Total health inspections
13
New Mexico average 6.8
Last Health inspection on Mar 2025
Mix of rehab and long-term care
This home supports both short-term rehab and long-term care, with residents staying for a wide range of durations.
Sierra Blanca Senior Living
Sierra Blanca Senior Living
Sierra Blanca Senior Living accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.
Positioned at 2961 Galisteo Road in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Sierra Blanca Senior Living operates 118 beds as a nursing home with assisted living and memory care services. Owner Carlos Yanez established the facility in August 2013. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay residents, with occupancy at 92.6%; substantially above the state average of 78.9%.
The facility holds a Better Business Bureau A+ rating (not accredited).
Average resident stay is 98 days; admissions split evenly among Medicare (25%), private pay (50%), and Medicaid (25%).
Thirteen inspections conducted since 2023 exceed the state average by 90%; this intensive survey activity resulted in 90 deficiency citations, with 3 critical and 9 serious citations, which is dramatically worse than state benchmarks. Citations clustered in quality of life and care (32%), resident rights (16%), and pharmacy services (14%).
Federal enforcement has been severe: cumulative fines of $326,000 represent the highest amount imposed on any New Mexico facility; 280% above state average.
Three separate Medicare/Medicaid payment denials, specifically suspensions of reimbursement for new admissions, reflect CMS’s most serious enforcement tool, applied here at rates nearly five times the state norm.
Contractors comprise 52% of the workforce, and total nursing hours of 3 hours 27 minutes per resident daily run 12% below the state average.
Payroll costs consume 42.7% of revenue, well below well-managed peer levels of 53-59%.
Residents experienced unintended weight loss at 12.7%; more than double the state average. And antipsychotic medication use at 25.8%, twice the norm. Walking ability decline affected 24% of long-stay residents, and high-risk clinical events scored 30% worse than peers.
Sierra Blanca operates in a context of regulatory scrutiny, persistent compliance deficiencies, and quality metrics substantially below state benchmarks across multiple domains.
Staffing hours breakdown
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.
Total nursing care / resident
This home is ranked 30th out of 53 homes in New Mexico 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.
This home is ranked 30th out of 53 homes in New Mexico 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.
3h 27m per day
Rank #30 / 53Nurse hours — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 30th out of 53 homes in New Mexico. Shows adjusted nurse hours per resident per day benchmarked to the New Mexico average, with a ranking across 53 New Mexico facilities. 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.
vs New Mexico avg
-12%
Standout metric
LPN / LVN is +37% above state avg
| 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.
| 27m per day | ▼ 29% State avg: 38m 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 0m per day | ▲ 37% State avg: 44m 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.
| 1h 51m per day | ▼ 17% State avg: 2h 14m per day · National avg: 2h 20m 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.
| 2h 44m per day | ▼ 16% State avg: 3h 15m per day · National avg: 3h 27m 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.
| 3m per day | ▼ 38% State avg: 5m 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.
| 15m per day | ▼ 44% State avg: 27m per day · National avg: 29m per day |
Capacity and availability
This home usually has limited availability
Occupancy rate
92.6%
Rank #32 / 119Occupancy rate — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 32nd out of 119 homes in New Mexico. Shows this facility's occupancy rate versus the New Mexico average, with its Statewide rank out of 119. 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
98 days
29 years in operation
A longer operating history, which may indicate experience navigating regulations and delivering ongoing care.
Walk Score: 18 / 100 Rank #154 / 208Walk Score — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 154th out of 208 homes in New Mexico. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average Walk Score across New Mexico facilities. 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.
Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.
BBB Rating: A+ (Not Accredited)
An independent rating from the Better Business Bureau based on factors such as complaint history, transparency, and business practices.
How BBB ratings work
How BBB ratings work
About this community
Staffing
Key information about the people who lead and staff this community.
ContactMs. Velma Arellano, Office Manager
Health Inspection History
Inspections
Total health citations
90
Rank #49 / 54Health citations — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 49th out of 54 homes in New Mexico. Shows this facility's total health deficiency citations benchmarked to the New Mexico State average, with a ranking across all 54 NM facilities. Lower citation counts earn a better rank.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
New Mexico average 48.6
Citations per inspection
6.92
Rank #25 / 54Citations per inspection — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 25th out of 54 homes in New Mexico. Shows average deficiency citations per CMS inspection for this facility versus the New Mexico mean across 54 facilities with citation data. Lower is better.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
New Mexico average 7.31
Health citations are formal notices following inspections when they fail to comply with safety and care standards.
57 of 90 citations resulted from standard inspections; 28 of 90 resulted from complaint investigations; and 5 of 90 came from combined inspections (standard and complaint).
Breakdown of citation severity (last 3 years)
Critical health citations
3
173% worse than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 1.1
Serious health citations
9
592% worse than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 1.3
Citations history (last 3 years)
Quality of Care moderate citation
Mar 27, 2025
Corrected
Care Planning moderate citation
Mar 27, 2025
Corrected
Resident Rights moderate citation
Mar 27, 2025
Corrected
Resident Rights moderate citation
Mar 27, 2025
Corrected
Staffing Data
Reporting period: October 1 – December 31, 2025 (Q4 2025). Source: CMS Payroll-Based Journal report.
Total staff
190
Employees
91
Contractors
99
Staff to resident ratio
1.61 : 1
0% compared with New Mexico average
Avg staff/day
45
Average shift
9.1 hours
6% better than New Mexico average
Total staff hours (quarter)
37,486
Nursing staff breakdown
Q4 2025 · Oct 1 – Dec 31
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
20 total: 8 full-time employees and 12 contractors.
20
20 total: 8 full-time employees and 12 contractors.
20
Average shift length
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
9.5 hours
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
9.5 hoursLicensed Practical Nurse
Assists with medical care and medications.
LPN Staff
27 total: 14 full-time employees and 13 contractors.
27
27 total: 14 full-time employees and 13 contractors.
27
Average shift length
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
10 hours
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
10 hoursCertified Nursing Assistant
Helps with daily care and mobility.
CNA Staff
97 total: 31 full-time employees and 66 contractors.
97
97 total: 31 full-time employees and 66 contractors.
97
Average shift length
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
9.6 hours
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
9.6 hoursContractor staffing
Q4 2025 · Oct 1 – Dec 31
This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.
Total hours from contractors
25.3%
9,488 contractor hours this quarter
Certified Nursing Assistant: 66
Licensed Practical Nurse: 13
Registered Nurse: 12
Respiratory Therapy Technician: 3
Occupational Therapy Assistant: 2
Medical Director: 1
Occupational Therapy Aide: 1
Physical Therapy Aide: 1
Staff by category
Q4 2025 · Oct 1 – Dec 31
This data comes from the CMS Payroll-Based Journal report covering October 1 – December 31, 2025.
| Certified Nursing Assistant | 31 | 66 | 97 | 15,264 | 92 | 100% | 9.6 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | 14 | 13 | 27 | 8,434 | 92 | 100% | 10 |
| Registered Nurse | 8 | 12 | 20 | 3,147 | 92 | 100% | 9.5 |
| Medication Aide/Technician | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1,563 | 87 | 95% | 9.8 |
| Other Dietary Services Staff | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1,270 | 88 | 96% | 7.8 |
| Mental Health Service Worker | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1,110 | 69 | 75% | 7.9 |
| RN Director of Nursing | 2 | 0 | 2 | 957 | 75 | 82% | 7.8 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 4 | 0 | 4 | 767 | 68 | 74% | 7.6 |
| Nurse Aide in Training | 5 | 0 | 5 | 613 | 29 | 32% | 7.9 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 1 | 0 | 1 | 574 | 67 | 73% | 8.6 |
| Administrator | 1 | 0 | 1 | 496 | 62 | 67% | 8 |
| Speech Language Pathologist | 2 | 0 | 2 | 489 | 65 | 71% | 7.5 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician | 2 | 3 | 5 | 488 | 62 | 67% | 7.5 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 1 | 0 | 1 | 480 | 60 | 65% | 8 |
| Other Social Services Staff | 1 | 0 | 1 | 479 | 60 | 65% | 8 |
| Qualified Social Worker | 6 | 0 | 6 | 377 | 54 | 59% | 6.5 |
| Dental Services Staff | 1 | 0 | 1 | 328 | 41 | 45% | 8 |
| Physical Therapy Aide | 1 | 1 | 2 | 324 | 48 | 52% | 6.5 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | 0 | 1 | 1 | 201 | 28 | 30% | 7.2 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | 0 | 2 | 2 | 65 | 9 | 10% | 7.2 |
| Medical Director | 0 | 1 | 1 | 61 | 49 | 53% | 1.2 |
97 Certified Nursing Assistant
% of Days
100%
27 Licensed Practical Nurse
% of Days
100%
20 Registered Nurse
% of Days
100%
3 Medication Aide/Technician
% of Days
95%
5 Other Dietary Services Staff
% of Days
96%
3 Mental Health Service Worker
% of Days
75%
2 RN Director of Nursing
% of Days
82%
4 Physical Therapy Assistant
% of Days
74%
5 Nurse Aide in Training
% of Days
32%
1 Clinical Nurse Specialist
% of Days
73%
1 Administrator
% of Days
67%
2 Speech Language Pathologist
% of Days
71%
5 Respiratory Therapy Technician
% of Days
67%
1 Nurse Practitioner
% of Days
65%
1 Other Social Services Staff
% of Days
65%
6 Qualified Social Worker
% of Days
59%
1 Dental Services Staff
% of Days
45%
2 Physical Therapy Aide
% of Days
52%
1 Occupational Therapy Aide
% of Days
30%
2 Occupational Therapy Assistant
% of Days
10%
1 Medical Director
% of Days
53%
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
$326K Rank #54 / 54Federal fines — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 54th out of 54 homes in New Mexico. Shows this facility's cumulative CMS federal fine dollars versus the New Mexico average among facilities with fines, and where it ranks among 54 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.
280% higher than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: $86K
Number of fines
3
14% more fines than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 2.6
Payment Denials
Serious action where Medicare and/or Medicaid temporarily stops payments for new residents until issues are fixed.
3
Serious action where Medicare and/or Medicaid temporarily stops payments for new residents until issues are fixed.
3
487% more payment denials than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 0.5
Fines amount comparison
Fines amount comparison
This facility
$326K
New Mexico average
$86K
Penalty History
Penalties are imposed by CMS for violations of federal nursing home regulations.
4 penalties in the past 3 years
Multiple penalties were reported in the last 3 years.
Civil Money Penalty
Fines imposed for noncompliance, which can be assessed per day or per instance of violation.
Sep 24, 2024
Fines imposed for noncompliance, which can be assessed per day or per instance of violation.
Sep 24, 2024
$33K
Payment Denial
Serious action where Medicare and/or Medicaid temporarily stops payments for new residents until issues are fixed.
Sep 24, 2024
Serious action where Medicare and/or Medicaid temporarily stops payments for new residents until issues are fixed.
Sep 24, 2024
39 days
Civil Money Penalty
Fines imposed for noncompliance, which can be assessed per day or per instance of violation.
Jul 16, 2024
Fines imposed for noncompliance, which can be assessed per day or per instance of violation.
Jul 16, 2024
$96K
Payment Denial
Serious action where Medicare and/or Medicaid temporarily stops payments for new residents until issues are fixed.
Jul 16, 2024
Serious action where Medicare and/or Medicaid temporarily stops payments for new residents until issues are fixed.
Jul 16, 2024
10 days
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
A composite score based on pressure ulcers, falls with injury, weight loss, walking ability decline, and activities of daily living decline.
12.5
A composite score based on pressure ulcers, falls with injury, weight loss, walking ability decline, and activities of daily living decline.
12.5
30% worse than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 9.6
Functional decline score
A composite score based on activities of daily living decline, walking ability decline, and incontinence.
22.2
A composite score based on activities of daily living decline, walking ability decline, and incontinence.
22.2
21% worse than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 18.3
Long-stay resident measures
Need for Help with Daily Activities Increased
Percent of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased
15.8%
Percent of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased
15.8%
In line with New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 15.6%
Walking Ability Worsened
Percent of long-stay residents whose ability to move independently worsened
24.0%
Percent of long-stay residents whose ability to move independently worsened
24.0%
31% worse than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 18.3%
Low Risk Residents with Bowel/Bladder Incontinence
Percent of low risk long-stay residents who lose control of their bowels or bladder
26.9%
Percent of low risk long-stay residents who lose control of their bowels or bladder
26.9%
28% worse than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 21.0%
Falls with Major Injury
Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury
4.3%
Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury
4.3%
29% worse than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 3.3%
High Risk Residents with Pressure Ulcers
Percent of long-stay high risk residents with pressure ulcers
5.7%
Percent of long-stay high risk residents with pressure ulcers
5.7%
In line with New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 5.8%
Urinary Tract Infection
Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection
1.2%
Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection
1.2%
24% worse than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 1.0%
Lost Too Much Weight
Percent of long-stay residents who lose too much weight
12.7%
Percent of long-stay residents who lose too much weight
12.7%
118% worse than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 5.8%
Depressive Symptoms
Percent of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms
1.9%
Percent of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms
1.9%
9% worse than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 1.7%
Antipsychotic Use
Percent of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication
25.8%
Percent of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication
25.8%
102% worse than New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 12.7%
Pneumococcal Vaccine
Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine
100.0%
Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine
100.0%
In line with New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 97.2%
Influenza Vaccine
Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
100.0%
Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
100.0%
In line with New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 98.7%
Short-stay resident measures
Pneumococcal Vaccine
Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine
86.9%
Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine
86.9%
In line with New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 86.1%
Antipsychotic medication increase
Percent of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication
1.3%
Percent of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication
1.3%
In line with New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 1.3%
Influenza Vaccine
Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
88.9%
Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
88.9%
In line with New Mexico averageNew Mexico average: 86.4%
Quality measures are calculated from Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. For most measures, lower percentages indicate better care quality.
Breakdown by payment type
Medicare
25% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.
Typical stay
1 months
Private pay
50% of new residents, often for short stays.
Typical stay
1 - 2 months
Medicaid
25% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.
Typical stay
8 - 9 months
Facility Characteristics
Source: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Data as of Jan 2026)
Total residents
118
Medicare
118
100% 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.
Data sourced from CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics quarterly report. Payer mix reflects the current resident census by primary payment source.
Financial Trends
Historical financial and operational data for Sierra Blanca Senior Living based on CMS SNF Cost Reports.
Occupancy Rate
92.6%
↑ 0.7pp vs 2022
Net Income
$2.7M
↑ ~$1.5M vs 2022
Total Payroll
$5.5M
↓ ~$223.4K vs 2022
Profit Margin
20.9%
↑ 11.1pp vs 2022
Finances and operations
Privately-owned community
Operated by a single business entity.
Home revenue
$13.0M
Profit
$2.7M
Privately-owned community
Operated by a single business entity.
Home revenue
$13.0M Rank #26 / 54Revenue — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 26th out of 54 homes in New Mexico. Shows this facility's annual revenue compared to the New Mexico 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.
Profit
$2.7M
Payroll costs
The portion of the home's budget spent on staff, including nurses, caregivers, and other employees who support care and operations.
Rank #28 / 54Payroll — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 28th out of 54 homes in New Mexico. Shows total annual staff payroll benchmarked to the New Mexico 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.
$5.5M
The portion of the home's budget spent on staff, including nurses, caregivers, and other employees who support care and operations.
Rank #28 / 54Payroll — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 28th out of 54 homes in New Mexico. Shows total annual staff payroll benchmarked to the New Mexico 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.
Other operating costs
All remaining costs needed to run the home, such as food, utilities, building maintenance, supplies and administrative expenses.
$4.7M
All remaining costs needed to run the home, such as food, utilities, building maintenance, supplies and administrative expenses.
Total costs
$10.3M
Who this home usually serves
Show admissions and discharges
TYPE OF STAY
Places of interest near Sierra Blanca Senior Living
4.1 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Santa Fe's city center to Sierra Blanca Senior Living's address, calculated via Google Maps.
— 1.53 miles to nearest hospital (Childrenu2019s Medical Services)
Calculate Travel Distance to Sierra Blanca Senior Living
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Financial Assistance for
Independent Living in New Mexico
Sierra Blanca Senior Living is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in New Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sierra Blanca Senior Living
Is Sierra Blanca Senior Living in a walkable area?
Sierra Blanca Senior Living has a walk score of 18. Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.
Are there photos of Sierra Blanca Senior Living?
Yes — there are 7 photos of Sierra Blanca Senior Living in the photo gallery on this page.
What is the phone number of Sierra Blanca Senior Living?
(505) 309-4199 will put you in contact with the team at Sierra Blanca Senior Living.
Is Sierra Blanca Senior Living Medicare or Medicaid certified?
Yes — Sierra Blanca Senior Living is a CMS-certified provider of Medicare and Medicaid.
Guides for Better Senior Living
Care Cost Calculator: See Prices in Your Area
Nursing Home Data Explorer
Don’t Wait Too Long: 7 Red Flag Signs Your Parent Needs Assisted Living Now
The True Cost of Assisted Living in 2025 – And How Families Are Paying For It
Understanding Senior Living Costs: Pricing Models, Discounts & Financial Assistance
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