Dr. Nicole Lopez -- Pharmaceutical Payment Report
This page provides a comprehensive transparency report for Dr. Nicole Lopez, a Gastroenterology physician based in Sacramento, CA. All payment data is sourced from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database. Dr. Nicole Lopez has received $6,027.77 in total pharmaceutical industry payments across 1 transactions from 1 pharmaceutical companies.
Physician Profile
The following profile information is sourced from the National Provider Identifier (NPI) registry and CMS Open Payments records.
- Full Name: Dr. Nicole Lopez
- Medical Specialty: Gastroenterology
- Practice Location: Sacramento, CA, California
- NPI Number: 1186195132
- Transparency Score: 75/100
- Payment Records Span: 2025-01-15 to 2025-01-15
Payment Summary
Dr. Nicole Lopez has received a total of $6,027.77 in pharmaceutical industry payments across 1 recorded transactions in the CMS Open Payments database. The average payment amount is $6,027.77 per transaction.
- Total Payments Received: $6,027.77
- Number of Transactions: 1
- Average Payment: $6,027.77
- Transparency Score: 75/100 -- This score reflects the overall payment profile relative to peers in Gastroenterology. A higher score indicates fewer or more routine payments.
- Number of Pharma Relationships: 1 pharmaceutical companies
- Drugs/Devices Referenced: 1 distinct products
Payment Breakdown by Category
The following table shows how Dr. Nicole Lopez's pharmaceutical payments break down by payment category. Understanding the mix of payment types provides important context about the nature of the doctor-pharma relationship.
| Payment Category | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Consulting Fees | $6,027.77 | Advisory board participation, clinical consulting, and expert opinion services |
The largest payment category for Dr. Nicole Lopez is Consulting Fees, accounting for 100% ($6,027.77) of total pharmaceutical payments received. This suggests active involvement in pharmaceutical company advisory and educational programs.
Pharmaceutical Company Relationships
The following pharmaceutical and medical device companies have made payments to Dr. Nicole Lopez. Click on any company name to view their full physician payment profile and spending patterns.
| Company | Total Paid | Transactions |
|---|---|---|
| AbbVie Inc | $6,027.77 | 1 |
Dr. Nicole Lopez has a financial relationship with AbbVie Inc, receiving $6,027.77 in total. Having a single pharmaceutical company relationship means all payments come from one source, which may indicate a focused consulting or research relationship.
Drugs and Medical Devices Referenced in Payments
The following drugs and medical devices have been referenced in pharmaceutical payments to Dr. Nicole Lopez. These references indicate that the payment was related to the marketing, consulting, or clinical use of these products.
- Biktarvy -- Referenced in payment records from pharmaceutical companies to Dr. Nicole Lopez
The presence of a drug or device in a payment record means the pharmaceutical company associated the payment with that product. This is common for consulting fees related to a specific medication, speaking engagements about a product, or research involving a particular drug or device.
AI Transparency Analysis
The following analysis was generated by artificial intelligence based on Dr. Nicole Lopez's payment history, specialty peer comparisons, and payment pattern analysis. This analysis is not medical or legal advice.
Nicole Lopez has received $6.0K across 1 pharmaceutical payments as a Gastroenterology physician in Sacramento, CA. Top paying companies include AbbVie Inc ($6.0K). Dr. Lopez received a single payment of $6,028 in 2025, indicating a focused engagement. The entire payment was categorized as 'consulting', suggesting a specific advisory role. AbbVie Inc. was the sole company providing payment, accounting for 100% of the total amount.
Patient Guidance: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If Dr. Nicole Lopez is your physician, here is practical guidance on how to understand and discuss pharmaceutical industry relationships:
Consumers should be aware that while payments can facilitate medical advancements, they may also influence prescribing habits. It's advisable to discuss treatment options openly with your doctor. Always feel free to ask your doctor directly about their pharmaceutical relationships.
Peer Comparison: How Dr. Nicole Lopez Compares to Other Gastroenterology Physicians
For Gastroenterologists, payment profiles often show a mix of consulting, speaker fees, and research grants from various pharmaceutical companies.
Recent Payment Records
The following table shows the most recent pharmaceutical industry payments recorded for Dr. Nicole Lopez in the CMS Open Payments database. Click on any payment to view the full report.
| Company | Amount | Type | Drug/Device | Date | Conflict Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AbbVie Inc | $6,027.77 | consulting | Biktarvy | 2025-01-15 | Not Assessed |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Nicole Lopez's Pharma Payments
Below are common questions patients ask about physician pharmaceutical payment data.
How much pharma money has Nicole Lopez received?
Nicole Lopez has received a total of $6.0K across 1 payments from pharmaceutical companies. This data is publicly reported under the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) program.
Is Nicole Lopez taking too much pharma money?
Nicole Lopez has received $6.0K in pharmaceutical payments. Whether this is "too much" depends on the physician's specialty (Gastroenterology), the types of payments, and how they compare to peers. The largest payment category is consulting ($6.0K). Payment does not imply wrongdoing, but patients should be aware and can ask their doctor directly.
What pharma companies pay Nicole Lopez?
The top pharmaceutical companies paying Nicole Lopez are: AbbVie Inc ($6.0K). These payments cover various categories including consulting, meals, speaking fees, and research grants.
What kinds of payments does Nicole Lopez receive?
Nicole Lopez's payments by type: consulting: $6.0K. Consulting fees suggest active advisory roles with pharmaceutical companies.
Should I switch doctors because of pharma payments?
Pharma payments alone are not typically reason to switch doctors. Many payments are routine (like meals at educational events) and do not indicate compromised care. Focus on: (1) whether your doctor explains treatment options clearly, (2) whether generic alternatives are discussed, (3) the overall pattern of payments, not individual transactions. If you have concerns, ask your doctor directly.
How do Nicole Lopez's payments compare to other Gastroenterology doctors?
To compare, look at the total amount ($6.0K), number of payments (1), and the types of payments received. Gastroenterology physicians may receive different payment amounts depending on subspecialty, geographic location, and academic affiliation. Use CMS Open Payments data to compare across the specialty.
How can I verify Nicole Lopez's payment data?
You can verify this data directly through the CMS Open Payments database at openpaymentsdata.cms.gov. Search by physician name or NPI number (1186195132). All data is reported by pharmaceutical companies and verified by CMS. DoctorPharmaData aggregates this public data for easier access.
Do pharma payments affect prescribing quality?
Research published in JAMA Internal Medicine and other peer-reviewed journals shows a statistical association between pharmaceutical payments and prescribing patterns. However, correlation does not equal causation. Many physician-industry interactions are legitimate (research, education, advisory boards). The Sunshine Act was created to promote transparency so patients can make informed decisions.
What stands out about Nicole Lopez's pharma payment profile?
The payment is linked to the drug Biktarvy, suggesting potential involvement in its promotion or research. Nicole Lopez has received $6.0K in total pharma payments.
How does Nicole Lopez compare to peers in Gastroenterology?
For Gastroenterologists, payment profiles often show a mix of consulting, speaker fees, and research grants from various pharmaceutical companies.
Are Nicole Lopez's pharma relationships typical for Gastroenterology?
The high concentration from a single company (100%) warrants attention for potential influence.
What should patients of Nicole Lopez know about these payments?
Consumers should be aware that while payments can facilitate medical advancements, they may also influence prescribing habits. It's advisable to discuss treatment options openly with your doctor.
What patterns are visible in Nicole Lopez's payment history?
The data reflects only one payment, making it difficult to establish a comprehensive payment pattern.
Understanding This Doctor Payment Report
This transparency report for Dr. Nicole Lopez is based on data from the CMS Open Payments database, which is maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. Here are important things to understand:
- Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Many pharmaceutical payments represent legitimate professional activities such as consulting on drug development, speaking at medical education events, and conducting clinical research.
- Context matters. A large payment for conducting a clinical trial has very different implications than a large payment for promotional speaking. The payment breakdown by category above provides this context.
- Peer comparison is important. Whether a payment amount is unusual depends heavily on the physician's specialty, geographic location, and career stage. Gastroenterology physicians may have very different payment norms than physicians in other fields.
- Data may be incomplete. The CMS Open Payments database captures payments from pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. It does not include payments from other sources, such as hospitals, insurance companies, or government agencies.
- Reporting thresholds apply. Small payments below certain thresholds may not be individually reported. The totals reflect payments above reporting minimums set by CMS regulations.
About the Physician Payments Sunshine Act
The Physician Payments Sunshine Act, enacted as Section 6002 of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, requires pharmaceutical and medical device companies to report payments and other transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals to CMS. This law was designed to increase transparency in the financial relationships between the healthcare industry and medical providers.
Under this law, Dr. Nicole Lopez's pharmaceutical payments are publicly disclosed. The types of reportable transactions include consulting fees, compensated speaking or educational activities, honoraria, gifts, entertainment, food and beverages, travel and lodging, education or conference attendance, research grants, charitable contributions, royalties or licenses, current or prospective ownership interests, and direct compensation for services other than consulting.
The Open Payments data for Dr. Nicole Lopez and all other physicians can be accessed at the official CMS Open Payments website.
Related Resources
- Gastroenterology Specialty Payment Data -- See payment patterns for all gastroenterology physicians
- California Physician Payments -- Browse pharmaceutical payments to physicians in California
- Gastroenterology Physicians in California -- Compare Dr. Nicole Lopez to peers in the same state and specialty
- AbbVie Inc Payment Profile -- View all payments made by Dr. Nicole Lopez's largest pharmaceutical partner
- Search for Another Doctor or Company -- Look up any physician or pharmaceutical company in our database
- Official CMS Open Payments Database -- Verify payment data directly with the federal government
- NPI Registry -- Look up Dr. Nicole Lopez's NPI (1186195132) in the official provider registry
Data from CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act). Payment does not imply wrongdoing. AI analysis is not medical or legal advice. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.