Ralph Abi Hachem, MD, MSc
Accepting New Patients
Duke Health Provider question
I strongly believe in providing excellence in care to our patient using cutting-edge research and individualized treatment.
– Ralph Abi Hachem, MD, MSc

Ralph Abi Hachem, MD, MSc

Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor, Head and Neck Surgeon, Sinus Specialist

Duke Health Provider question
Accepting New Patients
Call for an Appointment
Areas of Expertise
Where I See Patients
Davis Ambulatory Surgical Center - Durham, NC
Duke Otolaryngology South Durham - Durham, NC
Duke Otolaryngology and Oral Surgery Clinic - Clinic 1F - Durham, NC
Board Certified
American Board of Otolaryngology, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
I strongly believe in providing excellence in care to our patient using cutting-edge research and individualized treatment.
– Ralph Abi Hachem, MD, MSc

About Me

I am an otolaryngologist, head and neck surgeon, and sinus specialist, with a special interest in diseases affecting the nose and sinuses, endoscopic sinus surgery and in-office sinus procedures, benign and malignant tumors of the nose, as well as diseases affecting the base of the skull that can be treated surgically using a minimally invasive technique. New technologies help us resect tumors that can be reached through the nostrils using an endoscope, especially tumors at the base of the skull, with no external scars, and a faster recovery. My philosophy consists of carefully listening to my patient’s symptoms and needs in order to identify the correct diagnosis and deliver optimal personalized management. Being a part of the Duke Health team allows me to provide my patients with top-notch care using cutting-edge therapies and research with the help of a multidisciplinary team consisting of colleagues I can trust and who share the same vision of excellence in care as I do. When I am not on the job or talking passionately about rhinology and skull base surgery, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, outdoor activities, soccer and tennis. I strongly believe in the mission of Duke Health in providing excellence in care to our patients and their loved ones using cutting-edge research and individualized treatment. I am humbled and inspired to be part of such a noble cause.

Current Appointments and Affiliations
Languages I Speak
English, Arabic, French, Spanish

Call for an Appointment

Ratings and Reviews

The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Learn more about our survey process. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score. Patients who see some types of providers receive a different version of the patient satisfaction survey. Those results are not available on DukeHealth.org.

Overall Provider Rating
4.78 out of 5
450 ratings, 62 reviews

Training and Education

Board Certification
American Board of Otolaryngology, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Fellowship
Clinical Fellowship, Advanced Rhinology-Skull Base Oncology and Surgery, The Ohio State University, 2015-2016
Research Fellowship, Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Miami, 2009-2010
Residency
Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital, 2010-2015
Education
MD, Saint Joseph University School of Medicine, 2008
MS, Saint Joseph University School of Medicine, 2008

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

My current research is focused on optimizing patients’ outcomes in skull base surgery, sinonasal oncology and inflammatory diseases of the sinuses. I have contributed to more than 18 peer-reviewed articles, co-edited a textbook on sinonasal disorders, authored and co-authored book chapters published in six different textbooks, presented more than 20 oral presentations and performed live cadaveric sinonasal and skull base dissections at national and international meetings.

Publications and Grants

Insurance Accepted

Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.

    • 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
    • Ambetter of North Carolina
    • Blue Advantage
    • Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
    • Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
    • Blue Select
    • NC State Employees Health Plan
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.

    • Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
    • Cigna Choice Plus
    • Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
    • Cigna Open Access
    • Cigna Open Access Plus
    • *Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.

    • Duke Basic
    • Duke Select
    • Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
  • Gateway Health Alliance
  • Healthgram
    • 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
    • First Medicare Direct
    • Medicare Part A
    • Medicare Part B
    • AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
    • Carolina Complete Health
    • Healthy Blue
    • NC Medicaid Direct
    • WellCare of North Carolina
    • TRICARE Prime
    • TRICARE Prime Remote
    • TRICARE Select
    • 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)
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.

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

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies or institutions listed below. This information has been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.
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