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Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA

Accepting New Patients
Specializes in: Otology and Neurotology
Harvard Medical School (1990)
Professional interests include: cholesteatoma, skull base surgery, acoustic neuroma, and more.
234 Crooked Creek Parkway
Durham, NC 27713

Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA is an otologist and neurotologist in Durham, NC specializing in otology and neurotology. He graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1990 and has 35 years of experience. Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA is affiliated with Duke Health and DUKE HEALTH INTEGRATED PRACTICE INC.

View Doctor's Full Profile (919) 385-5300

Office Locations

Duke Health

234 Crooked Creek Parkway
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 385-5300
(919) 385-5321
open_in_new

Duke Health

40 Duke Medicine Circle
Durham, NC 27710
(919) 684-2426
(919) 684-8583
open_in_new

Some issues Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA can help you with:

Cochlear Implant Surgery

A cochlear implant is an electronic device that helps people with severe hearing loss. Although it does not treat deafness or restore hearing, it can help its users to better perceive sounds. For adults, a cochlear implant is typically recommended when traditional hearing aids are unhelpful. Children may also benefit from a cochlear implant if they are born deaf or do not fully develop auditory skills. Surgery to implant the device is called cochlear implant surgery.

Implantation begins with an incision behind the ear. The surgeon will make an opening in the portion of the ear responsible for hearing, called the cochlea. The internal portion of the implant is then placed under the skin and attached to the skull, and the incision is closed. Part of the device is placed externally, behind the ear, and connected to the internal portion by a magnet.

Cochlear implant surgery may take between one and four hours. Most patients may return home the same day or the following morning. After surgery, patients will need to follow up with their doctor and specialists for fitting and programming of the device.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“"When we're young, we think nothing can ever threaten us," said Dr. Howard W. Francis, a professor of otolaryngology at the Duke University School of Medicine.”—"Your Hearing Can Get Worse as You Age. Here's How to Protect It.", New York Times, May 2025
“"Cuando somos jovenes, pensamos que nada puede amenazarnos", dijo Howard Francis, catedratico de otorrinolaringologia de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Duke.”—"Como proteger tus oidos del paso del tiempo", New York Times, May 2025
“Pero cuando estas congestionado por algo como un resfriado, alergias o una infeccion sinusal, el revestimiento puede hincharse, lo que puede obstruir la trompa, dijo Howard W. Francis, profesor de...”—"Por que duelen los oidos en los aviones y como prevenirlo", New York Times, November 2024

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Durham, NC during 2013 were ear procedures and implant surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 226
ear procedures 97
implant surgery 11

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA.

Gender
Male 110
Female 127
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 185
Black 40
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 83
From 75 to 84 102
85 and over 22
Less than 65 30

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA in 2013

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated during 2013 were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension 68
High Cholesterol 54
Stroke 6
Ischemic Heart Disease 29
Depression 18
Chronic Kidney Disease 16
Asthma 6
Osteoperosis 5
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 10
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 6
Diabetes 29
Dementia 8
Cancer 13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Durham, NC during 2014 were ear procedures and debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA for Medicare patients.

debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue) 29
doctor visit 277
ear procedures 123

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA.

Gender
Male 102
Female 138
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 193
Black 32
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 105
From 75 to 84 77
85 and over 28
Less than 65 30

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA in 2014

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated during 2014 were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

Hypertension 68
High Cholesterol 56
Stroke 5
Ischemic Heart Disease 32
Depression 13
Chronic Kidney Disease 18
Asthma 8
Osteoperosis 5
Atrial Fibrilation 10
Heart Failure 13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 8
Diabetes 29
Dementia 9
Cancer 13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Durham, NC during 2015 were ear procedures and debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA for Medicare patients.

debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue) 12
doctor visit 255
ear procedures 86

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA.

Gender
Male 232
Female 294
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 414
Black 74
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 248
From 75 to 84 156
85 and over 66
Less than 65 56

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA in 2015

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated during 2015 were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension 60
High Cholesterol 57
Stroke 5
Ischemic Heart Disease 27
Depression 16
Chronic Kidney Disease 16
Asthma 8
Osteoperosis 7
Atrial Fibrilation 7
Heart Failure 11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 5
Diabetes 29
Dementia 5
Cancer 11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Durham, NC during 2016 were ear procedures and implant surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 255
ear procedures 102
implant surgery 13

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA.

Gender
Male 109
Female 131
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 186
Black 34
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 115
From 75 to 84 78
85 and over 28
Less than 65 19

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA in 2016

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated during 2016 were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

Hypertension 65
High Cholesterol 51
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 28
Depression 18
Chronic Kidney Disease 18
Asthma 11
Osteoperosis 8
Atrial Fibrilation 7
Heart Failure 8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 7
Diabetes 23
Dementia 5
Cancer 10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 67

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA.

Gender
Male 36
Female 56
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 73
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 46
From 75 to 84 33
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA in 2017

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated during 2017 were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

Hypertension 73
High Cholesterol 42
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 37
Depression 27
Chronic Kidney Disease 28
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 12
Heart Failure 13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 14
Diabetes 35
Dementia 0
Cancer 14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 82

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA.

Gender
Male 37
Female 64
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 75
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 60
From 75 to 84 25
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA in 2018

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated during 2018 were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and diabetes.

Hypertension 57
High Cholesterol 49
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 21
Depression 26
Chronic Kidney Disease 18
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 23
Dementia 0
Cancer 12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 105

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA.

Gender
Male 37
Female 62
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 75
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 51
From 75 to 84 28
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA in 2019

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated during 2019 were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension 58
High Cholesterol 51
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 27
Depression 16
Chronic Kidney Disease 24
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 11
Heart Failure 12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 22
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 74

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA.

Gender
Male 36
Female 57
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 71
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 52
From 75 to 84 21
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA in 2020

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated during 2020 were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension 55
High Cholesterol 40
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 22
Depression 24
Chronic Kidney Disease 13
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 19
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 80

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA.

Gender
Male 42
Female 48
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 66
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 51
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA in 2021

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated during 2021 were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and depression.

Hypertension 57
High Cholesterol 51
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 20
Depression 24
Chronic Kidney Disease 21
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 26
Dementia 0
Cancer 0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 55

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA.

Gender
Male 34
Female 52
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 63
Black 11
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 45
From 75 to 84 0
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA in 2022

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated during 2022 were high cholesterol, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and osteoperosis.

Hypertension 64
High Cholesterol 64
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 19
Depression 13
Chronic Kidney Disease 16
Asthma 15
Osteoperosis 19
Atrial Fibrilation 14
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 14
Diabetes 15
Dementia 0
Cancer 15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA for Medicare patients.

doctor visit 59

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA.

Gender
Male 33
Female 43
Ethnicity
Non-Hispanic White 55
Black 0
Hispanic 0
Asian 0
Other 0
Native American 0
Age
From 65 to 74 0
From 75 to 84 38
85 and over 0
Less than 65 0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA in 2023

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated during 2023 were high cholesterol, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension 57
High Cholesterol 75
Stroke 0
Ischemic Heart Disease 22
Depression 0
Chronic Kidney Disease 16
Asthma 0
Osteoperosis 0
Atrial Fibrilation 0
Heart Failure 0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 0
Diabetes 14
Dementia 0
Cancer 14

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2023

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated as an otologist and neurotologist in Durham, NC were ear procedures, debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue) and implant surgery.

debridement (removal of unhealthy tissue) 20
doctor visit 139
ear procedures 102
implant surgery 12

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2023

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA.

Gender
Male 73
Female 97
Ethnicity
Black / African American 17
Asian / Pacific Islander 0
Non-Hispanic White 132
Native American / Alaskan Native 0
Hispanic 0
Other 0
Age
75 to 84 50
85 and over 13
Less than 65 12
65 to 74 77

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA From 2013 - 2023

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

Hypertension 62
High Cholesterol 53
Stroke 1
Ischemic Heart Disease 25
Depression 17
Chronic Kidney Disease 18
Asthma 4
Osteoporosis 4
Heart Failure 7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 4
Diabetes 24
Atrial Fibrillation 6
Cancer 9
Dementia 2

Education & Training

Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1990. He completed residency at Johns Hopkins University Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology, Neurotology American Board of Otolaryngology, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and has a state license in Maryland.

Medical School: Harvard Medical School (1990)

Residency: Johns Hopkins University Affiliated Hospitals (1995)

Board Certification: American Board of Otolaryngology, Neurotology American Board of Otolaryngology, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Licensed In: Maryland

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Duke Health
DUKE HEALTH INTEGRATED PRACTICE INC

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA appears to accept the following insurance providers: MedCost, Aetna Traditional Choice, Blue Advantage, Aetna Medicare PPO, BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, CIGNA Open Access Plus, WellCare, AmeriHealth, Medicare Part B, Medicare Advantage, AARP, CIGNA Open Access, United Healthcare PPO, United Healthcare POS, United Healthcare HMO, Aetna, Aetna Workers' Compensation, TRICARE Prime, United Healthcare, TRICARE Prime Remote, Aetna Open Choice PPO, Medicare, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, TRICARE, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Aetna Managed Choice POS, Aetna HMO, Gateway Health Alliance, Duke Group Plans, *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan., Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA), *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan., Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS), Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II, Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO), Duke Basic, Ambetter, Experience Health, Aetna Select HMO, Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan, Blue Select, Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*, Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO, Healthy Blue, Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option, All Savers Fully Insured, First Medicare Direct, Carolina Complete Health, Healthgram, All Savers Alternate Funding, Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP), Aetna/CVS Health, Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice, Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan, Duke Select, Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice, NC State Employees Health Plan, Ambetter of North Carolina and United Medical Resources (UMR).

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA accepts the following insurance providers:

MedCost
Aetna Traditional Choice
Blue Advantage
Aetna Medicare PPO
BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina
CIGNA Open Access Plus
WellCare
AmeriHealth
Medicare Part B
Medicare Advantage
AARP
CIGNA Open Access
United Healthcare PPO
United Healthcare POS
United Healthcare HMO
Aetna
Aetna Workers' Compensation
TRICARE Prime
United Healthcare
TRICARE Prime Remote
Aetna Open Choice PPO
Medicare
Medicaid
Humana
Cigna
TRICARE
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Aetna Managed Choice POS
Aetna HMO
Gateway Health Alliance
Duke Group Plans
*Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
*Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.
Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
Duke Basic
Ambetter
Experience Health
Aetna Select HMO
Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
Blue Select
Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
Healthy Blue
Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
All Savers Fully Insured
First Medicare Direct
Carolina Complete Health
Healthgram
All Savers Alternate Funding
Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
Aetna/CVS Health
Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
Duke Select
Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
NC State Employees Health Plan
Ambetter of North Carolina
United Medical Resources (UMR)

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.91 out of 5 stars based on 192 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA from all over the web to help you find the right in Durham, NC. 

4.91
Overall Rating
Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

Payments by Company
MED-EL Corporation $4,585 MED-EL Maestro Cochlear Implant System
$4,585
Advanced Bionics, LLC $1,787 HiResolution Bionic Ear System
$1,787
Cochlear Americas $1,611 Baha
$1,611
Cochlear Ltd $1,412 Baha
$1,412
Stryker Corporation $149 STRYKER NAV3I
$149
Other $231 Propel
$135 		ACCLARENT AERA Eustachian Tube Balloon Dilation System
$67 		AxoGuard Nerve Protector
$17 		Rapid Rhino - Epistaxis
$12
Types of Payments
Travel and Lodging $3,944
Honoraria $3,000
Food and Beverage $2,805
Gift $26

Research Payments

Dr. Howard Wayne Francis, MD, MBA has received 1 research payments totaling $1,500.

Biography

Dr. Howard Francis sees patients in Durham, NC. His medical specialty is otology and neurotology. His clinical interests encompass skull base surgery, acoustic neuroma, and cholesteatoma. He is affiliated with Duke Health. Before completing his residency at a hospital affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Francis attended medical school at Harvard Medical School. Patient ratings for Dr. Francis average 5.0 stars (out of 5). Blue California, CIGNA Plans, and TRICARE appears to be the insurance carriers that Dr. Francis takes. According to Duke Health, new patients are welcome to contact his office in Durham, NC.

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