Mt. Baker Care Center
Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Palliative Care, Respite Care & Skilled Nursing · Bellingham, WA
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.

Mt. Baker Care Center

Nursing Home, Assisted Living, Palliative Care, Respite Care & Skilled Nursing · Bellingham, WA
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.
Mt. Baker Care Center accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay.
Mt. Baker Care Center accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private pay.

Overview of Mt. Baker Care Center

The license at Mt. Baker Care Center in Bellingham, WA, covers skilled nursing, respite care, assisted living, palliative care, and nursing home care. The building stands in the South Bellingham neighborhood, and at 47 beds, it’s on the small side.

Skilled nursing means licensed nurses working on the premises. Rehabilitation Services and Short-Term Rehab are also on the service list, so a resident’s therapy can happen in the building instead of at another facility.

Every room here is private. Assisted living provides help in that room for specific tasks, such as bathing, getting dressed, or managing medication. Palliative care is a different sort of help, aimed at comfort and at keeping symptoms under control for someone seriously ill.

Respite gets booked by whoever does the caregiving at home, for the duration when they’re traveling or getting over something of their own. With five kinds of care on one license, a resident whose needs change over time can stay put while the care changes around them.

Days can bring group excursions, gardening, sing-alongs, and a Sunday worship service, and Enrichment Activities is a named program on top of that. Nearly everything that reaches the table is cooked from scratch, much of it with locally grown produce.

Most errands mean a car or somebody driving, since 44 on Walk Score counts as car-dependent. The home takes private pay, Medicare, and Medicaid. Nursing time per resident runs to 4 hours and 22 minutes a day, and Catherine Reis-El Bara is the administrator in charge.

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.
▲ 51.5% Above WA avg. ▲ 51.5% Above WA avg.WA average: 3.3Click 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.
▲ 75.3% Above WA avg. ▲ 75.3% Above WA avg.WA average: 2.9Click 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.
▲ 37.1% Above WA avg. ▲ 37.1% Above WA avg.WA average: 3.6Click 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.
▲ 22.5% Above WA avg. ▲ 22.5% Above WA avg.WA average: 4.1Click the badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.

Staffing Info Data period: Q4 2025 (October 1 – December 31, 2025).
Nursing care per resident per day and state rankings: CMS Provider Information.
Headcount, shifts and contractors: CMS Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ).
Resident count: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (data as of Jun 2026).

Total nursing care per resident / day Info This nursing home is ranked 18th out of 60 nursing homes we track in Washington 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.
↑ 2% · WA 4h 17mThis facility: 4h 22m per resident per day, 2% above the Washington average of 4h 17m (among Washington facilities reporting a recent figure).Green: 5% or more better than the state average. Yellow: within 5%. Red: 5% or more worse. Rank #18 / 60Nurse hours — State benchmarked This nursing home is ranked 18th out of 60 nursing homes we track in Washington for nurse hours. Shows adjusted nurse hours per resident per day benchmarked to the Washington average, with a ranking across 60 Washington facilities. More hours mean more direct care. The national average is about 3.5 hrs; below 3.0 is a red flag. Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings compare like with like: every nursing home we track in Washington that reports data for that category. Nursing homes without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.
4h 22m

Standout metric: Physical therapist is +114% above Washington average

2 of 6 metrics below Washington average

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 Assistant5905916,10892100%7.5
Registered Nurse170174,65492100%7.5
Licensed Practical Nurse110113,84892100%6.9
Dental Services Staff4041,2366470%7.7
Clinical Nurse Specialist5051,0878289%5.7
Other Dietary Services Staff6069638491%6.7
Qualified Social Worker2028936773%7.4
Speech Language Pathologist2028777480%7.4
Respiratory Therapy Technician5058317379%6.7
Physical Therapy Assistant7076307076%6.9
RN Director of Nursing3035146975%4.4
Nurse Practitioner1014325459%8
Dietitian1014205257%8.1
Administrator1013764751%8
Physical Therapy Aide2023706571%5.3
Nurse Aide in Training1012713841%7.1
Medication Aide/Technician3032241921%8
Occupational Therapy Aide101742527%2.9
Medical Director0115678%8
59 Certified Nursing Assistant
Coverage 100%
17 Registered Nurse
Coverage 100%
11 Licensed Practical Nurse
Coverage 100%
4 Dental Services Staff
Coverage 70%
By The Numbers

Community insights.

Bed count Info A smaller, more intimate setting that may offer a quieter environment and closer staff-resident interactions. 47 Rank #60 / 69Bed count — State benchmarked This nursing home is ranked 60th out of 69 nursing homes we track in Washington for bed count. Shows this facility's certified or reported bed count compared to other Washington facilities. Larger communities may offer more amenities, programs, and on-site services for residents and families. Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings compare like with like: every nursing home we track in Washington that reports data for that category. Nursing homes without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.

Smaller home · May offer a more intimate, personalized care environment.

Walk Score Info Car-dependent. A few nearby services may be reachable on foot, but most trips require transportation. Rank #49 / 80Walk Score — State benchmarked This nursing home is ranked 49th out of 80 nursing homes we track in Washington for walk score. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average walk score across Washington facilities. Higher scores benefit residents, families, and staff. Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings compare like with like: every nursing home we track in Washington that reports data for that category. Nursing homes without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.
44 / 100
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.
79 days

About This Community

License Details

CountyWhatcom
License Number1606
CMS Certification Number505376

Awards

Best in Senior Living for both Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing in Whatcom County

Leadership

ContactMcMains, Elizabeth M. (per state records, record updated Jul 2026)

Payment & Insurance

2 services
Accept Medicaid
Accept Medicare

Therapy & Rehabilitation

1 service
Short-Term Rehab

Memory & Specialized Care

1 service
Palliative CareCare focused on relieving pain, symptoms, and stress while supporting quality of life. It can be provided alongside treatment for a serious illness.

Additional Services

1 service
Respite CareRespite care provides families and unpaid caregivers with short-term relief from caregiving duties. Care can range from a few hours to a few weeks.

Additional Policies & Features

Pets not allowed

Amenities & Lifestyle

Activities
Excursions
Gardening
Sing-Alongs

Faith & Spiritual Life

Sunday Services

Room Accommodations

Building TypeSingle-story
Room Types
Private Rooms

Contact Mt. Baker Care Center

Inspections

CMS Health Inspection History

Since 2023 · 3 years of data · Last health inspection May 2026

Total health inspections
7 ↓ 20% · WA 8.7This facility: 7, 20% below the Washington average of 8.7 (among Washington facilities reporting a recent figure).Green: 5% or more better than the state average. Yellow: within 5%. Red: 5% or more worse.
Total health citations
20 Rank #4 / 61Health citations — State benchmarked This nursing home is ranked 4th out of 61 nursing homes we track in Washington for health citations. Shows this facility's total health deficiency citations benchmarked to the Washington State average, with a ranking across all 61 WA facilities. Lower citation counts earn a better rank. Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings compare like with like: every nursing home we track in Washington that reports data for that category. Nursing homes without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.↓ 60% · WA 49.6This facility: 20, 60% below the Washington average of 49.6 (among Washington facilities reporting a recent figure).Green: 5% or more better than the state average. Yellow: within 5%. Red: 5% or more worse.
Citations per inspection
2.86 Rank #2 / 61Citations per inspection — State benchmarked This nursing home is ranked 2nd out of 61 nursing homes we track in Washington for citations per inspection. Shows average deficiency citations per CMS inspection for this facility versus the Washington mean across 61 facilities with citation data. Lower is better. Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings compare like with like: every nursing home we track in Washington that reports data for that category. Nursing homes without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.↓ 54% · WA 6.18This facility: 2.86, 54% below the Washington average of 6.18 (among Washington facilities reporting a recent figure).Green: 5% or more better than the state average. Yellow: within 5%. Red: 5% or more worse.
Citation severity
100% corrected 20 of 20 citations corrected
Bar = mix of this home's 20 citations, not a state comparison

Lighter shade = corrected

Critical J–L
0 ↓ 100% · WA 0.3This facility: 0, 100% below the Washington average of 0.3 (among Washington facilities reporting a recent figure).Green: 5% or more better than the state average. Yellow: within 5%. Red: 5% or more worse.
Immediate jeopardy
Serious G–I
0 ↓ 100% · WA 1.8This facility: 0, 100% below the Washington average of 1.8 (among Washington facilities reporting a recent figure).Green: 5% or more better than the state average. Yellow: within 5%. Red: 5% or more worse.
Actual harm
Moderate D–F
20 ↓ 58% · WA 47.1This facility: 20, 58% below the Washington average of 47.1 (among Washington facilities reporting a recent figure).Green: 5% or more better than the state average. Yellow: within 5%. Red: 5% or more worse.
No harm, more than minimal risk
Minor A–C
0 ↓ 100% · WA 0.5This facility: 0, 100% below the Washington average of 0.5 (among Washington facilities reporting a recent figure).Green: 5% or more better than the state average. Yellow: within 5%. Red: 5% or more worse.
No harm, minimal risk

Latest inspection: May 12, 2026 · 1 citation (Abuse/Neglect, moderate), corrected

Most cited category: Quality of Life & Care, 7 of 20 citations · 6 categories in total

Citations history
Most recent first
May 12, 2026 1 citation
Abuse/Neglect moderate citation Corrected
Jan 07, 2026 1 citation
Quality of Care moderate citation Corrected
Jul 02, 2025 5 citations
Abuse/Neglect moderate citation Corrected
Infection Control moderate citation Corrected
Pharmacy moderate citation Corrected
Quality of Care moderate citation Corrected
Care Planning moderate citation Corrected
Apr 12, 2024 6 citations
Infection Control moderate citation Corrected
Quality of Care moderate citation Corrected
Quality of Care moderate citation Corrected
Quality of Care moderate citation Corrected
Care Planning moderate citation Corrected
Care Planning moderate citation Corrected
Apr 03, 2024 1 citation
Pharmacy moderate citation Corrected
Mar 04, 2024 1 citation
Quality of Care moderate citation Corrected
Jan 07, 2023 5 citations
Nutrition moderate citation Corrected
Nutrition moderate citation Corrected
Pharmacy moderate citation Corrected
Quality of Care moderate citation Corrected
Care Planning moderate citation Corrected
Top deficiency categories
Share of 20 citations
Quality of Life & Care 7 deficiencies (35%)
Resident Assessment & Care Planning 4 deficiencies (20%)
Pharmacy Services 3 deficiencies (15%)
Infection Control 2 deficiencies (10%)
Nutrition & Dietary 2 deficiencies (10%)
Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation 2 deficiencies (10%)
How citations are counted

Health citations are formal notices following inspections when they fail to comply with safety and care standards.

16 of 20 citations resulted from standard inspections; and 4 of 20 resulted from complaint investigations.

Includes all CMS health inspection records for this property, which could include management/ownership changes.

Source

Data sourced from CMS Health Deficiencies reports. Citation severity codes range from A (least serious) to L (most serious). Immediate Jeopardy (J-L) citations indicate situations where the facility's noncompliance has placed residents at risk of death or serious harm.

Show Inspection Reports
Enforcement

Penalties and fines About 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 · Data as of Aug 2026

No penalties in the past 3 years

No civil money penalties or payment denials on record since Aug 2023.

Clean record
Total fines
$0 WA avg $87KWashington average: $86,517. Average among the 121 Washington facilities with a penalty on record.US avg $67KUS average: $67,417, among the 6,775 US facilities with a penalty on record.
Number of fines
0 WA avg 1.93Washington average: 1.93. Average among the 121 Washington facilities with a penalty on record.US avg 1.96US average: 1.96, among the 6,775 US facilities with a penalty on record.
Payment denials What is a payment denial? Serious action where Medicare and/or Medicaid temporarily stops payments for new residents until issues are fixed.
0 WA avg 0.26Washington average: 0.26. Average among the 121 Washington facilities with a penalty on record.US avg 0.36US average: 0.36, among the 6,775 US facilities with a penalty on record.
Health Outcomes

Quality of care over time

How residents at this home fare on health outcomes and preventive care, compared with the Washington average.

Data as of Aug 2026 · CMS Care Compare

Long-stay quality rating Info CMS star rating for the care of long-stay residents, who live at the home for 100 days or more. It is built from the long-stay quality measures below. 5 stars is the best. 5 / 5 Significantly above average ↑ 40% · WA 3.6This facility: 5.0, 40% above the WA average of 3.6 (among WA facilities reporting a recent figure).Green: 5% or more better than the state average. Yellow: within 5%. Red: 5% or more worse.
Short-stay quality rating Info CMS star rating for the care of short-stay residents, mostly people recovering after a hospital stay for under 100 days. It is built from the short-stay quality measures below. 5 stars is the best. 5 / 5 Significantly above average ↑ 38% · WA 3.6This facility: 5.0, 38% above the WA average of 3.6 (among WA facilities reporting a recent figure).Green: 5% or more better than the state average. Yellow: within 5%. Red: 5% or more worse.
High-risk clinical events Info Average of five long-stay measures: pressure ulcers, falls with major injury, unplanned weight loss, worsening ability to walk, and needing more help with daily activities. Each is the % of residents affected, so lower is better. 7.6 Score · lower is better ↓ 12% · WA 8.5This facility: 7.6, 12% below the WA average of 8.5 (among WA facilities reporting a recent figure).Green: 5% or more better than the state average. Yellow: within 5%. Red: 5% or more worse.
Functional decline Info Average of three long-stay measures: needing more help with daily activities, worsening ability to walk, and loss of bowel or bladder control. Each is the % of residents affected, so lower is better. 18.5 Score · lower is better ↑ 3% · WA 18.0This facility: 18.5, 3% above the WA average of 18.0 (among WA facilities reporting a recent figure).Green: 5% or more better than the state average. Yellow: within 5%. Red: 5% or more worse.

13 long-stay measures: 6 better, 5 worse, 2 near WA average

8 short-stay measures: 4 better, 1 near WA average, 3 compared with US only

Breakdown by payment type

Medicare

59% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.

Typical stay 28 days

Private pay

39% of new residents, often for short stays.

Typical stay 2 - 3 months

Medicaid

2% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.

Typical stay 4 - 5 years

Facility Characteristics

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

Total residents 55
Medicare
14
25.5% of residents
Medicaid
19
34.5% of residents
Private pay or other
22
40% of residents
Programs & Services
Residents Group

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

Active Resident Council

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

Financials

Money and staffing.

Mt. Baker Care Center’s finances from its CMS cost report for the fiscal year ending December 2024, compared with 60 Washington nursing homes that filed a recent report. Includes all financial data for this property, which could include management/ownership changes.

FY Dec 2024

Is it financially stable?

Profitable on care

6.4% operating margin

+2.2 pts vs prior year

Positive margin in 5 of the last 8 reported years. Net income $0.8M after other income.

Does it invest in staff?

Spends less on payroll than most Washington homes

52.0% payroll share of revenue

WA average 64.4%Rank #52 / 60Payroll % of net patient revenue — State benchmarked This nursing home is ranked 52nd out of 60 nursing homes we track in Washington for payroll % of net patient revenue. Shows payroll as a percentage of net patient revenue versus the Washington average, among facilities reporting a recent fiscal year. Below 25% may signal understaffing or heavy agency use — read with Staffing ratings. Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings compare like with like: every nursing home we track in Washington that reports data for that category. Nursing homes without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.

Payroll fell $0.1M while revenue rose $1.4M. A low share can mean leaner staffing; check hours per resident in the staffing section.

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 (59% of admissions), and a typical Medicare stay runs around 28 days.

Admissions
261 total

Coverage residents most often arrive under.

Medicare 59%
Private pay 39%
Medicaid 2%
Discharges
256 total

Coverage residents most often leave under.

Medicare 52%
Private pay 44%
Medicaid 4%

Managed by Catherine Reis-El Bara

Administrator

25 years of experience

Catherine Reis-El Bara has been the Administrator at Mt. Baker Care Center since 2014, bringing 25 years of long-term care experience, including 18 years as a facility Administrator. She oversees all facility operations, compliance, staff management, and financial reporting, ensuring quality care for residents.

Places of interest near Mt. Baker Care Center

Address 3.4 miles from city center Info Estimated distance in miles from Bellingham's city center to Mt. Baker Care Center's address, calculated via Google Maps.

Calculate Travel Distance to Mt. Baker Care Center

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Address

Financial Assistance for
Nursing Home in Washington

Mt. Baker Care Center is located in Bellingham, Washington State.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in Washington State.

Get Financial aid guidance

Community Options Program Entry System (COPES)

WA Medicaid COPES

Age 65+ or disabled
General Washington 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).
WA

High demand in urban areas (e.g., Seattle).

Benefits
Personal care (5-7 hours/day) Respite (240 hours/year) Adult day care ($70/day) Home modifications ($1,500 avg.)

Washington Family Caregiver Support Program

WA NFCSP

Age Caregiver of someone 60+ (or with dementia)
General Washington resident.
Income Limits No strict limit; prioritizes low-income.
Asset Limits Not applicable.
WA

High urban demand; rural outreach.

Benefits
In-home respite (4-6 hours/day) Adult day care (~$70/day) Short-term facility care (up to 5 days)

Community First Choice (CFC)

Washington Community First Choice

Age 65+ (or disabled 18+)
General WA resident, Medicaid-eligible, need help with 2+ ADLs/IADLs.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month; QIT optional.
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
WA

Broader than COPES; serves ~20,000; self-directed option.

Benefits
Personal care (4-6 hours/day) Respite (~240 hours/year) Assistive devices Training Transportation

Older Americans Act (OAA) Services

Washington OAA Services

Age 60+
General WA resident; no income/asset limits.
Income Limits (2025) None; donations encouraged.
Asset Limits Not assessed.
WA

13 AAAs; includes Meals on Wheels; rural focus.

Benefits
Meals (~$5-$7/meal) Transportation Homemaker services (~4 hours/week) Respite (~5 days/year) Legal aid

Medicare Savings Program (MSP)

Washington Medicare Savings Program

Age 65+ or disabled
General WA 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).
WA

Includes Extra Help for Part D; no waitlist.

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

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

Washington VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound

Age 65+ or disabled veteran/spouse
General WA resident, wartime service, 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
WA

High veteran use; supports rural/urban needs.

Benefits
Cash (~$1,433-$2,642/month veteran, ~$951-$1,318 spouse) for care costs

Senior Citizens Property Tax Exemption

Washington Senior Property Tax Exemption

Age 61+ or disabled retiree
General WA resident, homeowner, income-based.
Income Limits (2025) ~$45,000-$70,000/year varies by county, e.g., King: $70,000
Asset Limits Not assessed; home value cap varies ~$250,000-$400,000
WA

Saves ~$500-$1,500/year; offered statewide.

Benefits
Tax exemption (~$500-$1,500/year depending on county)

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

Washington SFMNP

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

Vouchers (~$80/season); serves ~20,000 via AAAs.

Benefits
Vouchers (~$80/season) for produce at farmers’ markets

Frequently Asked Questions about Mt. Baker Care Center

What neighborhood is Mt. Baker Care Center in?

Mt. Baker Care Center is in the South Bellingham neighborhood of Bellingham.

Is Mt. Baker Care Center in a walkable area?

Mt. Baker Care Center has a walk score of 44. Car-dependent. A few nearby services may be reachable on foot, but most trips require transportation.

What is the license number of Mt. Baker Care Center?

According to WA state health department records, Mt. Baker Care Center's license number is 1606.

What is the occupancy rate at Mt. Baker Care Center?

Mt. Baker Care Center's occupancy is 79.0%.

Are pets allowed at Mt. Baker Care Center?

No, Mt. Baker Care Center has a no-pet policy.

Does Mt. Baker Care Center operate as a for-profit or non-profit?

Mt. Baker Care Center is registered as a for-profit in WA.

What is the overall rating for Mt. Baker Care Center?

Mt. Baker Care Center received a 5-star overall rating from the CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services). This score combines results from staffing levels, quality measures, and health inspections.

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