Richard J. O'Brien, MD, PhD
Accepting New Patients
Duke Health Provider question
I partner with the patient and the family in trying to keep the patient as safe, happy, and healthy as possible.
– Richard J. O'Brien, MD, PhD

Richard J. O'Brien, MD, PhD

Neurologist

Duke Health Provider question
Accepting New Patients
Call for an Appointment
Where I See Patients
Duke Neurology Morreene Road - Durham, NC
Board Certified
American Board of Internal Med, Internal Medicine
American Board of Psychiatry/Neurology, Neurology
I partner with the patient and the family in trying to keep the patient as safe, happy, and healthy as possible.
– Richard J. O'Brien, MD, PhD

About Me

I see patients with memory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. In almost every encounter, I feel like I see two patients: the person with the disease and the person taking care of the person with the disease. The caregiver often needs as much attention as the patient because they are under a lot of stress, so I offer helpful tips, advice, encouragement, and resources. These diseases don’t have cures, so I spend a lot of time talking with caregivers, diagnosing the disease, and helping families cope. There are some medicines we use for these diseases, but their effect is fairly limited, so we also try to treat side effects, such as depression or behavioral problems. It’s a partnership between the doctor, the patient, and the family trying to keep the patient as safe, happy, and healthy as possible. I am also involved in research projects and enjoy both seeing patients and studying their diseases in the lab.

Current Appointments and Affiliations
Languages I Speak
English

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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
4.69 out of 5
95 ratings, 14 reviews

Training and Education

Board Certification
American Board of Internal Med, Internal Medicine
American Board of Psychiatry/Neurology, Neurology
Fellowship
Neuromuscular Diseases, Johns Hopkins Hospital (Maryland), 1992-1993
Residency
Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 1985-1988
Neurology, Johns Hopkins Hospital (Maryland), 1989-1992
Education
MD, Harvard University (Massachusetts), 1985
PhD, Pharmacology, Harvard University (Massachusetts), 1985

Clinical Focus and Research

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.
  • UCB Pharmaceuticals and its CRO Icon plc