Richard Michael Thunder, M.D.
Orthopaedic Surgery of the Spine
Richard Michael Thunder is an Orthopaedic Surgery of the Spine specialist based in La Jolla, CA with over 27 years of clinical experience. Medicare-enrolled per CMS records and offers virtual telehealth visits.
Richard Michael Thunder, M.D. has practiced orthopaedic surgery for 27+ years, working in group practice. Trained at Stanford University School of Medicine (class of 1999), he has been practicing for over 27 years. CMS Medicare data shows his patients commonly have high cholesterol, arthritis, and hypertension.
Older · 4063dNPPES updated 2015-04-09 · verify NPI on CMS · Verify license at Medical Board of California
Contact & Location
Practice Location
9850 Genesee Avenue Suite 210, La Jolla, CA 92037
How Does This Doctor Compare?
Opioid Rx
↓ Lower = better28.86%
California avg: 5.2 · US avg: 5.1
⚠ Lower than most doctors nationally(+23.8 pts)
28.86% of this doctor's prescriptions are opioid pain medications. Lower means more cautious prescribing.
Medicare Patients
652
Unique beneficiaries
High volumePrescription Recipients
256
Patients prescribed
Prescriptions Written
544
Total claims
Total Medicare drug cost: $19k
Percentile rankings compared against 9,360 reporting peers in California.
Data Note: Sourced from CMS Medicare Provider Utilization & Payment Data. Percentile rankings compare this provider against all peers with reported data in the same state. Updated annually to reflect the latest federal reporting cycle.
What This Doctor Treats Most
Based on Medicare claims data — here's what patients commonly see this doctor for
Based on Medicare data, this doctor primarily manages High Cholesterol, Arthritis, and Hypertension.
Elevated cholesterol or triglycerides that increase heart disease risk
US avg: 70.4%↑ More patients than average (+5%) — a focus area for this doctor
Joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, and stiffness
US avg: 49.3%↑ More patients than average (+26%) — a focus area for this doctor
High blood pressure — a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke
US avg: 70.2%↓ Fewer patients than average (-2%) — less common here
Reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, commonly known as coronary artery disease
US avg: 31.7%↓ Fewer patients than average (-3%) — less common here
Weakened bones that are more prone to fractures, common in older adults
US avg: 18.1%↑ More patients than average (+7%) — a focus area for this doctor
Conditions affecting emotional state, including depression and bipolar disorder
Excessive worry or fear that interferes with daily life
US avg: 34.1%↓ Fewer patients than average (-11%) — less common here
An irregular, often rapid heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke
US avg: 22%Percentage of this provider's Medicare patients diagnosed with each condition. Source: CMS Utilization Data.
$206 received from industry
3 transactions reported in 2024 ·Low tier
Payments include consulting fees, speaking honoraria, food & beverage, travel, research support, and ownership interests from drug and medical device manufacturers. Disclosure is required by the federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act. These payments do not necessarily indicate conflicts of interest. National median: $338 across 136 000 tracked providers.
Tiers — Low: under $500 · Moderate: $500-5 000 · High: $5 000-25 000 · Very High: $25 000+. Source: CMS Open Payments 2024, attributed to Richard Michael Thunder's NPI.
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Background & Specialty
Education, training, and specialty classification from CMS NPPES and Medicare records.
Graduated medical school · 1999
Stanford University School of Medicine
27 years in practice
Experienced
Recognized by several state medical boards as a fellowship subspecialty program of orthopaedic surgery, orthopaedic surgeons of the spine deal with the evaluation and nonoperative and operative treatment of the full spectrum of primary spinal disorders including trauma, degenerative, deformity, tumor, and reconstructive.
Taxonomy: 207XS0117X
Education & Training
Stanford University School of Medicine (Class of 1999)
Primary hospital affiliation: Psychiatric
CMS Certification Number: 194088
View hospital on Medicare Care CompareVirtual Orthopaedic Surgery of the Spine Care With Richard Michael Thunder
NPPES records indicate this provider offers telehealth services. Contact the office to confirm availability and scheduling.
Schedule a virtual visit with Richard Michael Thunder for cholesterol management, arthritis follow-ups, blood pressure monitoring — no travel to La Jolla required. The office sends a secure video link before your appointment. Most visits take 15–30 minutes. Medicare enrolled per CMS records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Richard Michael Thunder
NPI records show Dr. Thunder as active with telehealth listed in La Jolla, CA. NPI status alone doesn't confirm open availability — call the office to confirm. Phone: (858) 535-1075.
Sourced from CMS NPPES · OIG LEIE · CMS Medicare Part D · CMS Open Payments 2024 · CMS Physician Comparator. See Data Methodology.
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Contact Richard Michael Thunder
Practice Location
9850 Genesee Avenue Suite 210, La Jolla, CA 92037
Mailing Address
9850 Genesee Avenue Suite 210, La Jolla, CA 92037
This is a provider directory. Contact the office directly to schedule appointments.
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