Nurse Practitioners in Durham, NC
Compare 1269 nurse practitioners in Durham, NC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
1,269
Nurse Practitioners
100%
Accepting patients
36%
Most common: NP
Top-Rated Nurse Practitioners in Durham, NC
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Specialty: nurse-practitionerState: NCCity: Durham
About nurse practitioners in Durham, NC
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 1,269 nurse practitioners. The most common credential is NP (36%). 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. 46% accept Medicare.
What to expect at your first nurse practitioner visit in Durham, NC
A visit with an NP is similar to a physician visit. They will take a health history, perform a physical examination, order labs or imaging if needed, diagnose conditions, and prescribe treatment. NPs can refer you to specialists. Appointments are typically 20 to 40 minutes. NPs often spend extra time on patient education, lifestyle counseling, and answering questions. For new patients, expect a comprehensive health history review.
When to see a nurse practitioner
You might see a nurse practitioner for any of the same reasons you would see a primary care doctor: annual wellness exams, acute illness (cold, flu, infections), chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, asthma), mental health concerns, women's health, pediatric care, or geriatric care. NPs are especially common in urgent care clinics, retail clinics, community health centers, and rural areas where physician access is limited. Psychiatric NPs (PMHNPs) prescribe and manage psychiatric medications.
Typical costs
Office visit copay: $20-50 · Annual physical: $0 (covered preventive) · Urgent care NP visit: $30-75 copay · Telehealth visit: $0-50 copay
Browse nurse practitioners by neighborhood in Durham
Frequently asked questions about nurse practitioners in Durham, NC
Durham, NC has 1,269 licensed nurse practitioners. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of nurse practitioners 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 office visit copay is $20 to $50. An annual physical is $0 (covered preventive). An urgent care NP visit copay is $30 to $75. A telehealth visit copay is $0 to $50. Actual costs in Durham, NC depend on the provider and your insurance plan. NP visits cost the same as physician visits from a patient perspective. Insurance copays do not differ based on provider type. NPs often have better availability for same-day and next-day appointments.
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.
46% of nurse practitioners in Durham, NC accept Medicare. Medicare Part B covers NP visits at 85% of the physician fee schedule. Your copay remains the same as for a physician visit. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some nurse practitioners in Durham, NC accept NC Medicaid (Healthy Opportunities), the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers NP visits in all states at the same level as physician visits. NPs serve a significant portion of Medicaid patients, especially in rural areas. 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.
Nearby Cities
Other specialties in Durham
Insurance & Nurse Practitioner coverage
Top accepted carriers in Durham, NC include unitedhealthcare, qhp-11512, cigna, medicare, and centene.
All insurance plans cover nurse practitioner visits. Copays and cost-sharing are typically the same as physician visits. Medicare reimburses NPs at 85% of the physician fee schedule, but this does not affect your copay. NPs are listed in insurance directories alongside physicians. If you are looking for a primary care provider accepting new patients, NPs often have shorter wait times for new patient appointments.
