Fremont County, Wyoming · Nursing home
Morning Star Care Center
4 of 5 overall from CMS
4 North Fork Rd, Fort Washakie, WY 82514
At a glance
- Overall rating 4 of 5 Above the state average of 2.9
- Nurse time per resident, per day 5.23 hours Above the state average of 3.87
- Nursing staff who left in a year Not reported
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 16 None at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years $5,168 1 fine
- Certified beds in use 72.7% of 45 beds, on an average day
Arrows only show whether a figure is above or below the state average. They are not a judgment of the home.
Morning Star Care Center is a 45-bed nursing home in Fort Washakie, Wyoming (Fremont County). CMS rates it 4 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 5.23 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, above the Wyoming average of 3.87. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $5,168 in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 45
- Residents per day (average)
- 32.7
- Certified since
- 1994 (32 yrs)
Government - Federal Participates in Medicare and Medicaid
Bed use is this site's calculation: average residents per day divided by certified beds. It is an average, so it does not show today's openings.
Terms used on this page
- CMS
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that publishes the ratings, staffing figures, inspection results and penalties shown here.
- Certified beds
- The number of federally certified beds CMS lists for the home.
- Deficiency or citation
- A federal requirement that inspectors found the home did not meet. Each one gets a letter from A to L for how serious it was and how many residents were affected. What the letters mean
- Actual harm
- Letters G, H and I: actual harm to a resident that is not immediate jeopardy.
- Immediate jeopardy
- Letters J, K and L: the problem caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to a resident.
- Inspection cycle
- A standard inspection plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to it. This page shows the three most recent cycles.
- Special Focus Facility (SFF)
- A home CMS has placed under closer oversight because of its inspection record. More about the program
Questions to ask Morning Star Care Center
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS lists 1 fine totaling $5,168 in the past three years. What changed after the most recent one?Penalties in CMS data
- Reported nurse staffing is 3.98 hours per resident on weekends against 5.23 overall. Who covers Saturdays and Sundays?Weekend staffing in CMS data
- About 72.7% of certified beds are in use on an average day. Are any units closed, or are admissions limited?Certified beds and average residents in CMS data
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 4 of 5 Wyoming average 2.9
- Health inspections 4 of 5 Wyoming average 2.7
- Staffing 4 of 5 Wyoming average 3.6
- Quality measures 2 of 5 Wyoming average 3.3
The vertical line marks the Wyoming average. Ratings run from 1 to 5. How to read CMS star ratings
Nurse staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, as the home reported to CMS.
What these roles do
Nurse aides give most hands-on daily care, such as help with bathing, dressing and meals. Licensed practical nurses give medications and routine nursing care. Registered nurses assess residents and direct their care.
- All nursing staff 5.23 h Wyoming average 3.87
- Nurse aides 3.87 h Wyoming average 2.43
- Licensed practical nurses 0.32 h Wyoming average 0.50
- Registered nurses 1.04 h Wyoming average 0.94
- All staff, weekends 3.98 h Wyoming average 3.37
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 8 hours. The vertical line marks the Wyoming average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnoverNot reported
- Wyoming average51.8%
- Registered nurse turnoverNot reported
- Wyoming average44.1%
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the Wyoming and national averages. marks the measures CMS uses in its quality star rating; for those, the rating gives more points for a lower rate.
Long-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 14.0% | 16.8% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 3.7% | 5.9% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 9.3% | 1.5% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 12.4% | 3.1% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 0.0% | 6.5% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 1.8% | 4.7% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 94.7% | 94.3% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 9.6% | 15.3% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 8.3% | 15.4% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 96.0% | 94.3% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 15.1% | 4.6% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 10.1% | 22.7% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 25.3% | 21.8% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 0.96 | 1.29 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 3.30 | 2.27 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Wyoming | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 53.3% | 77.0% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Too few residents or stays to report | 1.2% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Too few residents or stays to report | 77.0% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | Too few residents or stays to report | 18.9% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | Too few residents or stays to report | 16.7% | 12.0% |
Measure periods: April 2025 to March 2026 for most measures; July 2024 to June 2025 for the flu vaccine measures; January to December 2025 for the hospital and emergency department measures, which CMS risk-adjusts. See the measures on Medicare.gov
Inspection history
Inspectors cited 16 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. None was graded as actual harm or immediate jeopardy. 2 were cited in connection with a complaint investigation.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 10, 2025 | 1 | 5 |
| Jan 25, 2024 | 9 | 3 |
| Jan 12, 2023 | 6 | 4 |
Wyoming homes averaged 7.8 health deficiencies in the latest cycle; the national average is 9.2. Each cycle's health count covers the standard inspection on that date plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to that cycle.
Health citations, three most recent inspection cycles (16)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 22, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 22, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 22, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 1, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
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.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 1, 2024)
Show 11 more
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 1, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 1, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 1, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 1, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 1, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
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.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 11, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 11, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 11, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 11, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 11, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
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.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 11, 2023)
What severity letters A to L mean
Each sentence above is the requirement that was not met, in CMS's wording. For the inspection results as Medicare publishes them, open this home's page on Medicare.gov and look under "Health inspections".
Penalties, past three years
| Date | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2024 | Fine | $5,168 |
Wyoming homes averaged 1.2 fines and $28,128 in fine amounts; the national averages are 0.9 and $30,972.
Cost
Not in the public data. CMS does not publish what a nursing home charges.
Ask the home for its daily private-pay rate and whether a bed is open for your coverage. See what Medicare covers and how Medicaid pays for a nursing home.
Compared within Wyoming
- Size31 of 36 by certified beds
- Wyoming average residents per day55.6
- ChainNone listed
- Resident or family councilResident
- Homes in Fremont County4
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Morning Star Care Center?
Morning Star Care Center has an overall rating of 4 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 4, staffing is 4 and quality measures is 2.
How many beds does Morning Star Care Center have?
Morning Star Care Center has 45 certified beds. It averages 32.7 residents per day, about 72.7% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Morning Star Care Center?
The home reports 5.23 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 1.04 hours from registered nurses. The Wyoming average is 3.87 hours and 0.94 hours from registered nurses.
Has Morning Star Care Center been fined?
Yes. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $5,168 in the past three years.
Does Morning Star Care Center accept Medicare or Medicaid?
CMS lists its participation as "Medicare and Medicaid". Ask the home whether a bed is open for your coverage.
Guides for families looking at this home
- Understanding the recordWhat to ask on a nursing home tourQuestions that turn a home's public record into a useful conversation when you tour, plus what to look for yourself.
- Understanding the recordInspection severity letters A to LHow inspectors grade each deficiency by harm and by how many residents were affected.
- Understanding the recordHow to read CMS star ratingsWhat the overall, health inspection, staffing and quality measure ratings cover, and what they leave out.
Nearest nursing homes
- 2 of 5 Mountain View Skilled Nursing Community at WLRC 40beds 46.0%in use –nurse hours a day
- 4 of 5 Westward Heights Care Center 60beds 91.0%in use 3.73nurse hours a day
- 2 of 5 Wind River Rehabilitation and Wellness 81beds 72.3%in use 3.24nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Fremont County
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home datasets processed Sep 1, 2026. CMS Certification Number 535050. See this home's official record on Medicare.gov
See something shown incorrectly? Tell us. This site shows each record as CMS publishes it and cannot change the underlying record.