ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services suspended the license of Prestige Care and Rehabilitation Center in Anchorage Friday, May 15 after an inspection found many operational problems. The Center will continue to operate under a 180-day temporary license with a state-appointed manager. 

“Our top priority is to protect the health and safety of the 98 residents at Prestige with as little disruption in their lives as possible,” said Health and Social Services Commissioner Valerie Davidson. “Our team will monitor the situation to ensure immediate improvement in the facility’s operation.”

Prestige’s chief operating officer stated the company will fully cooperate with the temporary manager.

DHSS found the problems during a standard unannounced recertification visit. Inspectors also had received complaints that a higher-than-usual number of Prestige residents were coming to Providence Alaska Medical Center. The inspection resulted in more than 50 citations and noted seven issues that put residents’ health in immediate jeopardy. Details of the inspection results are confidential until Prestige has had a chance to appeal the inspection results and license revocation. They will then be made public.

The department’s inspection team included two representatives from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Seattle-based Western Regional Office.

The state licenses facilities for operation; CMS certifies facilities to receive Medicare and Medicaid payments. The agencies make the decision together to either close a health care facility or install temporary management.

After 180 days, Prestige may be relicensed if the company has corrected all faults in its operation, or the facility may close.

Members of the public concerned about conditions at, or the operation of, any health care facility should call Adult Protective Services, 1-800-478-9996, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday., If someone is at immediate risk of harm, call 911.

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