Boundary Waters Care Center
Ely, MN · Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home (CCN 245138) · 38 certified beds
Health inspection: 5 · Quality measures: 5 · Staffing: 5
Federal fines: none on current record
Phone: (218) 365-8705 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Boundary Waters Care Center holds a 5-star overall CMS rating, above Minnesota's state average of 3.15 stars, with 5 stars for health inspections and 5 stars for staffing.
Boundary Waters Care Center reports 4.29 total nurse hours per resident per day, including 1.30 RN hours per resident per day, with a staffing turnover rate of 41.7% and a 5-star CMS staffing rating.
Boundary Waters Care Center has no federal fines on record, totaling $0.00, and no payment denials, and it does not carry a CMS abuse icon flag or Special Focus Facility designation.
About this facility
Boundary Waters Care Center is a non-profit corporation-owned nursing home in Ely, St. Louis County, Minnesota, certified for both Medicare and Medicaid since July 1967. The facility is certified for 38 beds and serves an average of 28.5 residents.
According to CMS Care Compare, Boundary Waters holds an overall rating of 5 stars, above the Minnesota state average of 3.15 stars. Its component ratings are also strong: 5 stars for health inspections, 5 stars for staffing, and 5 stars for quality measures.
Nurse staffing totals 4.29 hours per resident per day, including 1.30 RN hours per resident per day. Nursing staff turnover is reported at 41.7%.
On penalties, CMS records show no federal fines on record (0 fines totaling $0.00) and no payment denials for this facility. There is no abuse icon flagged for this facility, and it is not listed under CMS's Special Focus Facility program, which designates homes CMS identifies as persistently underperforming and subject to increased inspection oversight.
Boundary Waters Care Center is part of the Health Dimensions Group chain, which operates 10 facilities nationally with an average chain rating of 3.2 stars — notably lower than this individual facility's 5-star rating. Ownership has not changed in the past 12 months, so current ratings reflect the existing operator.
Data sourced from CMS Medicare Care Compare.
Questions families ask
What is this nursing home's CMS overall star rating and how does it compare to the state average?
Boundary Waters Care Center has a 5-star overall CMS rating, above Minnesota's state average of 3.15 stars.
Does this facility accept Medicare, Medicaid, or both?
Yes, it is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid.
How well is this facility staffed — nurse hours per resident and turnover?
Total nurse staffing is 4.29 hours per resident per day, with nursing staff turnover at 41.7%, earning a 5-star CMS staffing rating.
Does this facility have federal fines or penalties on record?
No, CMS records show no federal fines (0 fines, $0.00 total) and no payment denials.
Has CMS flagged this facility for abuse or placed it in the Special Focus program?
No, CMS does not display an abuse icon for this facility, nor is it in the Special Focus Facility program.
How large is this facility and how many residents live there?
The facility is certified for 38 beds and has an average of 28.5 residents.
Who owns this facility — and is it part of a chain?
It is owned by a non-profit corporation and is part of the Health Dimensions Group chain, which operates 10 facilities with an average rating of 3.2 stars.
How long has this facility been Medicare/Medicaid certified?
It has been certified since July 24, 1967.
What do the four different CMS star ratings mean?
CMS rates facilities on overall quality, health inspections, staffing, and quality measures; Boundary Waters scores 5 stars in all four categories.
Does this facility offer short-term rehabilitation as well as long-term care?
This is not specified in the CMS data provided; please contact the facility at 218-365-8705 or verify on Medicare Care Compare.
What should I look for when touring this facility?
The data provided does not cover tour details; please contact the facility at 218-365-8705 to arrange a visit.
How do I verify this facility's current record on Medicare Care Compare?
You can review the latest details at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/nursing-home/245138?state=MN.
Data: CMS Care Compare (Aug2026 refresh). Star ratings, staffing hours, and penalty records are CMS's official published measures. Always tour the facility, review the current inspection record, and verify details with Medicare before making care decisions.