Walter T. Lee, MD, MHS
Accepting New Patients
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Walter T. Lee, MD, MHS

Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor, Head and Neck Surgeon, Surgical Oncologist

Duke Health Provider question
Accepting New Patients
Call for an Appointment
Where I See Patients
Duke Cancer Center - Durham, NC
Duke Cancer Center Raleigh - Raleigh, NC
Duke Otolaryngology and Oral Surgery Clinic - Clinic 1F - Durham, NC
Duke Raleigh Hospital Head and Neck Oncology - Raleigh, NC
Board Certified
American Board of Otolaryngology, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

About Me

I feel very blessed to have a profession that allows me to serve patients with both cancerous and non-cancerous diseases of the head and neck. As a head and neck surgeon, I carefully weigh the risks and benefits of treatment — working with our team to maximize the chance for cure while maintaining the highest quality of life. As a physician, my approach to patient care includes addressing one's physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs and well-being. My research endeavors strive to improve the care we provide to patients with head and neck cancers. I have had a research program in tumor immunotherapy. I am active in addressing global health needs, being involved with regular humanitarian mission trips throughout the world. I am also active in training the next generation of surgeons that are able to address and solve challenges in an ethical and virtuous way. I have, along with my colleagues, developed and instituted a virtue-based approach to residency training that will meet this need. When not at work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and four kids in a variety of activities.

Current Appointments and Affiliations
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
4.89 out of 5
178 ratings, 28 reviews

Training and Education

Board Certification
American Board of Otolaryngology, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Fellowship
Oncology (Research), Cleveland Clinic (Ohio), 2006
Residency
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Cleveland Clinic (Ohio), 1999-2005
Education
MD, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (Washington, DC), 1999
MHS, Duke University, 2015

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

I have several areas of research which include immunotherapy, global health, medical device development and medical education.

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.
  • Duke -National Univeristy of Singapore
  • Vivo Surgical