Compare 3 nuclear medicine physicians in Durham, NC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
3
Nuclear Medicine Physicians
100%
Accepting patients
100%
Most common: MD
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 3 nuclear medicine physicians. The most common credential is MD (100%). 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. 33% accept Medicare.
For a diagnostic scan, a technologist injects a small amount of radioactive tracer into your vein. After a waiting period (which varies by study), you lie on a scanning table while a camera detects the tracer's distribution in your body. The scan itself is painless. The nuclear medicine physician interprets the images and sends a report to your doctor. Radiation exposure is low and the tracer is eliminated naturally within hours to days.
Duke Health dominates the local market. If your insurance covers Duke, it simplifies referrals and records. If not, Duke Regional Hospital and community health centers offer broader insurance acceptance.
You typically do not see a nuclear medicine physician directly. Your treating doctor orders nuclear medicine studies when needed. Common reasons include cancer staging (PET/CT), evaluating thyroid function, assessing blood flow to the heart (cardiac stress test), detecting bone metastases or fractures (bone scan), and evaluating kidney function. For radioactive iodine therapy for thyroid disease, you will consult with a nuclear medicine or endocrinology specialist.
PET/CT scan: $1,000-6,000 · Bone scan: $500-2,000 · Thyroid uptake scan: $200-1,000 · Cardiac nuclear stress test: $500-3,000
Durham, NC has 3 licensed nuclear medicine physicians. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of nuclear medicine physicians 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.
A PET/CT scan costs $1,000 to $6,000. A bone scan runs $500 to $2,000. A thyroid uptake scan costs $200 to $1,000. A cardiac nuclear stress test ranges from $500 to $3,000. Actual costs in Durham, NC depend on the provider and your insurance plan. PET scans almost always require prior authorization. Ensure the imaging center is in-network and that authorization is obtained before the study. Outpatient imaging centers may offer lower costs than hospital-based facilities.
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.
33% of nuclear medicine physicians in Durham, NC accept Medicare. Medicare covers nuclear medicine studies when medically indicated. PET scans for cancer require prior authorization and must meet specific clinical criteria. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some nuclear medicine physicians in Durham, NC accept NC Medicaid (Healthy Opportunities), the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers nuclear medicine studies in all states when medically necessary. Prior authorization is standard for PET scans and expensive studies. 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 unitedhealthcare, cigna, centene, medicare, and qhp-11512.
Nuclear medicine studies are covered under diagnostic imaging benefits. PET/CT scans almost always require prior authorization from your insurance company. Studies must be deemed medically necessary. Some insurers restrict PET scan coverage to specific cancer types or clinical scenarios. Verify authorization before the study to avoid unexpected costs.