S. Scott Balderson, PA-C
Accepting New Patients
Duke Health Provider question
I have a responsibility to each patient to communicate in a way that allows them to understand how we evaluate and treat their illness.
– S. Scott Balderson, PA-C

S. Scott Balderson, PA-C

Physician Assistant - Oncology

Duke Health Provider question
Accepting New Patients
Call for an Appointment
Where I See Patients
Duke Cancer Center - Durham, NC
Duke Cancer Center Thoracic Clinic - Durham, NC
Board Certified
National Comm on Certif of Physician Assistants
I have a responsibility to each patient to communicate in a way that allows them to understand how we evaluate and treat their illness.
– S. Scott Balderson, PA-C

About Me

As a physician assistant in thoracic surgery I meet a large number of patients who have been diagnosed with a malignancy of the chest, most frequently lung cancer or esophageal cancer. It is very important for me to build a rapport with patients in those first moments because they are frequently coming to us in one of the most challenging moments in their lives. I have a responsibility to each patient to communicate in a way that allows them to understand the intricacies of how we evaluate and treat their illness. In meeting a patient wherever they are in their understanding, my role includes helping to communicate what can sound like abstract information in a way that makes sense. I can then build a relationship with them so that they can know I am there to walk along with them on their team. I take great inspiration from how patients adapt to complex situations to become empowered to make decisions regarding their care.

Languages I Speak
English

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
4.85 out of 5
179 ratings, 25 reviews

Training and Education

Board Certification
National Comm on Certif of Physician Assistants
Education
BS Physician Assistant Studies, Nova Southeastern University (Florida), 1998

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

My primary area of interest is in minimally invasive thoracic surgery. I am involved in the development of thoracoscopic procedures as well as surgical simulation that can be used to teach these procedures. Over the course of my career I have seen better patient outcomes associated with a number of minimally invasive innovations at Duke, including VATS lobectomy for lung cancer, that have inspired me to help design and participate in post graduate training programs.

Publications
View my publications on PubMed

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

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.