Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia
Nursing Home & Skilled Nursing · Helena, MT
CMS overall rating Info The Overall CMS Rating is scored from 1 to 5 stars and 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.

Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia

Nursing Home & Skilled Nursing · Helena, MT
CMS overall rating Info The Overall CMS Rating is scored from 1 to 5 stars and 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.
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Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

Overview of Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia

Mount Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia emerges as a distinguished rehabilitation and skilled nursing care leader. Located in Helena, Montana, residents find an environment that embraces transitional and long-term care, fostering a sense of intimacy and comfort within this assisted living community. They are dedicated to enhancing each resident’s well-being and quality of life, and their mission centers on delivering personalized care. This commitment extends to patient-centered rehabilitation, supported by round-the-clock skilled nursing care.

Their dedicated excel at crafting customized treatment plans for every patient and resident, with a keen focus on individual needs and preferences. Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia boasts private and semi-private rooms, an array of activities, and many amenities thoughtfully designed to cater to individual needs. Experience the compassionate care and tailored support that define Mount Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia.

(406) 442-1350

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.
▼ 32.2% Below MT avg. ▼ 32.2% Below MT avg.Click 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.
▼ 29.8% Below MT avg. ▼ 29.8% Below MT avg.Click 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.
▼ 37.9% Below MT avg. ▼ 37.9% Below MT avg.Click 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.
▼ 32.6% Below MT avg. ▼ 32.6% Below MT avg.Click 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 Montana state averages

Total nursing care / resident Info This home is ranked 27th out of 34 homes in Montana. 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.
3h 20m per day
Rank #27 / 34Nurse hours — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 27th out of 34 homes in Montana. Shows adjusted nurse hours per resident per day benchmarked to the Montana average, with a ranking across 34 Montana SNFs. More hours mean more direct care. The national average is about 3.5 hrs; below 3.0 is a red flag.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
This facility Montana avg (4h 32m per day)
vs Montana avg
-26%

5 of 6 metrics below state avg

Standout metric LPN / LVN is +43% 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. 37m per day ▼ 34% State avg: 56m 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. 43m per day ▲ 43% State avg: 30m 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. 2h 0m per day ▼ 21% State avg: 2h 32m per day · National avg: 2h 21m 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. 3h 7m per day ▼ 11% State avg: 3h 29m per day · National avg: 3h 26m 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. 1m per day ▼ 75% State avg: 4m 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. 21m per day ▼ 49% State avg: 41m per day · National avg: 29m per day

Types of Care at Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia

Skilled Nursing

Capacity and availability

This home usually has availability

Occupancy lower than 85% suggests more openings may be available.

Lower occupancy than the Montana average: 61.7%
Occupancy rate 55.6% Rank #19 / 35Occupancy rate — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 19th out of 35 homes in Montana. Shows this facility's occupancy rate versus the Montana average, with its Statewide rank out of 35. Higher occupancy signals strong local demand and financial stability.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Avg. Length of Stay 89 days
Occupancy rate
55.6% Rank #19 / 35Occupancy rate — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 19th out of 35 homes in Montana. Shows this facility's occupancy rate versus the Montana average, with its Statewide rank out of 35. Higher occupancy signals strong local demand and financial stability.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Avg. Length of Stay
89 days
Walk Score
Walk Score: 30 / 100 Rank #103 / 159Walk Score — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 103rd out of 159 homes in Montana. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average Walk Score across Montana SNFs. Higher scores benefit residents, families, and staff.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Somewhat walkable. A few nearby services may be reachable on foot, but most trips require transportation.

About this community

Therapy & Rehabilitation

1 service
Rehabilitation Services

Dining & Nutrition

Food DescriptionMount Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia offers a variety of conveniences and amenities to make the experience as comfortable as possible for residents and their families.

Contact Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia

Staffing Data

Reporting period: October 1 – December 31, 2025 (Q4 2025). Source: CMS Payroll-Based Journal report.

Total staff 153
Employees 73
Contractors 80
Staff to resident ratio 2.47:1
33% better than Montana average
Montana average ratio: 1.86:1 Montana average ratio: 1.86:1See full Montana ranking
Avg staff/day 33
Average shift 8.4 hours
0% compared with Montana average
Montana average: 8.6 hours Montana average shift: 8.6 hoursSee full Montana ranking
Total staff hours (quarter) 25,481

Nursing staff breakdown

Q4 2025 · Oct 1 – Dec 31 More info This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.
Registered Nurse

Manages medical care and health needs.

RN Staff 27
Average shift length Info Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day. 9.3 hours

This role is partially covered by contractors.

Licensed Practical Nurse

Assists with medical care and medications.

LPN Staff 14
Average shift length Info Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day. 9.7 hours

This role is partially covered by contractors.

Certified Nursing Assistant

Helps with daily care and mobility.

CNA Staff 85
Average shift length Info Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day. 8.8 hours

This role is partially covered by contractors.

Contractor staffing

Q4 2025 · Oct 1 – Dec 31 More info This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.

Total hours from contractors

18%

4,587 contractor hours this quarter

Certified Nursing Assistant: 58 Registered Nurse: 15 Licensed Practical Nurse: 5 Occupational Therapy Assistant: 1 Medication Aide/Technician: 1

Staff by category

Q4 2025 · Oct 1 – Dec 31 More info This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.
Certified Nursing Assistant27588511,07292100%8.8
Licensed Practical Nurse95143,95592100%9.7
Registered Nurse1215273,44592100%9.3
Medication Aide/Technician3141,5097379%10.5
Physical Therapy Assistant4041,0056773%6
Clinical Nurse Specialist5056645661%8.1
Dental Services Staff2025567885%6.9
Dietitian1015376368%8.5
Administrator1015126470%8
Nurse Practitioner1015126470%8
Speech Language Pathologist2025026368%7
Other Dietary Services Staff1014646166%7.6
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist1014246166%6.9
Qualified Social Worker101953134%3.1
Nurse Aide in Training20290910%9.9
Respiratory Therapy Technician101824650%1.8
Occupational Therapy Assistant011593134%1.9
85 Certified Nursing Assistant
% of Days 100%
14 Licensed Practical Nurse
% of Days 100%
27 Registered Nurse
% of Days 100%
4 Medication Aide/Technician
% of Days 79%
4 Physical Therapy Assistant
% of Days 73%
5 Clinical Nurse Specialist
% of Days 61%
2 Dental Services Staff
% of Days 85%
1 Dietitian
% of Days 68%
1 Administrator
% of Days 70%
1 Nurse Practitioner
% of Days 70%
2 Speech Language Pathologist
% of Days 68%
1 Other Dietary Services Staff
% of Days 66%
1 Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
% of Days 66%
1 Qualified Social Worker
% of Days 34%
2 Nurse Aide in Training
% of Days 10%
1 Respiratory Therapy Technician
% of Days 50%
1 Occupational Therapy Assistant
% of Days 34%

Penalties and fines

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)

Total fines amount $122K Rank #30 / 35Federal fines — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 30th out of 35 homes in Montana. Shows this facility's cumulative CMS federal fine dollars versus the Montana average among facilities with fines, and where it ranks among 35 skilled nursing facilities in the pool. Lower total dollars mean a better rank.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
39% higher than Montana average

Montana average: $87K

Number of fines 3
29% more fines than Montana average

Montana average: 2.3

Payment Denials Info Serious action where Medicare and/or Medicaid temporarily stops payments for new residents until issues are fixed. 0
100% fewer payment denials than Montana average

Montana average: 0.2

Fines amount comparison
Fines amount comparison
This facility $122K
Montana average $87K
Penalty History

Penalties are imposed by CMS for violations of federal nursing home regulations.

2 penalties in the past 3 years

Multiple penalties were reported in the last 3 years.

Civil Money Penalty Info Fines imposed for noncompliance, which can be assessed per day or per instance of violation. Oct 16, 2024
$40K
Civil Money Penalty Info Fines imposed for noncompliance, which can be assessed per day or per instance of violation. May 21, 2024
$29K

Last updated: Jan 2026

Quality of care over time

These measures show how residents usually do over time at this home, based on health outcomes and preventive care.

High-risk clinical events score Info A composite score based on pressure ulcers, falls with injury, weight loss, walking ability decline, and activities of daily living decline. 15.4
38% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 11.2

Functional decline score Info A composite score based on activities of daily living decline, walking ability decline, and incontinence. 28.3
30% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 21.8

Long-stay resident measures
Significantly below average Montana avg: 3.0 Info CMS star rating based on long-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = significantly above average, 1 star = significantly below average.
Need for Help with Daily Activities Increased Info Percent of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased 31.0%
60% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 19.4%

Walking Ability Worsened Info Percent of long-stay residents whose ability to move independently worsened 24.6%
18% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 20.8%

Low Risk Residents with Bowel/Bladder Incontinence Info Percent of low risk long-stay residents who lose control of their bowels or bladder 29.2%
16% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 25.2%

Falls with Major Injury Info Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury 4.2%
In line with Montana average

Montana average: 4.3%

High Risk Residents with Pressure Ulcers Info Percent of long-stay high risk residents with pressure ulcers 6.7%
6% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 6.3%

Urinary Tract Infection Info Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection 1.9%
31% better than Montana average

Montana average: 2.8%

Lost Too Much Weight Info Percent of long-stay residents who lose too much weight 10.7%
75% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 6.1%

Depressive Symptoms Info Percent of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms 1.8%
61% better than Montana average

Montana average: 4.7%

Antipsychotic Use Info Percent of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication 19.9%
In line with Montana average

Montana average: 19.1%

Pneumococcal Vaccine Info Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine 77.8%
17% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 93.8%

Influenza Vaccine Info Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine 78.3%
16% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 93.7%

Hospitalizations per 1,000 days Info Number of hospitalizations per 1,000 long-stay resident days. 1.34
6% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 1.27

ED visits per 1,000 days Info Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1,000 long-stay resident days. 2.02
7% better than Montana average

Montana average: 2.17

Short-stay resident measures
Below average Montana avg: 2.3 Info CMS star rating based on short-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = much above average, 1 star = much below average.
Pneumococcal Vaccine Info Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine 52.8%
31% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 76.4%

Antipsychotic medication increase Info Percent of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication 1.4%
19% better than Montana average

Montana average: 1.8%

Influenza Vaccine Info Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine 48.5%
34% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 73.8%

Re-hospitalized after SNF stay Info Percentage of short-stay residents who were re-hospitalized after their nursing home admission. 21.1%
9% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 19.4%

Emergency department visits Info Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit. 16.6%
11% worse than Montana average

Montana average: 15.0%

Falls with major injury Info Percentage of SNF residents who experience falls with major injury during their stay. 0.0%
100% better than Montana average

Montana average: 0.8%

Ability to care for self at discharge Info Percentage of residents at or above expected ability to care for themselves at discharge. 57.8%
8% better than Montana average

Montana average: 53.7%

Successful return to home or community Info Rate of successful return to home or community from a skilled nursing facility. 50.6%
In line with Montana average

Montana average: 50.6%

Breakdown by payment type

Medicare

48% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.

Typical stay 1 months

Private pay

42% of new residents, often for short stays.

Typical stay 2 - 3 months

Medicaid

10% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.

Typical stay 1 - 2 years

Facility Characteristics

Source: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Data as of Jan 2026)

Total residents 62
Medicare
18
29% of residents
Medicaid
28
45.2% of residents
Private pay or other
16
25.8% of residents
Programs & Services
Residents Group

Residents meet regularly to discuss policies, care quality, and activities

Nurse Aide Training

State-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program on-site

Active Resident Council

Organized group of residents that meets regularly to discuss facility policies, quality of life, and activities.

Finances and operations

Privately-owned community
Operated by a business corporation.
Home revenue
$9.3M
Operating loss
-$51.7K
Privately-owned community Operated by a business corporation.
Home revenue
$9.3M Rank #9 / 31Revenue — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 9th out of 31 homes in Montana. Shows this facility's annual revenue compared to the Montana SNF average. Higher revenue generally means more resources for staffing and capital — read alongside Payroll %.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Operating loss
-$51.7K
Payroll costs Info The portion of the home's budget spent on staff, including nurses, caregivers, and other employees who support care and operations. Rank #12 / 31Payroll — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 12th out of 31 homes in Montana. Shows total annual staff payroll benchmarked to the Montana average. Higher payroll investment relative to peers often signals better staffing and less reliance on cheaper contract labor.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
$4.7M
51.2% of revenue Rank #23 / 31Payroll % — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 23rd out of 31 homes in Montana. Shows payroll as a percentage of revenue versus the Montana average. Well-run Montana SNFs typically land around 65–71% — the top third Statewide. Below 25% may signal understaffing or heavy agency use — read with Staffing ratings.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Other operating costs Info All remaining costs needed to run the home, such as food, utilities, building maintenance, supplies and administrative expenses.
$4.6M
Total costs $9.3M

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.

Places of interest near Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia

Address 2.3 miles from city center Info Estimated distance in miles from Helena's city center to Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia's address, calculated via Google Maps. — 0.13 miles to nearest hospital (East Entrance)

Calculate Travel Distance to Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia

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Financial Assistance for
Nursing Home in Montana

Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia is located in Helena, Montana.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in Montana.

Get Financial aid guidance

Big Sky Waiver

Montana Medicaid Big Sky Waiver

Age 65+ or disabled
General Montana 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).
MT

Rural state; limited providers in some areas.

Benefits
Personal care (5-7 hours/day) Respite (240 hours/year) Home modifications ($1,500 avg.) Meals ($6/meal)

Montana Community First Choice

MT CFC

Age 65+ or disabled
General Montana resident, Medicaid- eligible.
Income Limits ~$1,732/month individual, Medicaid threshold
Asset Limits $2,000 individual
MT

Less intensive than waiver; rural focus.

Benefits
Personal care (up to 40 hours/month) Homemaker services Respite (varies)

Big Sky Rx

Montana Big Sky Rx

Age 65+ or disabled
General Montana resident, enrolled in Medicare Part D, income below limit.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,510/month (individual), ~$3,380/month (couple).
Asset Limits Not assessed.
MT

Covers up to $38.75/month premium; statewide via AAAs.

Benefits
Prescription drug premium assistance (~$465/year) Reducing out-of-pocket costs

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Montana Medicare Savings Program

Age 65+ or disabled
General Montana 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).
MT

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

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

Montana Caregiver Support Program (via NFCSP)

Montana Caregiver Support Program

Age
General Caregivers of 60+ needing care or 55+ caregivers of others; Montana resident; functional needs (2+ ADLs).
Income Limits (2025) Prioritizes ~$24,980/year (individual); no strict cap.
Asset Limits Not assessed; need-based.
MT

10 AAAs; prioritizes low-income, rural caregivers.

Benefits
Respite (4-6 hours/week or 5 days/year) Adult day care ($50/day) Training Supplies (~$500/year)

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

Montana VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound

Age 65+ or disabled veteran/spouse
General Montana 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
MT

High veteran demand in rural areas.

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia

Is Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia in a walkable area?

Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia has a walk score of 30. Somewhat walkable. A few nearby services may be reachable on foot, but most trips require transportation.

Are there photos of Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia?

Yes — there is 1 photo of Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia in the photo gallery on this page.

What is the phone number of Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia?

(406) 442-1350 will put you in contact with the team at Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia.

Is Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia Medicare or Medicaid certified?

Yes — Mt. Ascension Transitional Care of Cascadia is a CMS-certified provider of Medicare and Medicaid.

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