Christopher D. Lunsford, MD
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My expertise is rehabilitation medicine, but children and their caregivers are the experts on what thriving with a disability means to them.
– Christopher D. Lunsford, MD

Christopher D. Lunsford, MD

Pediatric Physiatrist

Duke Health Provider question
Not Accepting New Patients
For Returning Patients
Call for an Appointment
Where I See Patients
Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center - Durham, NC
Lenox Baker Children's Hospital - Durham, NC
Board Certified
American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitat, Physical Medicine & Rehabilita
American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitat, Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine
My expertise is rehabilitation medicine, but children and their caregivers are the experts on what thriving with a disability means to them.
– Christopher D. Lunsford, MD

About Me

As a doctor, my strength is helping children with physical disabilities due to muscle tone or coordination issues. For example, if a child has cerebral palsy, stroke, or spinal cord injury, I help develop a rehabilitation plan of care. Over time, I continuously update and monitor the progress of our plan of care together. I take your goals, related to mobility and day-to-day activities, and make them my own. In order to achieve these goals, I can coordinate the child’s rehabilitation therapy plans, order therapeutic bracing for arms and legs, and prescribe medical equipment, such as adaptive wheelchairs. When helpful, I also offer medicines or procedures to decrease muscle tightness and/or improve coordination issues.

Current Appointments and Affiliations
Languages I Speak
English

Call for an Appointment

Training and Education

Board Certification
American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitat, Physical Medicine & Rehabilita
American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitat, Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine
Fellowship
Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (Pennsylvania), 2013-2015
Residency
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Virginia, 2010-2013
Transitional Year, Spartanburg Regional Hospital (South Carolina), 2009-2010
Education
MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2009

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

My research areas of interest include cerebral palsy, assistive and adaptive technology, and disability advocacy in health care.

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.
  • DeVore Acton & Stafford, PA
  • Nuance Communications, Inc
  • Victory Junction Camp
  • World Pediatric Project