All states › Alaska › Anchorage › Polaris Extended Care
920 Compassion Circle Anchorage, AK 99504 · Anchorage County
All 3 nursing homes in Anchorage, AK (3 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 025036 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Polaris Extended Care a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record
There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for Polaris Extended Care as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Alaska average of 3.6.
Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.
Staffing
Nursing staff spend about 4.78 hours per resident per day at Polaris Extended Care, below the Alaska median of 6.40 (US median: 3.72). About 1.57 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 4.04 hours, 16% below its all-week average. Ask how weekends are staffed.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Polaris Extended Care: Medicare and Medicaid
Polaris Extended Care is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet Alaska's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.
In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.
Health inspections
The most recent standard inspection was on May 22, 2025 and found 28 deficiencies, plus 11 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 84 citations in the last three years.
Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
What the inspections found
Over the last three years, inspectors issued 84 citations at Polaris Extended Care across 10 inspection dates, 19 of them from complaint investigations. 10 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on November 26, 2025. The most common areas cited were resident rights (24) and quality of life and care (18). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift" (tag F0725, level I, July 19, 2024). 5 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
June 11, 2026 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
January 6, 2026 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
FProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
November 26, 2025 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
July 29, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
EEnsure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
EProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
July 15, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
FTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
May 22, 2025 · 33 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
GProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
FHonor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
FDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
FProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
FEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
FProvide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
FEnsure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.
FDevelop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.
EHonor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
EProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
EEnsure 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.
ESafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DHonor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DEnsure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DObtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care.
DEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
DEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
DProvide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.
DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
CConduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
March 17, 2025 · 3 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
GEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
EEnsure 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.
November 26, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DHonor the resident's right to choose his or her attending physician.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
July 19, 2024 · 22 citations, includes actual harm
IProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
IAdminister the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
HHonor each resident's preferences, choices, values and beliefs.
HEnsure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
GRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
FHave 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.
EHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
EHonor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
EHonor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
ENotify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
EProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
EProvide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DObtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DEnsure 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.
DProvide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
DEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
BAllow residents to easily view the nursing home's survey results and communicate with advocate agencies.
April 14, 2023 · 15 citations
EEnsure 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.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DHonor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
DHonor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
DEnsure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
DProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DImplement 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.
DProvide timely, quality laboratory services/tests to meet the needs of residents.
DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Questions to ask on a tour of Polaris Extended Care
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on July 19, 2024 under the rule on nursing and physician services. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on July 15, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Weekend staffing is 16% below the all-week average. Who is on duty on Saturday nights?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?
Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.
Fines and payment denials
5 penalties in the last three years, including $231,865 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 26, 2025 | Fine | $11,492 |
| May 22, 2025 | Fine | $98,865 |
| Mar 17, 2025 | Fine | $10,358 |
| Jul 19, 2024 | Fine | $111,150 |
| Jul 19, 2024 | Payment Denial | 8 days of payments denied |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 1/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 1/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Polaris Extended Care
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
-
1.6 mi
Alaska Regional Hospital AnchorageEmergency room ★☆☆☆☆ Medicare overall 1 of 5Median ER visit 2h 15m for patients treated and sent home
- 1.8 mi
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2.0 mi
673rd Medical Group (Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson) JberEmergency roomMedian ER visit 2h 4m for patients treated and sent home
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
More nursing homes near Polaris Extended Care › All nursing homes in Anchorage ›
Compare Polaris Extended Care with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Polaris Transitional Care · Anchorage · 3 stars · 0.0 mi
Other The Ensign Group nursing homes in Alaska
- Polaris Transitional Care · Anchorage · 3 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 347 The Ensign Group nursing homes ›
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.