Anchorage, Alaska · Nursing home
Polaris Extended Care
2 of 5 overall from CMS
920 Compassion Circle, Anchorage, AK 99504
At a glance
- Overall rating 2 of 5 Below the state average of 3.4
- Nurse time per resident, per day 4.61 hours Below the state average of 6.88
- Nursing staff who left in a year Not reported
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 84 10 at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years $231,865 4 fines
- Certified beds in use 96.0% of 96 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.
Polaris Extended Care is a 96-bed nursing home in Anchorage, Alaska (Anchorage). CMS rates it 2 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 4.61 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, below the Alaska average of 6.88. CMS lists 4 fines totaling $231,865 in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 96
- Residents per day (average)
- 92.2
- Certified since
- 2013 (13 yrs)
For profit - Limited Liability company Participates in Medicare and MedicaidPart of The Ensign Group (344 homes)CMS abuse citation icon: Yes
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.
- Abuse citation icon. CMS assigns this icon when a home was cited for abuse where residents were found to be harmed, on its most recent standard inspection or on a complaint or infection-control inspection in the past 12 months, or was cited for abuse with potential harm in that period and again in the period before. Signs of abuse and how to report it
These labels are shown as CMS publishes them. They describe the inspection record, not what has changed since.
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 Polaris Extended Care
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS lists 4 fines totaling $231,865 in the past three years. What changed after the most recent one?Penalties in CMS data
- CMS counts 39 health deficiencies in the latest inspection cycle (the standard inspection on May 22, 2025 plus complaint and infection-control inspections); the Alaska average is 9.0. Which have been corrected?Inspection results in CMS data
- Reported nurse staffing is 3.85 hours per resident on weekends against 4.61 overall. Who covers Saturdays and Sundays?Weekend staffing in CMS data
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 2 of 5 Alaska average 3.4
- Health inspections 1 of 5 Alaska average 2.9
- Staffing 5 of 5 Alaska average 4.5
- Quality measures 4 of 5 Alaska average 3.9
The vertical line marks the Alaska 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 4.61 h Alaska average 6.88
- Nurse aides 2.18 h Alaska average 4.06
- Licensed practical nurses 0.69 h Alaska average 0.70
- Registered nurses 1.74 h Alaska average 2.12
- All staff, weekends 3.85 h Alaska average 6.09
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 10 hours. The vertical line marks the Alaska average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnoverNot reported
- Alaska average50.4%
- Registered nurse turnoverNot reported
- Alaska average48.4%
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the Alaska 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 | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 12.9% | 16.7% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 2.6% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 0.2% | 1.4% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 1.1% | 2.5% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 6.5% | 6.5% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 2.8% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 1.7% | 3.2% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 59.1% | 93.3% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 23.1% | 19.5% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 16.0% | 14.7% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 90.6% | 96.0% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 6.4% | 6.9% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 19.0% | 20.0% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 21.0% | 18.8% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 1.14 | 1.00 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 0.83 | 1.36 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 57.5% | 80.0% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 0.0% | 0.5% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Too few residents or stays to report | 85.5% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | Too few residents or stays to report | 15.0% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | Too few residents or stays to report | 11.0% | 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 84 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. Of these, 10 involved actual harm; the rest were graded as no actual harm. 19 were cited in connection with a complaint investigation. The most recent citation at the harm level or above was on Nov 26, 2025: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2025 | 39 | 7 |
| Jul 19, 2024 | 30 | 1 |
| Apr 14, 2023 | 15 | 9 |
Alaska homes averaged 9.0 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 (84)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 30, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 30, 2026)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Complaint investigation · Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 12, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 12, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 12, 2026)
Show 25 more
-
GActual harm, isolated
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 3, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 30, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 30, 2025)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 16, 2025)
-
GActual harm, isolated
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
GActual harm, isolated
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Honor 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.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Ensure 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.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.
Administration · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Complaint investigation · Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure 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.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Honor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 9, 2025)
Showing the 30 most recent of 84.
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 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 |
Alaska homes averaged 0.6 fines and $26,572 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 Alaska
- Size2 of 20 by certified beds
- Alaska average residents per day37.0
- ChainThe Ensign Group
- Chain average overall rating3.2 of 5
- Resident or family councilResident
- Homes in Anchorage3
- Homes in Anchorage3
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Polaris Extended Care?
Polaris Extended Care has an overall rating of 2 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 1, staffing is 5 and quality measures is 4.
How many beds does Polaris Extended Care have?
Polaris Extended Care has 96 certified beds. It averages 92.2 residents per day, about 96.0% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Polaris Extended Care?
The home reports 4.61 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 1.74 hours from registered nurses. The Alaska average is 6.88 hours and 2.12 hours from registered nurses.
Has Polaris Extended Care been fined?
Yes. CMS lists 4 fines totaling $231,865 in the past three years. It also lists 1 payment denial.
Does Polaris Extended Care 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
- 3 of 5 Polaris Transitional Care 50beds 92.6%in use 4.97nurse hours a day
- 1 of 5 Centennial Post Acute 102beds 97.8%in use 4.47nurse hours a day
- 5 of 5 Maple Springs of Wasilla 67beds 97.2%in use 5.06nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Anchorage
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home datasets processed Sep 1, 2026. CMS Certification Number 025036. 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.