STAR Center is an outpatient clinic available by provider referral to individuals facing complex illness or medical treatment. Patients do not need to stop treatments to receive care from STAR Center. Just because you have a chronic illness does not mean you have to feel chronically ill. Most insurance plans allow a referral for chronic care as they would for other specialists. Our team can assist you in determining insurance coverage. Co-pays are due at each visit.
Your Primary doctor will continue to treat your disease, and our professionals at Star Center will work as a partner to provide symptom treatment and /or recommendations that will make you feel better.
The goal of this partnership is an improved quality of life.
Together with your existing medical team, the professionals at STAR Center can provide:
Help understanding what to expect over the course of your illness.
Short-term supportive counseling for you, your family and caregivers.
Practical support, including information and referral for community-based services.
Expert treatment of symptoms such as pain, nausea, trouble sleeping, appetite loss, anxiety constipation and shortness of breath.
Support planning for contingencies for you and your family and assistance with advanced care planning and decision-making.
Referral for specialized physical therapy to address fatigue, pain and mobility.
Ask the Expert
Inpatient or Nursing Home Services
Patients may be admitted for inpatient care if their symptoms cannot be managed in an outpatient setting. Once symptoms are under control, the patient will be discharged for continuing care at STAR Center.
Hospital and nursing home consultations can be requested through an order by your provider, a physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
How STAR Center Differs from Hospice Care
The service provided by STAR Center provides guidance and symptom relief during any phase of chronic illness.
There are no life expectancy criteria.
Patients do not have to stop curative or management treatments.
STAR Center can help manage and treat symptoms of Chronic Illnesses. STAR Center treats chronic symptoms of illnesses such as:
Chronic lung disease
Cancer
Chronic heart disease
HIV disease
Chronic kidney disease
Dementia
Parkinson's disease
Multiple sclerosis
Chronic Care Management Q&A
Who is eligible?
Anyone with a chronic illness.
Will my symptoms be relieved?
Yes, as much as possible.
Can I continue to receive treatments to cure my illness?
Yes.
Will Medicare/Medicaid pay?
It depends on your benefit and treatment plan.
Does private insurance pay?
It depends on the plan.
Where will I receive this care?
STAR Center Office (Rouse Building). 531 Washington Street, Suite 1100, Watertown, NY 13601
Skilled Nursing Facility.
Hospital.
How long will I be cared for?
This depends on what care you need and your insurance plan. There is no time limit.
For more information
call STAR Center at 315-755-6086.
STAR Center Care Team
Nurse Practitioner Nancy Barnum, MSN, FNP-BC
Education
St. John Fisher College BA Journalism/Communication
SUNY Brockport BSN
University at Buffalo MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner
Advanced Nurse practitioner Palliative Care Post Masters Certificate
University of California at San Marcos
Prior Employment
Buffalo Veterans Affairs Hospital staff nurse on medical surgical units.
NP in Infectious Disease
Upstate Medical University
NP in acute and chronic pain management
Syracuse Veterans Affairs Hospital
NP in anesthesia Pain Management
Office Manager Erin Boshart
Nurse Practitioner Katherine E. Matas, PhD, ANP-BC, ACHPN-BC
Education
Vanderbilt University, Nashvill, TN
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Loyola University, Chilago, IL
Prior Employment
2005-Present to 2012-10/2020
Flagstaff Medical Center
Palliative Care NP Clinic and hospital | Provider
Flagstaff Family Care Clinic
ANP primary care & Palliative Care NP | Provider
Vanderbilt University
Graduate Program | Clinical Faculty
Talk to your provider about a Referral Today.
Ask your provider to fax a referral request including demographic sheet, history and physical, last progress note and any pertinent imaging reports to: (315) 755-6092