Overview
Northern Mahaska Specialty Care has a Medicare overall rating of 3 out of 5, in line with the Iowa average of 3.1. It ranks 2nd of 3 nursing homes in Oskaloosa. It scores best on staffing (4 of 5) and lowest on health inspections (3 of 5).
Residents receive about 3.5 hours of nursing care per day, fewer than at 72% of nursing homes in Iowa (the state average is 3.9 hours). Of that, 0.7 hours come from registered nurses.
Its most recent standard inspection, on November 24, 2025, found 4 health deficiencies, fewer than the Iowa average of 6.5. Medicare records 1 fine totaling $39,033 in the past three years.
Northern Mahaska Specialty Care is a nonprofit facility with 79 certified beds, caring for about 75 residents on an average day. It accepts both Medicare and Medicaid and has participated since 1996.
Medicare ratings
- Health inspections
- Quality of care
- Staffing
Source: Medicare Care Compare, data as of October 1, 2026.
How it compares nearby
Ranked by Medicare overall rating, then quality, inspection and staffing ratings.
Top 67%
Top 53%
Top 55%
Family reviews
No reviews yet. If your family has experience with Northern Mahaska Specialty Care, your review helps others decide.
Inspections and penalties
- Most recent standard inspection
- November 24, 2025
- Health deficiencies cited
- 4
- Complaint-related deficiencies
- 0
- Fines in the last 3 years
- 1 totaling $39,033
- Payment denials
- 0
- Total penalties
- 1
Staffing
Average hours of care each resident receives per day.
- All nursing staff3.47 hrs
- Registered nurses (RN)0.67 hrs
- Licensed practical nurses (LPN)0.51 hrs
- Nurse aides2.30 hrs
- Physical therapists0.01 hrs
Facility details
- Ownership
- Non profit - Corporation
- Certified beds
- 79
- Average residents per day
- 75
- Participates in
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Medicare/Medicaid since
- April 5, 1996
- Inside a hospital
- No
- Continuing care retirement community
- No
- Changed ownership in last 12 months
- No
- Resident or family council
- Resident
- Sprinklers in all required areas
- Yes