Compare 20 clinical nurse specialists in Durham, NC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
20
Clinical Nurse Specialists
100%
Accepting patients
25%
Most common: CNS
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Durham is a Duke town when it comes to healthcare. Duke University Hospital is a top-10 nationally ranked medical center, and the Duke Health system is by far the dominant provider in the city. For residents who need something beyond what Duke offers locally, UNC Chapel Hill is only 15 minutes west. The concentration of biotech and pharmaceutical companies in Research Triangle Park means the area attracts physicians who want to be near research.
Durham has 20 clinical nurse specialists. The most common credential is CNS (25%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Downtown Durham, Brightleaf District, Ninth Street, and Trinity Park.
Durham is compact compared to Raleigh and Charlotte. Duke University Hospital and Duke Regional Hospital are both within a few miles of downtown. Most medical offices cluster along Erwin Road near the Duke campus or along NC-147 (Durham Freeway). Getting to UNC Chapel Hill is a straight shot west on I-40. The area is small enough that most drives to medical appointments are under 15 minutes.
Nearby hospitals include Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Durham VA Health Care System. Local training programs run through Duke University School of Medicine and North Carolina Central University. Duke University Hospital is consistently ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the nation.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is the dominant carrier, with strong Duke Health network coverage. UnitedHealthcare and Aetna are common through large employers and the biotech sector. NC Medicaid through WellCare and AmeriHealth Caritas covers Duke Regional and community health centers. Duke's employee health plan is one of the largest in the Triangle. 10% accept Medicare.
An appointment with a CNS depends on the specialty. For a diabetes management visit, expect a thorough review of your blood sugar logs, medication adjustment, and education on diet and self-management (30 to 60 minutes). For wound care, the CNS will assess the wound, develop a treatment plan, and teach you or your caregivers how to perform dressing changes. For psychiatric CNS visits, expect therapy sessions similar to those with other mental health providers. CNSs take time to educate and empower patients to manage their conditions. They coordinate with your other healthcare providers.
You may work with a CNS in a hospital or clinic setting without specifically seeking one out. CNSs manage complex chronic conditions (wound care, diabetes, heart failure), lead specialized programs (pain management, oncology symptom management, critical care recovery), and provide expert consultations for difficult cases. In outpatient settings, CNSs may run specialized clinics for diabetes education, wound care, or heart failure management. In psychiatric settings, CNSs provide therapy and medication management. If you are referred to a specialized program or clinic within a healthcare system, a CNS may be leading your care.
Outpatient visit copay: $20-50 · Wound care visit: $30-75 copay · Diabetes education program: covered by most plans · Inpatient CNS care: included in hospital charges
Durham, NC has 20 licensed clinical nurse specialists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of clinical nurse specialists in Durham, NC are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has the broadest network and covers most Duke providers. Some Duke specialists may require prior authorization. NC Medicaid is accepted at Duke Regional and Lincoln CHC.
An outpatient visit copay is $20 to $50. A wound care visit copay is $30 to $75. A diabetes education program is covered by most plans. Inpatient CNS care is included in hospital charges. Actual costs in Durham, NC depend on the provider and your insurance plan. CNS services are billed similarly to NP services. Most patients encounter CNSs through hospital or clinic programs rather than independent practice. Specialized CNS clinics (wound care, diabetes) are covered under your medical benefit.
Duke Health is the primary system in Durham. Duke University Hospital handles complex and specialty care, while Duke Regional Hospital provides community-level services. For non-Duke options, Lincoln Community Health Center and UNC Health (in nearby Chapel Hill) are alternatives.
10% of clinical nurse specialists in Durham, NC accept Medicare. Medicare covers CNS services at 85% of the physician fee schedule. Standard Part B cost-sharing applies. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some clinical nurse specialists in Durham, NC accept NC Medicaid (Healthy Opportunities), the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers CNS services in most states. Coverage levels parallel other APRN coverage. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm NC Medicaid (Healthy Opportunities) participation before scheduling.
No. Duke provides primary care, routine specialist visits, and urgent care alongside its nationally ranked specialty programs. Duke Primary Care has offices throughout Durham for everyday medical needs.
Durham's Lincoln Community Health Center accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and offers sliding-scale fees. UNC Health facilities in Chapel Hill (a 15-minute drive) may also be in your network. Duke Regional Hospital accepts a broader range of plans than the main Duke campus.
Top accepted carriers in Durham, NC include cigna, qhp-11512, unitedhealthcare, medicare, and qhp-17091.
CNS services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance. Medicare reimburses at 85% of the physician fee schedule for CNS services. Most patients encounter CNSs as part of their care team in hospitals and clinics, where billing is handled by the facility. For outpatient CNS-led clinics (wound care, diabetes education), verify the CNS is credentialed with your insurance plan. Specialized programs led by CNSs (diabetes self-management education, cardiac rehabilitation) are often covered as a medical benefit with standard copays.