Moorhead Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, also referred to as Moorhead Restorative Care or Moorhead Rehab, has been a crucial provider of long-term and rehabilitation services for the Moorhead community and the surrounding Fargo-Moorhead area. The center has operated as both a skilled nursing facility and a place for those needing restorative care following surgeries or medical events. Serving around 30 residents recently, Moorhead Rehab has been a vital resource for families in need of specialized care for their loved ones, often accommodating individuals with complex medical needs and various forms of insurance that may not be widely accepted by other local facilities.
Despite its role in the community, Moorhead Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center has faced significant challenges, leading to the announcement of its impending closure on June 20. This decision came after notification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid that the facility was no longer eligible to receive payment for services, effectively revoking its license to provide skilled nursing care. The closure has been particularly unsettling for families who have residents at the facility, many of whom have struggled to find alternative care options within a reasonable distance. The center’s location, within close proximity to both work and home for many family members, has been especially valued, making the prospect of relocation to another city or region a source of distress.
Throughout its years of operation, Moorhead Rehab has encountered ongoing scrutiny regarding quality of care. Documentation reveals a history of written deficiencies, with a substantial number of Immediate Jeopardy findings and Actual Harm incidents reported between 2011 and 2022. These findings include serious lapses in care, such as a notable case from April 2022 where inspectors reported that the facility failed to provide basic life support measures, including CPR, to a resident who had full code status and physician orders for resuscitation. Such incidents contributed to the ultimate decision by federal regulators to terminate the facility’s participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs.
The closure of Moorhead Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center has created significant uncertainty for the families of its residents. While the facility has indicated intentions to assist families in finding alternative placement for their loved ones, some have expressed concern over a lack of concrete options and the potential impact of relocation. The impending closure marks the end of a long-standing chapter for Moorhead Rehab, a facility that has been both a critical lifeline and, at times, the subject of concern within the community.