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Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD

(Dr. David Noble Howell, PH.D.)

(No ratings)

Specializes in: Anatomic Pathology

Duke University School of Medicine (1984)

3712 Pathology
Durham, NC 27710

(919) 286-0411

Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD is an anatomic pathologist in Durham, NC specializing in anatomic pathology. He graduated from Duke University School of Medicine in 1984 and has 42 years of experience. Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD is affiliated with Duke Health and DUKE HEALTH INTEGRATED PRACTICE INC.

Office Locations

Duke Health

2301 Erwin Road
Durham, NC 27710

(919) 684-8111

open_in_new

3712 Pathology
Durham, NC 27710

(919) 286-0411

(919) 286-6818

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Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Affordability:

lab tests

In 2023, Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD had a list price for lab tests that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 95% of providers in related specialties within North Carolina. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 25%

By Volume:

special stains

By Affordability:

special stains

In 2012, among providers in related specialties within North Carolina, Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD performed more special stains procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of them and he also had a list price for special stains that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD treated as an anatomic pathologist in Durham, NC during 2012 were lab tests and second opinions.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

lab tests	2267
second opinions	17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD treated as an anatomic pathologist in Durham, NC during 2013 were lab tests and second opinions.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

lab tests	2355
second opinions	19

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	285
Female	177

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	346
Black	93
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	210
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	203

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD in 2013

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	43
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	33
Diabetes	57
Dementia	3
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD treated as an anatomic pathologist in Durham, NC during 2014 were lab tests and second opinions.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

lab tests	1768
second opinions	32

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	238
Female	153

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	295
Black	76
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	164
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	194

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD in 2014

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	29
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	4
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	6
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	29
Diabetes	56
Dementia	3
Cancer	7

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD treated as an anatomic pathologist in Durham, NC during 2015 were lab tests and second opinions.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

lab tests	790
second opinions	18

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	378
Female	230

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	458
Black	112
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	256
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	278

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD in 2015

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	26
Diabetes	60
Dementia	4
Cancer	5

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD treated as an anatomic pathologist in Durham, NC during 2016 were lab tests and second opinions.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

lab tests	908
second opinions	20

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	207
Female	144

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	259
Black	77
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	154
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	162

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD in 2016

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	26
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	33
Diabetes	60
Dementia	7
Cancer	7

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD treated as an anatomic pathologist in Durham, NC during 2017 were lab tests and second opinions.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

lab tests	830
second opinions	30

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	199
Female	116

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	222
Black	73
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	132
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	155

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD in 2017

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	34
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	26
Diabetes	62
Dementia	13
Cancer	7

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD treated as an anatomic pathologist in Durham, NC during 2018 were lab tests and second opinions.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

lab tests	480
second opinions	16

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	101
Female	74

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	122
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	99

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	38
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	28
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	60
Dementia	9
Cancer	7

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD treated as an anatomic pathologist in Durham, NC during 2019 were lab tests.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

lab tests	432

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	85
Female	66

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	108
Black	30
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	67
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	73

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD in 2019

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	34
Diabetes	50
Dementia	11
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD treated as an anatomic pathologist in Durham, NC during 2020 were lab tests.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

lab tests	429

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	105
Female	60

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	121
Black	33
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	85
From 75 to 84	18
85 and over	0
Less than 65	62

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD in 2020

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	33
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	33
Diabetes	62
Dementia	16
Cancer	8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD treated as an anatomic pathologist in Durham, NC during 2021 were lab tests.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

lab tests	559

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	120
Female	72

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	139
Black	41
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	94
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	72

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD in 2021

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	29
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	19
Diabetes	61
Dementia	16
Cancer	8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD treated as an anatomic pathologist in Durham, NC during 2022 were lab tests.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

lab tests	475

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	94
Female	75

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	129
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	92
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	58

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	75
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	26
Atrial Fibrilation	43
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	37
Diabetes	60
Dementia	11
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD treated as an anatomic pathologist in Durham, NC were lab tests and second opinions.

lab tests	1026
second opinions	21

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD.

**Gender**
Male	164
Female	106

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	48
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	199
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	1
85 and over	0
Less than 65	123
65 to 74	114

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD treated were chronic kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Hypertension	68
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	2
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	68
Asthma	6
Osteoporosis	14
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	26
Diabetes	53
Atrial Fibrillation	12
Cancer	7
Dementia	8

Education & Training

Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD graduated from Duke University School of Medicine in 1984. He completed residency at Duke University Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Pathology, Pathology - Anatomic/Pathology - Clinical - General and has a state license in North Carolina.

Medical School: Duke University School of Medicine (1984)

Residency: Duke University Medical Center (1987)

Board Certification: American Board of Pathology, Pathology - Anatomic/Pathology - Clinical - General

Licensed In: North Carolina

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Duke Health

DUKE HEALTH INTEGRATED PRACTICE INC

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD appears to accept the following insurance providers: MedCost, Aetna Traditional Choice, Aetna Medicare PPO, BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, CIGNA Open Access Plus, WellCare, AmeriHealth, Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage, AARP, CIGNA Open Access, United Healthcare PPO, United Healthcare POS, United Healthcare HMO, Aetna, Aetna Workers' Compensation, TRICARE Prime, United Healthcare, Aetna Open Choice PPO, TRICARE Prime Remote, Medicare, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, TRICARE, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Aetna Managed Choice POS, Aetna HMO, Gateway Health Alliance, Alliance Health (*Beginning January 2026), *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan., Duke Employee Plans, Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA), *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan., Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS), Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II, Duke Advantage (*Beginning January 2026), Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO), Blue Advantage (*Available in select counties only), Duke Options (*Beginning January 2026), Duke Basic, Duke USA (*Beginning January 2026), Ambetter, Experience Health, Aetna Select HMO, Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan, Blue Select, Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*, Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO, Vaya Health (*Beginning January 2026), Healthy Blue, Trillium (*Beginning January 2026), Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option, All Savers Fully Insured, Blue Value (*Duke Health Lake Norman and Kernodle Clinics only), First Medicare Direct, Carolina Complete Health, Healthgram, All Savers Alternate Funding, Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP), Aetna/CVS Health, Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice, Partners (*Beginning January 2026), Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan, Duke Select, Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice, NC State Employees Health Plan, Ambetter of North Carolina and United Medical Resources (UMR).

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD accepts the following insurance providers:

MedCost

Aetna Traditional Choice

Aetna Medicare PPO

BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina

CIGNA Open Access Plus

WellCare

AmeriHealth

Medicare Part B

Medicare Advantage

AARP

CIGNA Open Access

United Healthcare PPO

United Healthcare POS

United Healthcare HMO

Aetna

Aetna Workers' Compensation

TRICARE Prime

United Healthcare

Aetna Open Choice PPO

TRICARE Prime Remote

Medicare

Medicaid

Humana

Cigna

TRICARE

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

Aetna Managed Choice POS

Aetna HMO

Gateway Health Alliance

Alliance Health (*Beginning January 2026)

*Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.

Duke Employee Plans

Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)

*Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.

Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)

Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II

Duke Advantage (*Beginning January 2026)

Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)

Blue Advantage (*Available in select counties only)

Duke Options (*Beginning January 2026)

Duke Basic

Duke USA (*Beginning January 2026)

Ambetter

Experience Health

Aetna Select HMO

Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan

Blue Select

Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*

Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO

Vaya Health (*Beginning January 2026)

Healthy Blue

Trillium (*Beginning January 2026)

Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option

All Savers Fully Insured

Blue Value (*Duke Health Lake Norman and Kernodle Clinics only)

First Medicare Direct

Carolina Complete Health

Healthgram

All Savers Alternate Funding

Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)

Aetna/CVS Health

Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice

Partners (*Beginning January 2026)

Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan

Duke Select

Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice

NC State Employees Health Plan

Ambetter of North Carolina

United Medical Resources (UMR)

Ratings & Reviews

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. David N. Howell, MD, PhD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Travere Therapeutics, Inc.	$1,500 $1,500
Novo Nordisk Inc	$21 Ozempic $21
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation	$14 $14

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$1,500
Food and Beverage	$35

Biography

Dr. David Howell is a medical specialist in anatomic pathology. He is affiliated with Duke Health. He graduated from Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Howell trained at Duke University Medical Center for his residency. He seems to be an in-network provider for Blue California, CIGNA Plans, and TRICARE, as well as other insurance carriers.