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Nursing homeFAID #8247

Mescalero Care Center

454 LIPAN AVENUE, MESCALERO, NM, 88340

(575) 464-4802

40 licensed beds

CMS rates Mescalero Care Center 1 out of 5 overall. Federal inspectors issued 84 citations across 9 inspections in the last three years, with no federal fines. Listing last updated 2026-11-06.

★★★★★1/5CMS Five-Star overall2/5 health inspections1/5 staffing2/5 quality measuresSource: CMS Care Compare

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Address

454 Lipan Avenue

Mescalero, NM 88340

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Public record summary

What we can show you for free.

Bed capacity

CMS facility ID

325116

Care type

Nursing home

County

Otero

Facility name

Mescalero Care Center

Street address

454 LIPAN AVENUE

City / state / ZIP

Mescalero, NM 88340

Phone

(575) 464-4802

About this facility — Mescalero Care Center

Mescalero Care Center is a Medicare/Medicaid-certified skilled nursing facility in Mescalero, New Mexico. It is licensed for 40 beds — well below the median for skilled nursing facilities in New Mexico (102 beds).

It is one of 1 senior care facility in Mescalero and 68 skilled nursing facilities across New Mexico. Families comparing options should weigh inspection history, ownership record, and litigation — not just the tour — before deciding.

Federal inspectors have cited Mescalero Care Center 84 times across 9 inspections in the last three years, including 4 food-safety citations; no federal fines are on record. Every citation is listed, dated, and graded in the inspection record below.

This listing draws on federal CMS Nursing Home Compare records, and was last updated on November 6, 2026. Background reports are compiled from primary sources — state inspection files, federal CMS data, corporate registrations, and court records — at the time of order.

Facility background

What the public record shows.

Ownership & operator

Ownership type

Non profit - Other

Registered owners & officers

Mescalero Apache Tribe

Direct owner · Operational control — 100% stake — since 2003

Cervantes, Nelva

Officer — since 2020

Esquibel, Carol

Director · Operational control — since 2020

Regulatory standing

Licensed / certified since

2003-12-17

CMS overall rating

1 of 5 stars

Health deficiencies

34 at the last standard inspection

Federal fines

None on record

Last standard inspection

2025-05-19

Nurse staffing

4.8 hours per resident per day

Cost & payer profile (FY2023 cost report)

Average billed charges

$336 per day (≈ $10,210/month). Private-pay prices typically track billed charges; Medicare and Medicaid pay set rates.

Payer mix (resident days)

69% Medicaid · 17% Medicare · 15% private/other

Occupancy

57% (fiscal year 2023)

Vs. state median

7% below the NM median of $362/day — full state cost breakdown

Services & coverage

Licensed beds

Medicare

Accepted

Medicaid

Accepted

Compiled from CMS Nursing Home Compare; owners/officers from the CMS Ownership dataset; cost & occupancy from the facility's own CMS cost report · last verified 2026-11-06. Facilities can submit a correction.

Inspection record

Every citation, dated and graded.

Kitchen & food safety

Federal surveyors inspect the kitchen at every standard visit. This facility has 4 food-safety citations on its three-year record — flagged below among the inspections.

2026-06-10Health inspectionComplaint-triggered1 citation

F-0628

E · No harm foundFrom a complaint

Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.

Corrected 2026-07-01

2025-12-05Health inspectionComplaint-triggered4 citations

F-0568

E · No harm foundFrom a complaint

Properly hold, secure, and manage each resident's personal money which is deposited with the nursing home.

Corrected 2026-01-15

F-0600

E · No harm foundFrom a complaint

Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

Corrected 2026-01-15

F-0609

D · No harm foundFrom a complaint

Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

Corrected 2026-01-15

F-0658

E · No harm foundFrom a complaint

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Corrected 2026-01-15

7 earlier / fire-safety inspections (79 citations)

2025-05-19Health inspection29 citations

F-0552

D · No harm found

Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0580

E · No harm found

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0605

E · No harm found

Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0628

E · No harm found

Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0636

D · No harm found

Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0637

D · No harm found

Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0638

D · No harm found

Assure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0640

D · No harm found

Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0641

E · No harm found

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0655

D · No harm found

Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0656

D · No harm found

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0657

E · No harm found

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0658

E · No harm found

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0679

E · No harm found

Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0689

D · No harm found

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0712

E · No harm found

Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0730

E · No harm found

Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0756

E · No harm found

Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0791

E · No harm found

Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0801

F · No harm foundFood safety

Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0812

F · No harm foundFood safety

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0842

E · No harm found

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0941

E · No harm found

Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0942

E · No harm found

Ensure that staff members are educated on resident rights and facility responsibilities to properly care for its residents.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0943

D · No harm found

Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0944

E · No harm found

Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0945

E · No harm found

Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0947

E · No harm found

Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.

Corrected 2025-07-18

F-0949

D · No harm found

Provide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.

Corrected 2025-07-18

2025-02-27Health inspectionComplaint-triggered1 citation

F-0561

E · No harm foundFrom a complaint

Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.

Corrected 2024-12-17

2024-05-22Health inspection14 citations

F-0636

D · No harm found

Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.

Corrected 2024-08-05

F-0656

D · No harm found

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Corrected 2024-08-05

F-0657

E · No harm found

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Corrected 2024-08-05

F-0684

D · No harm found

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Corrected 2024-08-05

F-0688

E · No harm found

Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.

Corrected 2024-08-05

F-0712

E · No harm found

Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.

Corrected 2024-08-05

F-0727

F · No harm found

Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.

Corrected 2024-08-05

F-0791

E · No harm found

Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.

Corrected 2024-08-05

F-0812

F · No harm foundFood safety

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Corrected 2024-08-05

F-0842

E · No harm found

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Corrected 2024-08-05

F-0867

F · No harm found

Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.

Corrected 2024-08-05

F-0880

F · No harm found

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Corrected 2024-08-05

F-0919

D · No harm found

Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.

Corrected 2024-08-05

F-0949

E · No harm found

Provide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.

Corrected 2024-08-05

2023-06-15Health inspection14 citations

F-0636

E · No harm found

Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.

Corrected 2023-08-31

F-0640

E · No harm found

Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.

Corrected 2023-08-31

F-0655

D · No harm found

Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

Corrected 2023-08-31

F-0695

E · No harm found

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Corrected 2023-08-31

F-0726

F · No harm found

Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.

Corrected 2023-08-31

F-0727

F · No harm found

Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.

Corrected 2023-08-31

F-0730

F · No harm found

Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.

Corrected 2023-08-31

F-0745

E · No harm found

Provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.

Corrected 2023-08-31

F-0758

E · No harm found

Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.

Corrected 2023-08-31

F-0761

E · No harm found

Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

Corrected 2023-08-31

F-0812

E · No harm foundFood safety

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Corrected 2023-08-31

F-0842

D · No harm found

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Corrected 2023-08-31

F-0851

F · No harm found

Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.

Corrected 2023-08-31

F-0947

F · No harm found

Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.

Corrected 2023-08-31

2025-05-19Fire-safety inspection3 citations

K-0291

F · No harm found

Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.

Corrected 2025-06-30

K-0324

F · No harm found

Provide properly protected cooking facilities.

Corrected 2025-06-30

K-0354

F · No harm found

Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.

Corrected 2025-06-30

2024-05-22Fire-safety inspection7 citations

K-0291

F · No harm found

Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.

Corrected 2024-07-06

K-0293

F · No harm found

Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.

Corrected 2024-07-06

K-0324

E · No harm found

Provide properly protected cooking facilities.

Corrected 2024-07-06

K-0353

E · No harm found

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

Corrected 2024-07-06

K-0374

E · No harm found

Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.

Corrected 2024-07-06

K-0521

E · No harm found

Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Corrected 2024-07-06

K-0918

F · No harm found

Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

Corrected 2024-07-06

2023-06-15Fire-safety inspection11 citations

E-0004

F · No harm found

Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).

Corrected 2023-08-31

K-0321

F · No harm found

Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.

Corrected 2023-08-31

K-0324

E · No harm found

Provide properly protected cooking facilities.

Corrected 2023-08-31

K-0344

F · No harm found

Have an alternate power supply for its alarm system.

Corrected 2023-08-31

K-0345

F · No harm found

Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.

Corrected 2023-08-31

K-0353

F · No harm found

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

Corrected 2023-08-31

K-0511

E · No harm found

Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.

Corrected 2023-08-31

K-0521

E · No harm found

Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Corrected 2023-08-31

K-0712

F · No harm found

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

Corrected 2023-08-31

K-0761

E · No harm found

To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

Corrected 2023-08-31

K-0923

E · No harm found

Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.

Corrected 2023-08-31

Citations and penalties from the CMS Provider Data Catalog (three-year survey window, refreshed monthly). Severity codes follow the federal scope/severity grid; “Immediate jeopardy” is the most serious grade CMS issues. CCN 325116.

Quality of care & staffing

How it compares in New Mexico.

Inspection citations, 3 years

More than 74% of nursing homes in the state

State median: 71

Federal fines, 3 years

No federal fines on record

State median: $20,748

Nurse staffing, hours per resident per day

4.8

Higher than 94% of nursing homes in the state

State median: 3.5

Resident outcomes

On 15 federal quality measures, this facility does better than the New Mexico average on 3 and worse on 9. Differences within 10% of the average are shown as near average.

Long-stay residents	This facility	State	US	Compared with state
Need for help with daily activities has increased	13.7%	10.3%	13.5%	Worse than state
Lose too much weight	6.9%	3.5%	5.1%	Worse than state
With a catheter inserted and left in their bladder	2.4%	0.8%	0.7%	Worse than state
With a urinary tract infection	5.0%	1.0%	1.5%	Worse than state
Have depressive symptoms	1.8%	2.2%	13.5%	Better than state
Were physically restrained	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%
Experiencing one or more falls with major injury	4.7%	3.4%	3.2%	Worse than state
Assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine	87.5%	96.1%	93.7%	Near state average
Received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication	12.9%	14.8%	19.5%	Better than state
Assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine	77.8%	95.8%	95.3%	Worse than state
With pressure ulcers	8.6%	5.2%	4.5%	Worse than state
With new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence	10.9%	19.2%	18.3%	Better than state
Received an antipsychotic medication	15.6%	14.5%	15.4%	Near state average

Short-stay residents	This facility	State	US	Compared with state
Assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine	71.9%	86.1%	82.3%	Worse than state
Newly received an antipsychotic medication	10.0%	1.2%	1.5%	Worse than state

Source: CMS MDS and Medicare claims quality measures, measure period 2025Q3-2026Q2. Averages are computed from all nursing homes reporting each measure.

Cited more than once

The same rule cited at separate inspections can point to a problem that wasn't fully fixed.

F-0636 3 inspections. Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
F-0812 3 inspections. Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
F-0842 3 inspections. Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
K-0324 3 inspections. Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
F-0628 2 inspections. Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
F-0658 2 inspections. Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Verify & compare

Where to check, and what's nearby.

Who to contact in New Mexico

Licensing: New Mexico Health Care Authority, Division of Health Improvement, Health Facility Licensing and Certification (District Operations)
File a complaint: 800-752-8649 · Online
Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 866-451-2901. A free advocate for residents and families.
Adult Protective Services: 866-654-3219. Some states send facility cases to licensing instead. In an emergency, call 911.
Eldercare Locator: 800-677-1116, a federal service for local aging help.

Nearest emergency hospitals

Lincoln County Medical Center, about 14 miles. CMS rating 2 of 5.
Christus Southern New Mexico, about 19 miles. CMS rating 3 of 5.
Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, about 74 miles. CMS rating 1 of 5.

Source: CMS Hospital General Information. Straight-line distance.

Nearby facilities with inspection records

Betty Dare Wellness & Rehabilitation, Alamogordo, about 19 miles. CMS rating 2 of 5.
Casa Arena Healthcare, Alamogordo, about 21 miles. CMS rating 1 of 5.
Sunset Villa Healthcare, Roswell, about 73 miles. CMS rating 3 of 5.
Casa Maria Healthcare, Roswell, about 74 miles. CMS rating 1 of 5.
Spring River Rehabilitation and Care Center, Roswell, about 75 miles. CMS rating 1 of 5.

Inside your report

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Ownership & corporate history

Primary tier

Prior operators & transfers

Corporate network & affiliates

Owners' other facilities

· · 2 more

Inspection citations — last 5 years

Locked

The 84 citations above are shown free. The report takes each one and explains it in plain English — what the tag requires, how serious the scope/severity grade really is, whether it recurred across surveys — plus the five-year pattern a single inspection can't show.

Civil & criminal lawsuits

Advanced tier only

Active civil suits

Federal dockets

CDC infection data

Unlock the full file

Citations, owner history, lawsuits — decoded into one PDF.

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Original records

Sources we pull for this facility.

Source

CMS Nursing Home Compare

data.cms.gov Provider Data Catalog

Last verified 2026-11-06

Source

Secretary of State filings

Entity & officer search

Pulled when a report is ordered

Source

PACER federal dockets

pacer.uscourts.gov

Pulled when a report is ordered