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Highlands Lake Center
4240 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813 (opens Google Maps) · Polk County · (863) 646-8699· 179 certified beds · avg 167 residents/day · certified since Sep 29, 1988 · Medicare and Medicaid certified
Certified for both programmes. Certification means the facility can bill Medicaid — it does not mean a Medicaid-funded bed is free right now, so ask directly. Who pays for nursing home care →
Part of chain: ASTON HEALTH (38 facilities, chain avg rating 2.7★)
2/5
Health inspection rating (on-site)
inspected Mar 7, 2024
0
Serious findings on record
$0
Fines, last 3 years
3.49
Nurse hours/resident/day (adjusted)
Every record stays on this page.
What health inspectors found (on-site government inspections — the most independent evidence available)
New to these records? How to read an inspection report →
Health inspection rating: ★★☆☆☆2/5 · CMS overall rating: 2/5 · how star ratings work →
⚠ The most recent standard health inspection was more than 2 years ago — conditions may have changed.
The health inspection star above is graded on a curve within each state — a set share of each state's facilities gets each star level — so a facility can have few citations and still rate 2–3 stars if others in its state did even better. The overall rating combines that inspection score with staffing and quality measures from resident assessments and claims.
Inspection findings in the public record
Showing the latest 3 of 32 inspection findings. Open the full record below to read every finding.
The facility did not provide pharmacy services that meet each resident's needs, or did not employ or contract with a licensed pharmacist. · from a complaint F-0755
The facility did not provide safe and appropriate pain management for a resident who needed it. · from a complaint F-0697
The facility did not honor residents' right to voice complaints without discrimination or retaliation, or did not have a working complaint process that resolves issues promptly. · from a complaint F-0585
View all 32 inspection findingsShow only the latest 3 findings
CMS publishes roughly the last three inspection cycles plus recent complaint investigations. Older surveys drop out of the record as new ones are completed — that window is CMS's, not ours. Within it, every citation CMS publishes for this facility is listed here: none excluded.
| Date | Severity | What the facility was cited for |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 2025 | E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern | The facility did not provide pharmacy services that meet each resident's needs, or did not employ or contract with a licensed pharmacist. · from a complaint · F-0755 |
| Nov 5, 2025 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not provide safe and appropriate pain management for a resident who needed it. · from a complaint · F-0697 |
| Apr 17, 2025 | E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern | The facility did not honor residents' right to voice complaints without discrimination or retaliation, or did not have a working complaint process that resolves issues promptly. · from a complaint · F-0585 |
| Apr 17, 2025 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not provide or obtain laboratory tests when a doctor ordered them, or did not promptly report the results back to the doctor who ordered them. · from a complaint · F-0773 |
| Aug 6, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, including safe support for residents' daily living needs. · from a complaint · F-0584 |
| Aug 6, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not honor residents' right to voice complaints without discrimination or retaliation, or did not have a working complaint process that resolves issues promptly. · from a complaint · F-0585 |
| Aug 6, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not label drugs according to professional standards or did not store them in locked compartments, with controlled drugs (medications with a high risk of misuse) kept under a separate lock. · from a complaint · F-0761 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern | The facility did not give residents proper notice about what Medicare or Medicaid covers, or about charges the resident might owe for services that aren't covered. · from a complaint · F-0582 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern | The facility did not accurately assess a resident's health and needs. Assessments are the foundation for all the care a resident receives. · F-0641 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern | The facility did not coordinate resident assessments with the state's pre-admission screening program for mental illness and intellectual disabilities, or failed to refer residents for the special services they need. · F-0644 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not honor residents' individual preferences, choices, values, and beliefs in their daily life and care. · F-0675 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not provide treatment and care that follows the doctor's orders and matches the resident's own preferences and goals. · from a complaint · F-0684 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not provide appropriate care related to bladder and bowel needs — including care for residents who use catheters and steps to prevent urinary tract infections. · F-0690 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not safely and appropriately administer IV fluids (fluids given through a vein) for residents who needed them. · F-0694 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not provide safe and appropriate respiratory care — such as oxygen, breathing treatments, or care for residents on breathing equipment — for residents who needed it. · F-0695 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not provide pharmacy services that meet each resident's needs, or did not employ or contract with a licensed pharmacist. · F-0755 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility's medication error rate was 5 percent or higher — meaning too many doses were given incorrectly, such as the wrong drug, dose, or time. · F-0759 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not label drugs according to professional standards or did not store them in locked compartments, with controlled drugs (medications with a high risk of misuse) kept under a separate lock. · F-0761 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not protect residents' personal information or did not keep complete, accurate medical records that meet professional standards. · F-0842 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not have or follow an effective program to prevent and control infections — such as proper hand washing, cleaning, and isolation practices. This is the most commonly cited deficiency nationwide. · from a complaint · F-0880 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not keep its building and grounds safe, functional, clean, and comfortable for residents, staff, and visitors. · F-0921 |
| Mar 7, 2024 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not maintain an effective pest control program to prevent or deal with mice, insects, or other pests. · F-0925 |
| Nov 18, 2021 | E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern | The facility did not provide food that accounts for each resident's allergies, intolerances, and personal preferences, or did not offer appealing alternatives. · F-0806 |
| Nov 18, 2021 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not treat residents with dignity and respect, or did not honor their rights to make their own decisions and communicate freely. This is one of the most fundamental resident rights. · F-0550 |
| Nov 18, 2021 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not give residents (and their representatives and the ombudsman, a state advocate for residents) proper advance notice before a transfer or discharge, including information about their right to appeal. · F-0623 |
| Nov 18, 2021 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not give the resident or their representative written notice of how long it would hold the resident's bed during a hospital stay or approved leave. · F-0625 |
| Nov 18, 2021 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not provide enough food and fluids to keep residents healthy, such as preventing unplanned weight loss or dehydration. · F-0692 |
| Nov 18, 2021 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not provide safe and appropriate respiratory care — such as oxygen, breathing treatments, or care for residents on breathing equipment — for residents who needed it. · F-0695 |
| Nov 18, 2021 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility did not provide pharmacy services that meet each resident's needs, or did not employ or contract with a licensed pharmacist. · F-0755 |
| Nov 18, 2021 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility's medication error rate was 5 percent or higher — meaning too many doses were given incorrectly, such as the wrong drug, dose, or time. · F-0759 |
| Feb 28, 2020 | E · Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern | The facility did not label drugs according to professional standards or did not store them in locked compartments, with controlled drugs (medications with a high risk of misuse) kept under a separate lock. · F-0761 |
| Feb 28, 2020 | D · Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated | The facility's medication error rate was 5 percent or higher — meaning too many doses were given incorrectly, such as the wrong drug, dose, or time. · F-0759 |
Inspection trend by year
Citations from standard inspections increased between the last two inspection cycles (8 → 15).
All citationsSerious citations (G–L)
2020
All citations: 2
Serious citations (G–L): 0
2021
All citations: 8
Serious citations (G–L): 0
2024
All citations: 18
Serious citations (G–L): 0
2025
All citations: 4
Serious citations (G–L): 0
All bars start at zero. Exact values and supporting details remain below.
| Year | Citations | Serious (G–L) | Worst severity that year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | E |
| 2021 | 8 | 0 | E |
| 2024 | 18 | 0 | E |
| 2025 | 4 | 0 | E |
Counts reflect the current CMS public record (~3 inspection cycles plus complaint investigations); years with no surveys show no row. Inspection frequency varies, so compare severity as well as counts.
Fines and enforcement (last 3 years)
Nurse staffing (from payroll records, adjusted for how much care residents need)
What these staffing numbers mean →
This facilityFlorida averageU.S. average
Total nurse staffing (hours per resident per day)
This facility: 3.49
Florida average: 4.03
U.S. average: 3.95
Registered Nurse hours
This facility: 0.74
Florida average: 0.76
U.S. average: 0.69
Weekend total nurse staffing
This facility: 3.26
Florida average: 3.68
U.S. average: 3.50
All bars start at zero. Exact values and supporting details remain below.
| Measure | This facility | Florida avg | U.S. avg | Where it stands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nurse staffing (hours per resident per day) | 3.49 | 4.03 | 3.95 | bottom 14% in Florida; bottom 36% in the U.S. |
| Registered Nurse hours | 0.74 | 0.76 | 0.69 | top 41% in Florida; top 33% in the U.S. |
| Weekend total nurse staffing | 3.26 | 3.68 | 3.50 | bottom 18% in Florida; bottom 45% in the U.S. |
| Weekend RN hours (not acuity-adjusted) | 0.66 | 0.53 | 0.48 | top 24% in Florida; top 19% in the U.S. |
| Total nursing staff turnover (%) | 53.5 | 41.4 | 45.8 | bottom 20% in Florida; bottom 28% in the U.S. |
| RN turnover (%) | 46.9 | 46.0 | 42.9 | bottom 49% in Florida; bottom 40% in the U.S. |
Hours are per resident per day for the most recent quarter of payroll data in this CMS release (2026-08-01) — the same quarter for every facility — case-mix adjusted by CMS so facilities caring for sicker residents can be compared fairly (same basis as the CMS staffing star). "Top X%" means better than most facilities: more staffing hours, or lower turnover. Raw (unadjusted) reported hours: total 3.32, RN 0.70, weekend 3.09.Comparing with Medicare Care Compare? Care Compare shows the raw figure (3.32 here, displayed there as hours and minutes), not the adjusted one above. Both are correct; they answer different questions. Staffing rating: 3/5.
Quality measures: assessments & claims
Note: CMS combines facility-reported resident assessments (MDS) with claims-based measures. These are different sources from on-site inspection findings. Read the measures alongside inspection and staffing records; a high QM rating does not establish that a home is safe.
Quality measures rating: 4/5 · long-stay residents: 5/5 · short-stay residents: 2/5
Costs & payment
Price evidence · separate from quality
No verified facility-specific private-pay price is available in our data for Highlands Lake Center. CMS inspection and staffing records do not tell us what this home will charge you.
Calculate a stay from a quote you receive
Use a written private-pay quote. This worksheet adds only the amounts you enter; it does not calculate Medicare, Medicaid or insurance benefits.
Formula: (room rate + daily extras) × days + one-time charges. A 30-day scenario is not a calendar-month quote. Refundable deposits, rate changes and charges you omit are not automatically included. Entries are not saved or sent to our server.
Before you compare prices
- Request the room type, effective date and itemized daily rate in writing.
- Ask about therapy, medicines, supplies, care-level charges, deposits, refunds and annual increases.
- Confirm insurance or Medicaid eligibility and bed availability directly; certification alone does not guarantee either.
Understand who pays for care · How we handle price evidence · Report an incorrect price
Who owns this facility
How to read ownership records →
Ownership records as published by CMS on 2026-08-01. CMS records when an owner joined but not when they left. Listed here and no longer involved? Tell us →
For profit - Corporation
| Owner / manager | Type | Role | Stake | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friedman, Leopold | Individual | Indirect Ownership Interest | NOT APPLICABLE | 12/15/2023 |
| Gabriel Living Center, LLC | Organization | Direct Ownership Interest | NOT APPLICABLE | 12/15/2023 |
| Gutman, Samuel | Individual | Indirect Ownership Interest | NOT APPLICABLE | 01/01/2021 |
| Highlands Lake Holdco LLC | Organization | Direct Ownership Interest | NOT APPLICABLE | 12/15/2023 |
| Lce Partners LLC | Organization | Indirect Ownership Interest | NOT APPLICABLE | 01/01/2021 |
| Aston Healthcare LLC | Organization | ADP of the SNF | NOT APPLICABLE | 07/09/2025 |
| Burgess, Tammie | Individual | Managing Control - Governing Body | NOT APPLICABLE | 05/08/2025 |
| Burgess, Tammie | Individual | Operational/Managerial Control | NOT APPLICABLE | 05/08/2025 |
| Prashad, Shaliza | Individual | Operational/Managerial Control | NOT APPLICABLE | 11/07/2023 |
| Reinoso, Jose | Individual | Operational/Managerial Control | NOT APPLICABLE | 06/10/2022 |
| Reinoso, Jose | Individual | ADP of the SNF | NOT APPLICABLE | 07/09/2025 |
| Thacker, Tricia | Individual | Operational/Managerial Control | NOT APPLICABLE | 04/04/2022 |
| Williams, Ellis | Individual | Operational/Managerial Control | NOT APPLICABLE | 01/02/2024 |
| Williams, Ellis | Individual | ADP of the SNF | NOT APPLICABLE | 03/18/2025 |
All 14 owning or managing parties CMS has on file are shown — none excluded.
Other facilities in the same chain
CMS lists this facility under the chain Aston Health — 38 facilities in the current records. Chain membership says who operates these homes. It says nothing about how any individual one of them was inspected; each has its own record.
- Hillside Health and Rehabilitation Center — Zephyrhills, FL · overall 3/5
- Indian River Center — West Melbourne, FL · overall 2/5
- Island Lake Center — Longwood, FL · overall 4/5
- Kensington Gardens Rehab and Nursing Center — Clearwater, FL · overall 1/5
- Meadowpark Health and Rehabilitation Center — Dunedin, FL · overall 4/5
- North Port Rehabilitation and Nursing Center — North Port, FL · overall 2/5
- Nursing & Rehabilitation Center of New Port Richey — New Port Richey, FL · overall 1/5
- Oak Haven Rehab and Nursing Center — Auburndale, FL · overall 1/5
Listed by state, then facility name — not a ranking. Showing 8 of the 37 others, continuing from this facility's own place in that list.
Questions to ask on your visit
Generated from this facility's actual citation record — bring them to a tour and ask the administrator directly.
- "How does your pharmacist review residents' medications, and how quickly can you fill new or urgent prescriptions?"
- "How do you assess and manage residents' pain, especially for those who have trouble communicating?"
- "Walk me through what happens when a resident or family files a grievance — who responds and how fast?"
- "When a doctor orders lab work, how quickly is it done and how are results communicated back?"
- "Can we tour the resident rooms, bathrooms, and common areas today, including areas not on the usual tour route?"
- "Can you show me how medications are stored and secured on the units, including controlled drugs?"
- "Before any service that isn't covered by Medicare or Medicaid, how will you notify us and get our agreement?"
- "Who completes resident assessments here, and how do you check them for accuracy?"
Also worth asking anywhere
- "Your weekend nurse staffing is reported below the Florida midpoint — how does the weekend schedule differ from a weekday?"
- "Can I see the plan of correction for the findings in your most recent state inspection?"
- "CMS reports 54% total nursing staff turnover here — who on the care team has been with you longest?"
- "The ownership record on file lists 14 owning or managing parties — who makes the decisions about staffing levels?"
- "Can I visit again unannounced, at a mealtime or on a weekend?"
Nearby facilities (12 closest of 23 within 20 miles)
| Facility | Distance | City | Overall | Inspection | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center | 3.0 mi | Lakeland, FL | ★★☆☆☆ | 1/5 | abuse |
| Bridgewalk on Harden Health and Rehabilitation, LL | 3.2 mi | Lakeland, FL | ★☆☆☆☆ | 1/5 | |
| Florida Presbyterian Homes INC | 3.8 mi | Lakeland, FL | ★★★★★ | 3/5 | |
| Charming Lakes Rehab | 5.8 mi | Lakeland, FL | ★★☆☆☆ | 2/5 | |
| Lakeland Hills Center | 5.9 mi | Lakeland, FL | ★★☆☆☆ | 1/5 | |
| Vivo Healthcare Lakeland | 6.0 mi | Lakeland, FL | ★☆☆☆☆ | 1/5 | |
| Valencia Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center | 8.1 mi | Lakeland, FL | ★☆☆☆☆ | 1/5 | |
| Manor at Carpenters, the | 8.2 mi | Lakeland, FL | ★★★★☆ | 4/5 | |
| The Club at Lake Gibson | 8.2 mi | Lakeland, FL | ★★★☆☆ | 2/5 | |
| Wedgewood Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center | 8.2 mi | Lakeland, FL | ★★☆☆☆ | 3/5 | |
| Breezy Hills Rehab and Care Center | 8.5 mi | Lakeland, FL | ★★☆☆☆ | 2/5 | |
| Bartow Center | 9.5 mi | Bartow, FL | ★★☆☆☆ | 2/5 |
Compare this facility with the 3 closest →
Other facilities in the same county
CMS records place this facility in Polk, FL — 25 certified facilities there. These are outside the 20-mile list above, or far enough down it not to appear.
- Lake Mariam Health and Rehabilitation Center — Winter Haven, FL · overall 2/5SFF
- Lake Wales Health and Rehabilitation Center — Lake Wales, FL · overall 1/5
- Life Care Center of Winter Haven — Winter Haven, FL · overall 4/5
- Oak Haven Rehab and Nursing Center — Auburndale, FL · overall 1/5
- Palm Garden of Winter Haven — Winter Haven, FL · overall 4/5
Listed by facility name — not a ranking. Homes already in the table above are not repeated here.
Facility data as of CMS processing date 2026-08-01. CCN 105620.
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