Kevin L. Thomas, MD
Electrophysiologist
My Locations
About Me
My focus is on heart rhythm problems. As a doctor, I work with patients to come up with a treatment plan that helps manage their condition. This may involve a cardiac ablation procedure or implantation of a pacemaker or defibrillator. As a researcher, I spend a good portion of my time looking at health disparities with the goal of improving access to high-quality health care for people of all races, genders and ages. I’ve been at Duke since 1999, when I started my residency. I decided to become a doctor because I had an interest in biology while I was in college. I chose cardiology because it is highly technical and gives me the chance to really get to know my patients over the course of treatment. Focusing on the heart also allows me to make a greater impact on health care, since heart disease is so common in the United States. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, including my two young children.
- Donald F. Fortin, M.D. Distinguished Professor of Cardiology, Medicine, Cardiology 2024
- Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Cardiology 2023
- Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, School of Medicine 2021
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Ratings and Reviews
The ratings and reviews are based on patient responses to the overall provider rating question from the survey. The question reads: “Using any number from 0 to 10, where 0 is the worst provider possible and 10 is the best provider possible, what number would you use to rate this provider?” Responses are converted to a 5-point rating system and applied consistently to all providers. Learn more about our survey process. Patients who see some types of providers receive a different version of the patient satisfaction survey. Those results are not available on DukeHealth.org.
Training and Education
Clinical Focus and Research
My goal is to eliminate disparities in cardiovascular care while improving quality of care and outcomes for disparate populations. My research expertise entails interventions that address racial and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular care, outcomes research, and the design and conduct of clinical trials. I hope to further contribute novel methods of addressing disparities in cardiovascular care delivery and outcomes and building a minority clinical trials consortium to assist in the recruitment of racial/ethnic minorities to clinical trials and registries.
- Coles, Sara A., Ilya Y. Shadrin, Sana M. Al-Khatib, Jonathan P. Piccini, Albert Y. Sun, James P. Daubert, Donald D. Hegland, et al. “Use of a Stylet Driven Lead With a Flexible Neck for Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing: A Single Center Experience.” J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 36, no. 4 (April 2025): 771–80. https://doi.org/10.1111/jce.16586.
- Durstenfeld, Matthew S., C Larry Hill, Robert M. Clare, Karen Chiswell, Gretchen Sanders, Shamea Gray, Joseph Vicini, et al. “Association of Cardiologist Clinic Visits With Cardiovascular Primary Prevention Outcomes Among People With HIV From Underrepresented Racial and Ethnic Groups in the Southern United States.” J Am Heart Assoc 14, no. 6 (March 18, 2025): e038462. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.124.038462.
- Mehta, Laxmi S., Kevin L. Thomas, Anne Rzeszut, Jennifer H. Mieres, Melvin Echols, Andrew P. Miller, Michelle N. Johnson, Garima Sharma, Stephen Cook, and Pamela S. Douglas. “Workplace Mistreatment in U.S. Cardiology: A Comprehensive Analysis of Experiences and Implications.” JACC Adv 4, no. 4 (March 17, 2025): 101666. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacadv.2025.101666.
- Pokorney, S., S. Garonzik, G. M. Chertow, J. B. Washam, K. Mussina, N. Bansal, C. Gadegbeku, et al. “Pharmacokinetics of apixaban in patients with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis and atrial fibrillation: results from the RENAL-AF trial.” In EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL, 41:3373–3373, 2020.
- Barbery, Carlos E., Tara Holder, Alexander E. Sullivan, Cindy Green, Manesh R. Patel, Kevin L. Thomas, and William S. Jones. “Comparing acute pulmonary embolism care between black and white patients: Experience of a multi-hospital academic medical center.” In VASCULAR MEDICINE, 25:NP19–20, 2020.
- Pokorney, Sean D., Glenn M. Chertow, Hussein Al-Khalidi, Dianne Gallup, Pat Dignacco, Kurt Mussina, Nisha Bansal, et al. “Apixaban versus Warfarin for Stroke Prevention in Patients With End Stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis and Atrial Fibrillation: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial Assessing Safety.” In CIRCULATION, 140:E988–89. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS, 2019.
Insurance Accepted
Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.
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Aetna
- Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
- Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
- Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice POS
- Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
- Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
- Aetna Open Choice PPO
- Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
- Aetna Select HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice
- Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
- Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
- Aetna/CVS Health
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Ambetter
- Ambetter of North Carolina
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
- Blue Advantage
- Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
- Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
- Blue Select
- NC State Employees Health Plan
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
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Cigna
- Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
- Cigna Choice Plus
- Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
- Cigna Open Access
- Cigna Open Access Plus
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*Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
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Duke Group Plans
- Duke Basic
- Duke Select
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Experience Health
- Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
- Gateway Health Alliance
- Healthgram
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Humana
- Humana Choice (PPO)
- Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
- Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
- MedCost
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Medicare
- First Medicare Direct
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
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NC Medicaid
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
- Carolina Complete Health
- Healthy Blue
- NC Medicaid Direct
- WellCare of North Carolina
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TRICARE
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Select
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United Healthcare
- AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
- AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
- AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
- All Savers Alternate Funding
- All Savers Fully Insured
- United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)**
- United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
- United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
- United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
- United Healthcare Option PPO
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
- United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
- United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.
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**Duke Health does not participate in UHC plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.
External Relationships
- Biosense Webster (Johnson & Johnson)
- Boston Scientific Corporation
- Bristol Myers Squibb