State average 6
Last Health inspection on Oct 2024
Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility is an 84-bed skilled nursing community at 640 W Ellsworth St in Columbia City, Indiana, providing skilled nursing, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and respite care to residents in Whitley County. The facility is operated by The Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility LLC and accepts Medicare and Medicaid.
CMS rates the facility 3 stars overall. The staffing and quality measures sub-ratings both perform above the Indiana average — staffing roughly 18% higher and quality measures roughly 24% higher — while the health inspection sub-rating falls about 27% below the state benchmark, which accounts for the mid-range overall score.
The inspection record over the past four years has one significant finding: a February 2024 complaint investigation identified an immediate jeopardy situation after a medication error led to the death of a resident. The IJ designation was removed within a week following corrective actions, and no fines or enforcement actions were recorded. The most recent visit, a June 2025 complaint investigation, found no deficiencies. Outside of the 2024 incident, the facility’s annual inspections have been modest in scope, with five or fewer deficiencies each cycle.
The facility’s occupancy rate is 39%, well below Indiana’s average of 68%, suggesting current availability. The payer mix is heavily Medicare-based at 74%, consistent with the facility’s focus on short-stay, post-acute orientation. Confirmed clinical programs include Comprehensive Wound Care, Respiratory Services, and Holistic Care.
Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility is best suited for seniors seeking short-term post-acute stays in Whitley County, with staffing levels and a Medicare-weighted census that fit residents recovering from surgery, hospitalization, or acute illness. However, families should carefully review the facility’s prior medication-related incident.
Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility is legally operated by Johnson Memorial Hospital, and administered by Laurie Barnes.
Key information about the people who lead and staff this community.
In Indiana, the Department of Health, Division of Long Term Care is the primary regulatory body that performs onsite inspections and quality of care reviews for all licensed facilities.
Deficiencies
| This Facility | IN Average | vs. IN Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total deficiencies
| 29 | 36 | This facility has 19% fewer total deficiencies than a typical Indiana nursing home (29 vs. IN avg 36).↓ 19% better |
|
Deficiencies per inspection
| 2.9 | 1.9 | This facility has 53% more deficiencies per inspection than a typical Indiana nursing home (2.9 vs. IN avg 1.9).↑ 53% worse |
Inspections
| This Facility | IN Average | vs. IN Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total visits
| 10 | 19 | This facility has had 47% fewer total visits than the Indiana average (10 vs. IN avg 19). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 47% fewer |
|
Inspections with deficiencies
| 5 | 7 | This facility has 29% fewer inspections with deficiencies than a typical Indiana nursing home (5 vs. IN avg 7).↓ 29% better |
|
Inspection deficiency rate
| 50% | 37% | This facility has 13 percentage points higher inspection deficiency rate than a typical Indiana nursing home (50% vs. IN avg 37%).↑ 13% worse |
|
Inspections
| 10 | 13 | This facility has had 23% fewer inspections than the Indiana average (10 vs. IN avg 13). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 23% fewer |
Complaints & Investigations
| This Facility | IN Average | vs. IN Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total complaints
| 1 | 5 | This facility has 80% fewer total complaints than a typical Indiana nursing home (1 vs. IN avg 5).↓ 80% better |
|
Complaints per year
| 0.3 | 1.3 | This facility has 77% fewer complaints per year than a typical Indiana nursing home (0.3 vs. IN avg 1.3).↓ 77% better |
State average 6
Last Health inspection on Oct 2024
State average 25
State average 4.12
Health citations are formal notices following inspections when they fail to comply with safety and care standards.
10 of 12 citations resulted from standard inspections; and 2 of 12 resulted from complaint investigations.
State average: 0.2
State average: 0.6
Reporting period: October 1 – December 31, 2025 (Q4 2025). Source: CMS Payroll-Based Journal report.
Manages medical care and health needs.
Assists with medical care and medications.
Helps with daily care and mobility.
Total hours from contractors
921 contractor hours this quarter
| Certified Nursing Assistant | 18 | 0 | 18 | 4,444 | 92 | 100% | 7.6 |
| Registered Nurse | 9 | 0 | 9 | 2,624 | 92 | 100% | 7.6 |
| Medication Aide/Technician | 7 | 0 | 7 | 1,655 | 90 | 98% | 7.5 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | 4 | 0 | 4 | 978 | 82 | 89% | 7.4 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 2 | 0 | 2 | 926 | 73 | 79% | 7.7 |
| Other Dietary Services Staff | 6 | 0 | 6 | 800 | 83 | 90% | 6.1 |
| Administrator | 1 | 0 | 1 | 501 | 64 | 70% | 7.8 |
| Mental Health Service Worker | 1 | 0 | 1 | 479 | 61 | 66% | 7.9 |
| Speech Language Pathologist | 0 | 2 | 2 | 458 | 67 | 73% | 6.5 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 1 | 0 | 1 | 449 | 60 | 65% | 7.5 |
| Dietitian | 3 | 0 | 3 | 390 | 58 | 63% | 6.7 |
| Physical Therapy Aide | 0 | 3 | 3 | 289 | 52 | 57% | 5 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician | 0 | 3 | 3 | 76 | 31 | 34% | 2.2 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 0 | 5 | 5 | 71 | 26 | 28% | 2.6 |
| Qualified Social Worker | 0 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 29 | 32% | 1 |
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)
Penalties are imposed by CMS for violations of federal nursing home regulations.
1 penalty in the past 3 years
Feb 22, 2024 · $60K
Last updated: Jan 2026
These measures show how residents usually do over time at this home, based on health outcomes and preventive care.
16% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.
74% of new residents, often for short stays.
10% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.
Source: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Data as of Jan 2026)
Residents 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.
Historical financial and operational data for Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility from 2012–2023, based on CMS SNF Cost Reports.
Key figures below are for fiscal year ending in 12/2023.
Based on CMS SNF Cost Report for fiscal year ending in 12/2023.
Residents typically stay for brief periods, with frequent admissions and discharges throughout the year.
Most new residents arrive under private pay (74% of admissions), and a typical private pay stay runs around 1 - 2 months.
Coverage residents most often arrive under.
Coverage residents most often leave under.
0.0 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Columbia City's city center to Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility's address, calculated via Google Maps.
Add your location
Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the IN Dept. of Health (IDOH), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.
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39
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#275 / 552 | Bhi Retirement Communities Inc | $17.0MFiscal year ending 12/2023
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$17.0MFiscal year ending 12/2023
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$10.5M
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#24 / 268 | $6.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
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$6.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
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$5.2M
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#54 / 268 | 40.6%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
40.6%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IN AVG
51.1%
Rank
#225 / 268 | 155817 | ||||
| Westminster Village Muncie | NH AL IL SNF | Muncie | 303
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303
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83.8%
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83.8%
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65.3
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25.0
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3.0
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4.1
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6
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#509 / 552 | Mary Crutcher | $14.5MFiscal year ending 06/2024
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$14.5MFiscal year ending 06/2024
IN AVG
$10.5M
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#51 / 268 | $10.2MFiscal year ending 06/2024
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$10.2MFiscal year ending 06/2024
IN AVG
$5.2M
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#14 / 268 | 70.4%Fiscal year ending 06/2024
Facility
70.4%Fiscal year ending 06/2024
IN AVG
51.1%
Rank
#13 / 268 | 155170 | ||||
| Christian Care Retirement Community | NH AL IL MC SNF | Bluffton (Toll Gate Heights) | 145
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145
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116
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40.0%
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40.0%
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65.3
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5.53
IN AVG
3.44
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$31.4k
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98
IN AVG
83
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2
IN AVG
25.0
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1.0
IN AVG
4.1
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4
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4
IN AVG
40
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$6.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
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$10.5M
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#198 / 268 | $5.7MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$5.7MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IN AVG
$5.2M
Rank
#87 / 268 | 83.2%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
83.2%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IN AVG
51.1%
Rank
#5 / 268 | 155701 | ||||
| Stonecroft Health Campus | NH ADC AL MC RC SNF | Bloomington | 124
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124
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116
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3.59
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92
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83
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4
IN AVG
25.0
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2.0
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4.1
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9
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9
IN AVG
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$10.6MFiscal year ending 12/2023
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$5.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
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#112 / 268 | 49.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
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49.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IN AVG
51.1%
Rank
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| Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility | NH RC SNF | Columbia City | 84
Facility
84
IN AVG
116
Rank
#310 / 432 | - | - | 2.83
Facility
2.83
IN AVG
3.44
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$60.6k
IN AVG
$31.4k
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83
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12
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77
Facility
77
IN AVG
40
Rank
#30 / 552 | The Waters Of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility LLC | $4.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$4.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IN AVG
$10.5M
Rank
#241 / 268 | $2.3MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
$2.3MFiscal year ending 12/2023
IN AVG
$5.2M
Rank
#247 / 268 | 48.8%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility
48.8%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
IN AVG
51.1%
Rank
#139 / 268 | 155150 |
Ann Hill is the Director of Nursing at Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility.
Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility is legally operated by Johnson Memorial Hospital, and administered by Laurie Barnes.
Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility has a walk score of 77. Very walkable. Most errands can be accomplished on foot, and many essentials are within a short walk.
According to IN state health department records, Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility's license number is 25-000071-1.
According to IN state health department records, Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility's license expires on February 28, 2027.
Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility's occupancy is 50%.
Waters of Columbia City Skilled Nursing Facility has been operating for approximately 1 year, based on available licensing and registration records.
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