Merkel Nursing Center
1704 N. 1st, Merkel, TX 79536
1 out of 5 in Medicare’s overall rating
Summary
Merkel Nursing Center is a nursing home in Merkel, Texas, in Taylor County. According to Medicare (CMS), it has 65 certified beds and it cares for an average of 19 residents a day. It is certified by Medicare and Medicaid since 2005. It is a privately owned, for-profit home. The closest hospital with an emergency room is Hendrick Medical Center, about 16.8 miles away in a straight line.
What it offers
- Resident council
- Yes, residents have an organized council
- Residents on the day of the last inspection
- 33 (17 on Medicaid and 2 on Medicare), on July 31, 2024
Public data from CMS — Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Form 671), 2nd quarter of 2026, CMS — Nursing Homes: Provider Information, September 30, 2026. Confirm the details when you call.
Medicare ratings
Medicare (CMS) rates certified nursing homes from 1 to 5 stars. Merkel Nursing Center has 1 out of 5 in the overall rating.
- Overall
- 1/5
- Health inspections
- 1/5
- Staffing
- 3/5
- Quality measures
- 1/5
- Long-stay residents
- 1/5
- Short-stay residents (rehab)
- Not rated
Star ratings are a useful reference, not a final verdict: it’s best to visit, meet the staff and ask your questions. Source: CMS, September 1, 2026.
Key facts
- Ownership
- For-profit (limited liability company)
- Certification
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Certified since
- June 1, 2005
- CMS certification number (CCN)
- 676053
What certification means. A certified nursing home meets the federal requirements of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to receive payments from Medicare, as a skilled nursing facility, or from Medicaid, as a nursing facility. Federal rules require it to have enough nursing staff 24 hours a day, and the state agency inspects it without advance notice. Medicare covers only short stays for skilled care (nursing or therapy), usually after an inpatient hospital stay of at least 3 days, for up to 100 days per benefit period. For long stays, ask whether your family member qualifies for Medicaid.
Services and features
Merkel Nursing Center hasn’t shared information about its services, prices, languages or availability yet. When you call, ask who they serve, what the rate includes, whether any staff speak Spanish and whether they have an opening now. Use our checklist.
Questions to ask when you call
Marisol’s tip: a ten-minute call clears up a lot. Keep these questions handy and write down the answers so you can compare with other places.
- Do you have a bed available now, and for what kind of stay: rehab after the hospital or long-term care?
- Do you accept Medicaid from admission, or only after a period of private pay? Do you take my relative’s Medicare plan?
- Is there staff who speaks Spanish on every shift, including nights?
- What therapies do you offer (physical, occupational, speech), and how many days a week?
- How do you keep the family informed, and when is the care plan meeting?
- What are the visiting hours, and can several family members visit at once?
Location and what’s nearby
The map loads as you scroll.
- Address
- 1704 N. 1st, Merkel, TX 79536Taylor County
- Closest hospital with an emergency room
- Hendrick Medical Center1900 Pine, Abilene · 16.8 miles in a straight line · source: CMS Hospital General Information
Ask which hospital they send residents to and who goes with them.
Medicare inspections
Like every certified nursing home, Merkel Nursing Center gets regular inspections that the state carries out on Medicare’s behalf. We show you the public summary so you have the full picture. Each place can tell you how it works and what improvements it has made: it’s a good conversation to have during your visit.
- Last standard inspection
- December 4, 2025 · 21 deficiencies cited
- Fines (last 3 years)
- 2 · $318,060
- Resident protection
- Medicare shows its abuse icon for this home, which means it was cited for abuse or neglect in recent inspections. Ask the staff how those issues were addressed.
- Medicare special focus
- Medicare considers it a candidate for the Special Focus Facility program, which provides closer oversight.
See the full reports on Medicare Care Compare. Source: CMS, September 1, 2026. Do you run this nursing home? Add your information so families can learn about your work.
Who to call in Texas
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Texas State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. A free, confidential service that advises residents and families of nursing homes and assisted living and helps resolve concerns with the facility.(800) 252-2412 · Official website
- Free Medicare counseling (SHIP)
- Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) – Texas Medicare Help Line. They explain what Medicare covers and how to compare plans, without selling insurance.(800) 252-9240 · Official website
- Medicaid
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Long-term care programs: STAR+PLUS, STAR+PLUS Home and Community Based Services (HCBS).(877) 541-7905 · Official website
- Licensing and inspections
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) – Long-term Care Regulation.Look up a license
- Services for older adults
- Texas HHS – Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) and Area Agencies on Aging.(855) 937-2372 · Official website
- Eldercare Locator (nationwide)
- A free national line that connects you with your local Area Agency on Aging.(800) 677-1116 · Official website
Contact information checked against official sources on October 15, 2026. These are free public services; hogaresparamayores.com is not affiliated with them.
Official data and sources
- CMS — Nursing Homes: Provider Information, updated September 30, 2026
See a mistake? Let us know and we’ll fix it. Being listed in an official registry doesn’t mean hogaresparamayores.com knows or recommends the place.
Frequently asked questions
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