Catawba Valley Medical Center
Hickory, NC · Medicare-certified inpatient rehabilitation facility (CCN 34T143)
- Patients discharged to the community (return home): No Different
- Readmissions within 30 days of discharge: No Different
- Readmissions during the rehab stay: No Different
Ownership: Non-profit · Phone: (828) 326-3248 · Verify on Medicare Care Compare ↗
Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, NC is rated by CMS as performing no different than the national rate on its reported measures, with 0 measures better and 0 measures worse than the national benchmark. Its rate of discharging patients home to the community is also no different than the national average.
At Catawba Valley Medical Center, the rate of patients discharged back to the community is no different than the national rate, and readmission rates after discharge are also no different than the national rate, according to CMS.
Catawba Valley Medical Center is a Medicare-certified, non-profit inpatient rehabilitation facility in Hickory, North Carolina, providing intensive therapy to help patients regain function after a stroke, surgery, or serious injury before returning home.
About this facility
Catawba Valley Medical Center is a Medicare-certified inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) located in Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina. An IRF provides intensive, hospital-level rehabilitation therapy — typically several hours a day of physical, occupational, and speech therapy under medical supervision — to help patients regain function after a stroke, major surgery, or serious injury, with the goal of returning home rather than remaining in a long-term care setting.
This facility has been Medicare-certified since July 1, 2021, and operates as a non-profit organization. According to CMS Care Compare, the facility's rate of discharging patients back to the community is 'No Different than the National Rate,' meaning patients here return home at rates similar to the national average. Its readmission rates — both readmissions following discharge and readmissions during the rehab stay — are also reported as 'No Different than the National Rate.'
CMS has not published healthcare-associated infection data (catheter-associated and C. difficile infections) for this facility in the data reviewed, which often reflects low case counts rather than a quality concern.
Overall, of the five measures CMS reports for this facility, none were rated better than the national benchmark and none were rated worse — the facility performed in line with national rates on the measures reported. Families considering this facility for post-hospital rehabilitation can review these comparisons alongside a direct conversation with the facility about services and admission. Data source: CMS Care Compare.
Questions patients and families ask
What is an inpatient rehabilitation facility, and how is it different from a nursing home?
An inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) provides intensive, hospital-level therapy — often several hours a day — to help patients regain function after a stroke, surgery, or serious injury, whereas a nursing home typically provides lower-intensity, longer-term custodial care.
How often do patients at this facility recover enough to return home?
CMS reports that Catawba Valley Medical Center's rate of discharging patients to the community is 'No Different than the National Rate.'
How does this facility compare to national rates on readmissions?
Both readmission after discharge and readmission during the stay are rated 'No Different than the National Rate' by CMS.
How does this facility compare on healthcare-associated infections?
CMS has not published catheter-associated or C. difficile infection data for this facility in the available information, which is often due to low case counts rather than a quality issue.
Does Medicare cover care at this facility?
Yes, this facility is Medicare-certified, meaning it meets federal requirements for participation in the Medicare program.
Who owns this facility?
Catawba Valley Medical Center is operated as a non-profit organization.
How long has this facility been Medicare-certified?
The facility has been Medicare-certified since July 1, 2021.
What conditions does inpatient rehabilitation treat?
The provided data does not specify particular conditions treated; contact the facility at (828) 326-3248 or verify details on Medicare Care Compare.
How is this facility's overall quality picture on CMS measures?
Of the five measures CMS reports, none were rated better than the national benchmark and none were rated worse — performance was in line with national rates.
How do I verify this facility's current record on Medicare Care Compare?
You can view the most current data at the official CMS Care Compare page: https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/inpatient-rehabilitation-facility/34T143?state=NC.
What should I ask when choosing an inpatient rehab facility?
Consider asking about therapy hours, staff-to-patient ratios, and how the facility's community discharge and readmission rates compare to national benchmarks, which are reported on Care Compare.
How do I arrange a transfer to this facility from the hospital?
The provided data does not describe the transfer or admission process; contact the facility directly at (828) 326-3248 for guidance.
Data: CMS Care Compare (Aug2026 refresh). Outcome comparisons are CMS's published measures relative to the national rate. Verify current details with the facility and Medicare before making care decisions.