My research focuses on the intersection of metabolism, immunity, and cardiovascular disease. I study how metabolic pathways, including ketone metabolism, influence immune and cardiac function in heart failure. I am also interested in transplant immunology and developing biomarkers to better understand and predict rejection. My goal is to translate insights from basic and translational research into new approaches to improve outcomes for patients with advanced heart failure and heart transplantation.
My goal is to listen, explain the options clearly, and work with each patient to make decisions that help them get back to what matters most.
David M. Elliott, MD, PhD
Advanced Heart Failure Specialist, Transplant Cardiologist
Areas of Expertise
Where I See Patients
Duke Cardiology Clinic - Clinic 2F/2G - Durham, NC
Duke University Hospital - Durham, NC
Board Certified
American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
My goal is to listen, explain the options clearly, and work with each patient to make decisions that help them get back to what matters most.
My Locations
Office:
919-681-5816
Fax:
919-681-7177
Office:
919-684-8111
About Me
I am a cardiologist who cares for patients with heart disease, with a particular focus on heart failure and advanced heart failure. I see patients with a wide range of cardiovascular conditions, including those with more complex heart disease who may need a heart transplant or left ventricular assist device (LVAD). I enjoy getting to know my patients and their families and helping them navigate what can be a complicated and sometimes overwhelming illness.
I chose heart failure because of the opportunity to care for patients over time and build lasting relationships. Every patient has different goals and priorities, and I enjoy working together to find an approach that makes sense for them.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching and playing soccer, and taking on projects around the house with my kids.
LGBTQ+ Identified or Ally
Current Appointments and Affiliations
Patients I Treat
Adults
Languages I Speak
English
Call for an Appointment
Areas of Expertise
Training and Education
Board Certification
American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
Fellowship
Cardiovascular Medicine, Duke University, 2026
Advanced Heart Failure & Transplantation, Duke University, 2025
Residency
Internal Medicine, Duke University, 2018-2022
Education
MD, Duke University, 2018
PhD, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 2015
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 (*Available in select counties only)
- Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
- Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
- Blue Select
- Blue Value (*Duke Health Lake Norman and Kernodle Clinics only)
- 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 Employee Plans
- Cigna Care
- Duke Advantage
- Duke Basic
- Duke Options
- Duke Select
- Duke USA
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Experience Health
- Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
- Gateway Health Alliance
- Healthgram
-
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
- Alliance Health
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
- Carolina Complete Health
- Healthy Blue
- NC Medicaid Direct
- Partners
- Trillium
- UHC Community Plan
- Vaya Health
- 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
Duke requires faculty members to report certain relationships outside of their employment in order to ensure potential conflicts can be addressed. This faculty member has reported no outside activities that relate to their Duke responsibilities.
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