Headshot of Richard Thomson, MD

Richard Thomson, MD

UT Health San Antonio
Schedule an appointment: 210-450-9220
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Specialty
Plastic Surgery
Education
University of Liverpool Medical School, 2008
Residency
West-Midlands Deanery & Welsh Centre For Burns & Plastic Surgery, 2012
Welsh Centre For Burns & Plastic Surgery, 2022
Fellowships
Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit-Glasgow Royal Cons., 2013
Southmead Hospital, Bristiol Cons, 2015
Bc Children's Hospital, 2021
Great Ormond Street Hospital, 2022
Evelina London Cleft Service, 2023
Languages
English
Gender
Male

University Hospital

4502 Medical Drive
San Antonio,TX 78229

Robert B. Green Campus

903 W. Martin Street
San Antonio,TX 78207
Insurance Accepted
6 Degrees - Transplant
90 Degree Benefits - Third Party Administrator
Administrative Concepts - Third Party Administrator
Aetna (Coventry) - Work Comp/Auto
Aetna Better Health - CHIP/CHIP Perinate Newborn
Aetna Better Health - Medicaid STAR
Aetna Health - Commercial (Choice POS II, Elect Choice EPO, Exchange (Silver/Gold HMO))
Aetna Health - Commercial (HMO, Managed Choice POS, Meritain, Open Choice PPO)
Aetna Health - Commercial (QPOS, SAISD, Select)
Aetna Health - Medicaid Dual Preferred (HMO D-SNP)
Aetna Health - Medicare Advantage (Eagle PPO, Freedom PPO, Premier HMO, Prime HMO, Value Plus PPO)
Aetna Health - Transplant ONLY
Allegiance - Universal Benefits Consortium
Allied Benefit Systems - Third Party Administrator
Allwell (Superior HealthPlan) - Medicare Advantage
Ancira Enterprises - Direct Employer
Benefit Administrative Systems - Third Party Administrator
BlueCross BlueShield (Federal Programs) - Commercial (Federal - All Products)
BlueCross BlueShield (Out-of-State) - Commercial (Out of State - Blue Card Program Only)
BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Commercial (Blue Premier HMO, Blue Choice PPO)
BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Commercial (CHIP, Blue Advantagage HMO, Blue Essentials HMO)
BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Commercial (ERS, TRS, State of TX Employees)
BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - HPN/EPO (Narrow Network)
BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS)
BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO)
BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans
BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Traditional/Par Network
BlueCross BlueShield of Texas - Transplant Network
Care Improvement Plus - Medicare Advantage (Special Needs Plan)
Century Healthcare - Third Party Administrator
CHAMPVA - Governmental
Cigna - Employer Specific Network (United Benefits Consortium)
Cigna - Employer Specific Network (USAA Employees & Dependents Only)
Cigna Health Spring - Medicare Advantage (WellMed)
Community First Health Plans - CHIP/CHIP Perinate Newborn
Community First Health Plans - Commercial (HMO, Exchange)
Community First Health Plans - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS)
Community First Health Plans - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
Community First Health Plans - University Family Care Plan
Curative - Commercial (All Products)
Driscoll Health Plan - Medicaid (All products)
EBSO Benefits - Third Party Administrator
El Paso Health - CHIP
El Paso Health - Medicaid STAR
Employers Health Network - Commerical (PPO)
Entrust - Third Party Administrator
First Health - Commercial (All Products)
FirstCare (Part of Baylor Scott & White) - Medicaid-STAR
Galaxy Health Network - Commercial (All products)
Gilsbar - Third Party Administrator
Group and Pension Administrators - Third Party Administrator
HealthSmart (Accel) - Commercial (All products)
HMA LLC - Third Party Administrator
Humana - Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO, WellMed)
Humana - Transplant Network
Humana Military - TRICARE East Region
Imagine 360 - Third Party Administrator
Imperial Health - Commercial (Exchange)
Imperial Health Plan - Medicare Advantage
Independent Medical Systems - Commercial (PPO)
Independent Medical Systems - Workers Compensation
Injury Management Organization - Workers Compensation
Interlink - Transplant Network
International Benefits Administrators - Third Party Administrator
Kempton Group Administrators - Third Party Administrator
Key Benefits Administrators - Third Party Administrator
LifeTrac - Transplant Network
Lucent Health - Third Party Administrator
Medicaid (Traditional) - Medicaid/Medicare
Molina Healthcare - CHIP/CHIP Perinate
Molina Healthcare - Commercial (Exchange)
Molina Healthcare - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS)
Molina Healthcare - Medicare Advantage
Molina Healthcare - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans
MultiPlan - Commercial (All products)
OptumHealth - Transplant Network
Oscar - Commercial Exchange
Point Comfort Underwriters - Refugee Medical Assistance (Adults, Children)
Prime Health Services - Commercial (PPO)
Prime Health Services - Medicare Advantage (All Products)
Prime Health Services - Workers Compensation
Private Healthcare Systems - Commercial (All Products)
ProCare Advantage - Medicare Advantage (Special Needs Plan)
Provider Network of America - Commercial (All Products)
Provider Partners Health Plan - Medicare Advantage (Special Needs Plan)
SANA Benefits - Commercial (All Products)
Scott & White Health Plan - Commercial (Exchange, HMO, PPO)
Scott & White Health Plan - Medicaid/Medicare Advantage (All Products)
Superior HealthPlan - CHIP/CHIP Perinate
Superior HealthPlan - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Health Foster Care, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS)
Superior HealthPlan - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans
Surest (United Healthcare) - Commercial (All Products)
Texas Independence Health Plan - Medicare Advantage (Special Needs Plan)
Three Rivers Provider Network (Contigo) - Commercial (PPO)
Tokio Marine - Transplant Network
TriWest - TRICARE West Region
TriWest - VA Community Care Network
Trustmark Benefits (f/k/a CoreSource) - Third Party Administrator
UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Charter EPO/HMO/POS)
UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Choice Plus POS/PPO/Choice Plus-HAS)
UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Compass EPO/HMO/POS)
UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Core and Core Choice Plus EPO/HMO)
UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Doctors Plan EPO/HMO/POS)
UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Heritage EPO/HMO/POS)
UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Indemnity)
UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Navigate EPO/HMO/POS)
UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Nexus ACO/EPO/HMO/POS)
UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (PPO)
UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Select EPO/HMO/POS)
UnitedHealthcare - Commercial (Select Plus EPO/HMO/POS)
UnitedHealthcare - Medicare Advantage (AARP Plans, Complete Care Plans, Erickson Advantage Plans)
UnitedHealthcare - Medicare Advantage (UnitedHealthcare Group Plans, WellMed)
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan - CHIP/CHIP Perinate
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS)
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans
Universal Benefits Consortium (Allegiance) - Direct Contract with TPA/Broker for select ISDs
University of Incarnate Word - Direct Contact with Employer
Velocity National Provider Network - Commercial (Multiple Payers)
Velocity National Provider Network - Commercial (PPO)
Veterans Administration - Governmental
WebTPA - Third Party Administrator
WellCare - Medicare Advantage
WellMed (Gonzaba Medical Group IPA) - Medicare Advantage (Transplant Only)
WellMed - Medicare Advantage (Cigna HealthSpring, Humana, United Healthcare, WellPoint)
WellPoint (Gonzaba) - Medicare Advantage (TRANSPLANTS ONLY)
WellPoint - CHIP/CHIP Perinate
WellPoint - Commercial (Exchange)
WellPoint - Medicaid (STAR, STAR Kids, STAR PLUS)
WellPoint - Medicare Advantage (All Products)
WellPoint - Medicare Advantage (Transplant Only)
WellPoint - Medicare Advantage (WellMed)
WellPoint - Medicare-Medicaid Dual Eligible Plans
Zelis - Third Party Administrator
Please contact your health insurance company to confirm provider participation. For billing and insurance questions, please call our Billing Department at 210-358-3260.
"As a pediatric plastic surgeon, I am committed to delivering holistic and comprehensive reconstructive care for children as part of a multidisciplinary team."
I am an assistant professor for the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at UT Health San Antonio and a pediatric plastic surgeon at University Hospital.
Growing up in a medical family, with my father as a family physician, I saw firsthand how fulfilling and impactful a career in medicine could be. This environment instilled in me a strong work ethic, a deep sense of curiosity, and a natural inclination for problem-solving. Pediatric plastic surgery in particular captivated me because it requires both an inquisitive approach and creative mindset while emphasizing clear, compassionate communication. The ability to make a tangible, lasting difference in a child's life through reconstructive surgery is what truly solidified my passion for this field.
Philosophy of Care
I believe in a patient-centered approach that prioritizes individualized care alongside open and transparent communication with both patients and their families. Pediatric plastic surgery has lifelong implications, making collaboration within a multidisciplinary team essential to achieving the best outcomes.
A key part of my practice is the continuous assessment and refinement of surgical techniques to improve patient outcomes while minimizing the physical and psychological impact of surgery. My goal is always to provide safe, effective, and innovative care tailored to each child’s unique needs.
Education
Residency
  • Plastic Surgery Residency - The Welsh Centre For Burns & Plastic Surgery, United Kingdom, 2015 - 2020
Fellowships
  • Pediatric Plastic Surgery - BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada, 2021
  • Craniofacial Surgery - Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom, 2022
  • Cleft Lip & Palate Surgery - The Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom, 2023
Prior to joining UT Heath San Antonio, I was an attending consultant at The Royal Bristol Hospital for Children and The Welsh Centre for Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery.
My Favorite Part of Medicine
Pediatric plastic surgery is one of the most rewarding fields in medicine. The privilege of caring for patients from infancy through adulthood allows me to build long-term relationships and witness the transformative impact of reconstructive surgery. Restoring both function and appearance in children with congenital or acquired differences improves their quality of life and helps them navigate the world with greater confidence.
Additionally, I thrive in the collaborative nature of plastic surgery. Working alongside expert providers from multiple disciplines allows us to solve complex problems and achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients. The blend of technical precision, artistry and teamwork makes this specialty incredibly fulfilling.
Areas of Clinical Expertise
I have extensive training in cleft, craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery, having completed three advanced international sub-specialty fellowships. I am passionate about advancing surgical techniques in these areas to optimize outcomes for my patients.
Hobbies
Outside of work I enjoy endurance sports such as open-water swimming and road cycling, which have been an integral part of my triathlon training over the years.
Awards
  • Most Innovative Quality Improvement Idea – Morriston Hospital, 2019.
  • Douglas Murray Prize – Winning presentation, West Midlands National Plastic Surgery Meeting. Thermal Imaging in Assessment of Burn Depth. Revisited with New High Resolution Technology, 2011.
Service
  • CLEFT (Bridging the Gap) – Charity fundraising committee. 2021-2024.
  • Northern Cleft Foundation – Cleft outreach program – Nagpur, India. 2017.
Publications
‪Richard M Thomson - ‪Google Scholar
Call 210-450-9220 to request an appointment with this doctor.

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