CMS F-tag

F609: Abuse, neglect & exploitation

Suspected abuse or crimes must be reported to the state and law enforcement on time. Cited 8,932 times at 5,866 nursing homes in the last three inspection cycles.

#9 of 242 tags3% caused harm53 statesLatest survey Jan 23, 2026

How F609 shows up in inspections

F-TAGF609#9 of 242 tagsAmong the most cited

How serious it usually is

  • Immediate jeopardyJ · K · L2.5%219
  • Actual harmG · H0.5%44
  • No actual harmD · E · F96.9%8,656
  • Minimal harmB · C0.1%13

3% of F609 citations involved actual harm or immediate jeopardy. Nationally, about 5% of all citations do.

By the numbers

  • 8,932Citations
  • 5,866Facilities cited40% of rated nursing homes

Citations by survey year

  • 201875
  • 2019212
  • 202064
  • 2021193
  • 2022507
  • 20232,473
  • 20242,789
  • 20252,610
  • 20269

Partial years reflect the rolling three-cycle window, not a change in enforcement.

Where F609 is cited most

Survey agencies differ in what they emphasize, so compare a facility with its own state. Shares are the portion of each state’s rated nursing homes with at least one F609 citation.

States by share of facilities cited

  • California50% of homes1,089 citations · 572 of 1,154 facilities
  • Texas44% of homes767 citations · 518 of 1,167 facilities
  • Illinois53% of homes646 citations · 350 of 665 facilities
  • Ohio43% of homes539 citations · 389 of 911 facilities
  • New York50% of homes416 citations · 296 of 593 facilities
  • Wisconsin58% of homes392 citations · 187 of 321 facilities
  • Michigan47% of homes341 citations · 198 of 420 facilities
  • Missouri39% of homes289 citations · 187 of 479 facilities
  • Maryland78% of homes274 citations · 171 of 219 facilities
  • Minnesota51% of homes269 citations · 171 of 337 facilities

Top 10 of 53 states. Every state page lists its most-cited tags.

Facilities cited most often

  1. Desert Springs Post AcutePalm Desert, CA · Report card11 F609No harm
  2. Mission Point Nursing & Physical Rehabilitation CeClawson, MI · Report card8 F6091 with harm
  3. Plaza Healthcare CenterSanta Ana, CA · Report card8 F609No harm
  4. Santa Monica Rehabilitation CenterSanta Monica, CA · Report card8 F609No harm
  5. Archer Heights HealthcareChicago, IL · Report card7 F609No harm
  6. Beachwood Post-Acute & RehabSanta Monica, CA · Report card7 F609No harm
  7. Crestwood Health Care Center, LLCFlorissant, MO · Report card7 F609No harm
  8. Gonzales Healthcare CenterGonzales, LA · Report card7 F609No harm
  9. Lakewood Healthcare CenterDowney, CA · Report card7 F609No harm
  10. LA Bella of WoodstockWoodstock, IL · Report card7 F609No harm
  11. Middleton Village Nursing and RehabMiddleton, WI · Report card7 F609No harm
  12. Mirage Post AcuteLancaster, CA · Report card7 F609No harm
  13. Medilodge of FarmingtonFarmington, MI · Report card7 F609No harm
  14. Palm Garden of MattoonMattoon, IL · Report card7 F609No harm
  15. Riverside Postacute CareRiverside, CA · Report card7 F609No harm

What to ask a facility about a F609 citation

  1. What exactly did the surveyor find, and on what date? The report card shows the date and the severity letter.
  2. What was the plan of correction, and was it accepted by the state on the first submission?
  3. Has the same tag been cited in more than one cycle? Repeat citations matter more than a single one.
  4. If the letter was G or higher: what happened to the resident, and what changed in staffing or process?

Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, Nursing Home Health Citations, current three inspection cycles, most recent survey Jan 23, 2026. Counts are citations unless labeled facilities.

Frequently asked questions

What is F609 in a nursing home inspection?
F609 is the CMS F-tag for the requirement "Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities." (Abuse, neglect & exploitation). Surveyors cite it when a facility is found out of compliance with that regulation during a standard survey or complaint investigation.
How common is F609?
F609 was cited 8,932 times at 5,866 facilities (40% of rated nursing homes) in the last three inspection cycles, ranking #9 of 242 tags. 263 of those citations involved actual harm or immediate jeopardy.
Does a F609 citation mean the facility is unsafe?
Not on its own. Read the scope and severity letter: D through F means no actual harm was found, G through I means a resident was harmed, and J through L means immediate jeopardy. Ask the facility what was cited, what was corrected, and when.

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