FAQ
What is STAR Program certification?
A hospital or cancer center is considered STAR Program certified when it has
completed 12 training modules (10 STAR Program Self-Directed Training Modules
and 2 Expert-Directed Training Modules) and has implemented the Star Program
Manual protocols for physical, occupational and speech therapy.
How can our hospital or cancer center become STAR Program certified?
Your hospital or cancer center can become STAR Program certified by contacting
Oncology Rehab Partners at info@OncRehab.com. The process to become
certified is as follows:
Do You Offer Additional Training for Phase I and Phase II?
Yes, ORP offers over 40 Expert-Directed Training Modules. You can choose from either web-based or on-site training. The training in both options is delivered by our expert trainers.
What are the benefits of STAR Program certification?
The benefits of the STAR Program certification is for hospitals and cancer centers to be able to easily and quickly implement an evidence-based oncology program using interdisciplinary protocols in a fully reimbursable (by 3rd Party Payors) manner resulting in a breakeven point in as little as 3-6 months.
Are the protocols in the STAR Program certification covered by medical insurance?
Yes, the services recommended are covered by 3rd party payors, including Medicare. Oncology rehabilitation fits into established E&M and CPT codes. One of the Expert-Directed Training Modules offered includes an overview of coding and billing for these services.
Do we need to hire new staff members to implement the STAR Program?
No, through the STAR Program, Oncology Rehab Partners works with hospitals and cancer centers to utilize existing resources including physical, occupational and speech therapy services. However, some of our clients do decide that they want to add additional rehab services, because they enhance their oncology services and it is financially beneficial to do so. Nonetheless, we’ve designed the STAR Program to work with the existing resources at your cancer center or hospital.
What kind of patients benefit from the STAR Program?
Anyone who is undergoing cancer treatment, has recently completed cancer treatment, or who is living with unresolved problems from cancer treatment such as musculoskeletal pain, decreased endurance and strength, balance problems, fatigue, etc.
How long will it take us to implement the STAR Program?
Implementation of the STAR Program takes between 3-6 months, depending on a number of factors including the existing resources at your hospital or cancer center. As part of the STAR Program process, we will create a break even analysis for your organization so that you can optimize the timeframe for implementation.
How hard is it to implement the STAR Program?
To make it as quick and easy to implement, Oncology Rehab Partners has created a three step process:
How hard is it to implement the STAR Program?
To make the STAR Program quick and easy to implement, we have created a three step process:
Phase 1—Training
Phase 1 Training includes 10 STAR Program Self-Directed Training Modules that you implement with your staff, and 2 Expert-Directed Web-Based Training Modules. We recommend having someone at your site coordinate each of the modules. The 10 Self-Directed Training Modules can be done weekly by giving the clinical staff the reading materials in advance and then having a one-hour in-service led by the coordinator. The in-service training modules contain evidence-based oncology rehabilitation information and guidelines with review questions, discussion questions, case studies and suggested reading references.
For the 2 Expert-Directed Web-Based Training Modules, you may invite any administrative or clinical staff who are participating in the STAR Program at your hospital or cancer center. We recommend that all of the clinical staff who are completing the Self-Directed Training Modules also attend the Expert-Directed Training.
Although you do not need this for STAR Program Certification, your staff may benefit from the more than 40 additional Expert-Directed Training Modules that are presented either web-based or on-site by Oncology Rehab Partners’ expert trainers. These modules are focused on providing additional information and case studies that expand on the STAR Program Self-Directed Training Modules.
Phase 2—Implementation
Phase 2 is the implementation phase and consists of the evaluation and treatment protocols provided in the STAR Program Manual. The STAR Program Manual is a comprehensive oncology rehabilitation reference guide that includes physical and occupational therapy and speech and language pathology evaluation and treatment protocols. Once Phase 1 (training) is completed, your staff will be ready to implement these protocols and function as an interdisciplinary oncology rehabilitation team. When your site completes Phases 1 and 2, your program is ready to receive the STAR Program certification.
Phase 2 can be supplemented with web-based or on-site STAR Program Expert-Directed Training. Both of these are optional and are not required for STAR Program certification.
Phase 3—Continuing Education
Phase 3 is the STAR Program Self-Directed Continuing Education. In this phase, you will receive a new module every few weeks (4 modules annually) that contains the latest oncology rehab studies and updates—allowing your staff to keep up on the latest research and treatment options in oncology rehabilitation.
Phase 3 can be supplemented with web-based or on-site STAR Program Expert-Directed Training.
How is the training of the clinical staff conducted?
There are 4 different ways that we train your clinical staff in oncology rehabiliation. First, we offer STAR Program Self-Directed Training. The STAR Program Self-Directed Training is a 10-week course that includes one weekly module your clinical staff will independently review. We recommend planning a weekly 1-hour staff in-service to discuss the module and complete the case study, review questions and suggested readings.
Second, we offer long distance training via our web-based STAR Program Expert-Directed Training. There are over 40 expert-directed modules to choose from. Your hospital or cancer center will automatically receive two of these modules when you sign up for the STAR Program Certification training.
Third, we offer on-site expert-direct training that includes either 4-hour or 8-hour seminars directed by one of our experts.
Fourth, we offer STAR Program Self-Directed Continuing Education. Your staff will receive a new module approximately every 8 weeks (4/year) that they can review in a 1-hour in-service similar to how they review the self-directed modules in the STAR Program Self-Directed Training. The continuing education contains the latest oncology rehab studies and updates.
How do I get our patients to use the STAR Program?
We understand how important internal marketing (to your hospital community and referral sources) and external marketing (to your local community) is to the success of your STAR Program. To aid you in “getting the word out”, we have created a STAR Program Press Kit and include a marketing module in our web-based STAR Program Expert-Directed Training or the on-site STAR Program Expert-Directed Training.
Additionally, the personalized STAR Program Survivor Guidebook Kit is a great way to let people know you have a state-of-the-art cancer survivorship program implemented.
How long is my STAR Program certification good for?
STAR Program certification must be renewed every 3 years. As long as your facility keeps up with the STAR Program Continuing Education, your STAR Program certification will be automatically renewed.
Is the STAR Program certification part of complementary medicine?
No, the STAR Program includes conventional evidence-based medical protocols that should be part of every cancer program (as it is for cardiac and orthopedic rehab). The STAR Program includes protocols for an interdisciplinary approach that includes physical and occupational therapy and speech and language pathology evaluations and treatment plans. Rehabilitation healthcare providers may decide to partner with integrated or complementary healthcare providers.