Richard C. Mather III, MD, MBA
Hip Arthroscopist, Hip Specialist, Orthopaedic Surgeon
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About Me
I got an early start in sports medicine working with my father. He is a veterinarian for racehorses, and I always say I followed in my dad's footsteps - just in a different species! I was drawn to orthopaedic surgery by the importance I place on enjoying a functional, productive life. Living without pain and being able to pursue the things that bring you joy is much of the essence of life. Thus, my first question for my patients is what they do for work and for fun. My goal is to help you regain productivity and joy in your life. In addition, I have a great interest in personalized care and aligning care decisions with the goals and preferences of each individual patient. In addition, I made a deliberate decision to focus solely on hip preservation surgery to gain a deep understanding of the hip and its function and the skills to deliver the best possible outcomes to my patients.
- Clinical Faculty in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery 2025
- Clinical Faculty in the Department of Population Health Sciences, Population Health Sciences 2025
- Core Faculty Member, Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy, Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy 2024
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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
I am an assistant professor and the vice chairman of practice transformation in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University School of Medicine. I also have faculty appointments in the Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy and the Duke Clinical Research Institute. I direct the orthopaedic practice transformation unit (PTU) that seeks to transform how we care for patients organizationally, financially, and technologically to improve the value of health care and its experience. Through a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, administrators, and researchers, the PTU is able to characterize, implement, and iterate solutions through new care models, payment models, and technology. I am also a decision scientist, performing research in patient preferences and shared decision making with the goal of personalizing care and helping my patients make the best decisions for themselves. Lastly, I perform research on biomarkers, dynamic imaging of the hip and hip arthroscopy outcomes.
- Hip imaging with MR awarded by Stryker Corporation 2019 - 2023
- Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement awarded by Stryker Corporation 2022 - 2022
- Nho, S. J., A. Bedi, M. J. Salata, R. C. Mather, and B. T. Kelly. Hip Arthroscopy and Hip Joint Preservation Surgery: Second Edition, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43240-9.
- Ashley, Lucas W., Kent F. Sutton, Grant H. Cabell, Trevor A. Lentz, Brian D. Lewis, Steven A. Olson, and Richard C. Mather. “Elevated body mass index and obesity are associated with pain-associated psychological distress in patients with hip pain.” Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 145, no. 1 (December 12, 2024): 22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-024-05665-z.
- Lentz, Trevor A., Preston Roundy, Emily Poehlein, Cynthia L. Green, Richard C. Mather, and William Jiranek. “Referral, enrollment, and health care use in a comprehensive patient-centered management program for osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.” Osteoarthr Cartil Open 6, no. 4 (December 2024): 100532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocarto.2024.100532.
- Cabell, Grant H., Nicholas F. Kwon, Christopher Shultz, Carolyn A. Hutyra, Brian D. Lewis, Steven A. Olson, Michael J. Salata, Shane J. Nho, and Richard C. Mather Iii. “Decision-making in borderline hip dysplasia and concomitant femoracetabular impingement syndrome: using a discrete choice experiment to explore patient preferences.” J Hip Preserv Surg 11, no. 3 (July 2024): 167–75. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhps/hnae002.
- Godin, J. A., and R. C. Mather. “A Layered Approach to Patient Evaluation With Prearthritic Hip Pain: History and Physical Examination.” In The Hip: AANA Advanced Arthroscopic Surgical Techniques, 3–15, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003524564-2.
- Godin, J. A., and R. C. Mather. “Governmental Regulation and Availability and Accessibility to Patients.” In Biologic Knee Reconstruction: A Surgeon’s Guide, 221–26, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003522768-33.
- Frank, J. M., E. P. Sandefur, A. E. Federer, R. C. Mather, and D. S. Ruch. “Surgical Technique: Bone Graft for Avascular Necrosis of the Hip.” In Hip Arthroscopy and Hip Joint Preservation Surgery: Second Edition, 1625–30, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43240-9_110.
- Malay, M. R., T. A. Lentz, J. O’Donnell, R. C. I. I. I. Mather, and W. A. Jiranek. “EARLY OUTCOMES OF A LONGITUDINAL, COMPREHENSIVE LIFESTYLE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS IN THE UNITED STATES.” In OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE, 28:S158–59, 2020.
- Allen, K. D., L. Sanders, M. Olsen, L. Bowlby, J. N. Katz, R. C. Mather, B. J. Powers, N. R. Sperber, C. I. Voils, and J. W. Williams. “Effectiveness of internet and DVD decision aids for patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis.” In Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 22:S203–S203. Elsevier BV, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2014.02.389.
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.