
#21 / 93 | 5.0
Facility
5.0
MA AVG
7.2
Rank
#31 / 93 | - | 112 | - |
5
Facility
5
MA AVG
53
Rank
#486 / 499 | Shari Laroche | $14.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$14.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG
$17.4M
Rank
#28 / 96 | $10.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$10.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG
$6.5M
Rank
#40 / 96 | 70%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
70%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG
43.6%
Rank
#74 / 96 | 225569 | ||||
| Life Care Center of Acton | NH SNF | Acton (East Acton) | 155
Facility
155
MA AVG
94
Rank
#26 / 280 |
74.2%
Facility
74.2%
MA AVG
82%
Rank
#69 / 96 | -9% | 3.73
Facility
3.73
MA AVG
3.93
Rank
#58 / 93 | -51% | -5% | $0
Facility
$0
MA AVG
$76.6k
Rank
#1 / 94 | 16
Facility
16
MA AVG
32.7
Rank
#24 / 93 | 5.3
Facility
5.3
MA AVG
7.2
Rank
#34 / 93 | 1 | 125 | - |
39
Facility
39
MA AVG
53
Rank
#319 / 499 | Christopher Foye | $13.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$13.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG
$17.4M
Rank
#43 / 96 | $9.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$9.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG
$6.5M
Rank
#48 / 96 | 68.6%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
68.6%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
MA AVG
43.6%
Rank
#60 / 96 | 225191 | ||||
| Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley | NH | Billerica (North Billerica) | 124
Facility
124
MA AVG
94
Rank
#50 / 280 |
85.8%
Facility
85.8%
MA AVG
82%
Rank
#46 / 96 | +5% | 4.24
Facility
4.24
MA AVG
3.93
Rank
#24 / 93 | -38% | +8% | $161.9k
Facility
$161.9k
MA AVG
$76.6k
Rank
#89 / 94 | 31
Facility
31
MA AVG
32.7
Rank
#58 / 93 | 7.8
Facility
7.8
MA AVG
7.2
Rank
#63 / 93 | - | 104 | - |
40
Facility
40
MA AVG
53
Rank
#313 / 499 | Karen Babb | $13.9MFiscal year ending 03/2024
Facility
$13.9MFiscal year ending 03/2024
MA AVG
$17.4M
Rank
#38 / 96 | $9.3MFiscal year ending 03/2024
Facility
$9.3MFiscal year ending 03/2024
MA AVG
$6.5M
Rank
#36 / 96 | 66.7%Fiscal year ending 03/2024
Facility
66.7%Fiscal year ending 03/2024
MA AVG
43.6%
Rank
#43 / 96 | 225546 |
Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley is located in Billerica, Massachusetts.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in Massachusetts.
Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley is in the North Billerica neighborhood of Billerica.
Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley has a walk score of 40. Somewhat walkable. A few nearby services may be reachable on foot, but most trips require transportation.
Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley's occupancy is 85.8%.
Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley is registered as a for-profit in MA.
Yes — there are 5 photos of Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley in the photo gallery on this page.
Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley is located at 80 Boston Road North, Billerica, MA 01862.
(978) 667-2166 will put you in contact with the team at Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley.
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