Dr. Stephanie King -- Pharmaceutical Payment Report
This page provides a comprehensive transparency report for Dr. Stephanie King, a Cardiology physician based in City, MO. All payment data is sourced from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database. Dr. Stephanie King has received $21,196.45 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. Stephanie King
- Medical Specialty: Cardiology
- Practice Location: City, MO, Missouri
- NPI Number: 1358383109
- Transparency Score: 50/100
- Payment Records Span: 2026-02-18 to 2026-02-18
Payment Summary
Dr. Stephanie King has received a total of $21,196.45 in pharmaceutical industry payments across 1 recorded transactions in the CMS Open Payments database. The average payment amount is $21,196.45 per transaction.
- Total Payments Received: $21,196.45
- Number of Transactions: 1
- Average Payment: $21,196.45
- Transparency Score: 50/100 -- This score reflects the overall payment profile relative to peers in Cardiology. 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. Stephanie King'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 | $21,196.45 | Advisory board participation, clinical consulting, and expert opinion services |
The largest payment category for Dr. Stephanie King is Consulting Fees, accounting for 100% ($21,196.45) 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. Stephanie King. Click on any company name to view their full physician payment profile and spending patterns.
| Company | Total Paid | Transactions |
|---|---|---|
| Pfizer Inc | $21,196.45 | 1 |
Dr. Stephanie King has a financial relationship with Pfizer Inc, receiving $21,196.45 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. Stephanie King. These references indicate that the payment was related to the marketing, consulting, or clinical use of these products.
- Rinvoq -- Referenced in payment records from pharmaceutical companies to Dr. Stephanie King
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. Stephanie King's payment history, specialty peer comparisons, and payment pattern analysis. This analysis is not medical or legal advice.
Dr. Stephanie King, a cardiologist in City, MO, has a pharmaceutical payment profile characterized by a single, substantial payment. With a total of $21,196.45 from pharmaceutical companies, this amount is notably higher than the typical annual payments received by many cardiologists, though it is concentrated in one transaction. The data indicates that Pfizer Inc. is the sole disclosed payer, contributing the entire $21,196.45. This payment is specifically categorized as consulting and is scheduled for February 18, 2026. The singular nature of this payment, especially its significant value and future date, distinguishes it from the more common, smaller, and recurring payments (like meals or occasional consulting fees) that many physicians receive. This pattern suggests a specific engagement rather than a broad, ongoing relationship with multiple pharmaceutical entities. While consulting arrangements are a legitimate part of professional activity, a large, single payment from one company, particularly for a future date, warrants attention. It could represent a specific project, advisory board role, or a significant speaking engagement that has been pre-paid. However, without further details on the nature of the consulting, it's difficult to definitively assess its implications. For patients, understanding these payments is crucial. While pharmaceutical companies fund legitimate research and educational activities, financial relationships can create potential conflicts of interest. Even if unintentional, such payments can subtly influence a doctor's perspective on treatments, potentially leading to a preference for certain medications. Patients should view this information as a starting point for dialogue with their doctor. It does not automatically imply that Dr. King's medical judgment is compromised, but it does highlight a significant financial interaction that patients have a right to be aware of and discuss. Transparency in these relationships is key to maintaining trust between patients and physicians.
Patient Guidance: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If Dr. Stephanie King is your physician, here is practical guidance on how to understand and discuss pharmaceutical industry relationships:
When reviewing your doctor's payment information, it's important to maintain perspective. Pharmaceutical companies engage physicians for various legitimate reasons, including research, education, and expert advice. A single, large payment, like the one to Dr. King from Pfizer, is less common than the frequent, smaller payments (e.g., meals, small consulting fees) that many doctors receive. This doesn't automatically mean your doctor is prescribing inappropriately, but it does highlight a significant financial relationship. At your next appointment, consider asking your doctor about their relationships with pharmaceutical companies. You might ask, 'I saw that you received a payment from [Company Name] for [Type of Payment]. Could you tell me more about that engagement?' This opens a dialogue. Red flags might include a doctor who seems overly enthusiastic about a specific drug class that aligns with their financial relationships, or who dismisses your concerns about medication costs or side effects without thorough consideration. Normal professional activity often involves occasional consulting or speaking engagements related to new research or treatments. A concerning pattern might involve numerous payments from a single company, or a consistent focus on drugs from companies with whom the doctor has significant financial ties. Evaluate your doctor's prescribing patterns by looking at whether they favor newer, more expensive drugs when older, equally effective generics are available, or if they consistently prescribe medications from companies they receive payments from.
Peer Comparison: How Dr. Stephanie King Compares to Other Cardiology Physicians
The average annual payments to cardiologists can vary widely, but typically range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, often spread across multiple companies and payment types like meals, consulting, and speaker fees. Dr. King's total payment of $21,196.45, while from a single source and for a future date, is significantly higher than the average annual outlay for many physicians in this specialty. This concentration in one large payment is unusual compared to the more distributed, smaller payments often seen.
Recent Payment Records
The following table shows the most recent pharmaceutical industry payments recorded for Dr. Stephanie King in the CMS Open Payments database. Click on any payment to view the full report.
| Company | Amount | Type | Drug/Device | Date | Conflict Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pfizer Inc | $21,196.45 | consulting | Rinvoq | 2026-02-18 | Not Assessed |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Stephanie King's Pharma Payments
Below are common questions patients ask about physician pharmaceutical payment data.
Is Dr. Stephanie King taking too much pharma money?
Dr. King has received a single payment of $21,196.45 from Pfizer Inc. for consulting, scheduled for 2026. While this amount is substantial compared to the average annual payments many cardiologists receive, its singularity and future date make it an outlier. It represents a significant engagement with one company, rather than a broad pattern of smaller, recurring payments. Whether this is 'too much' is subjective, but it indicates a notable financial relationship that patients should be aware of and can discuss with their doctor.
What pharma companies pay Dr. Stephanie King?
According to the provided data, only Pfizer Inc. has made payments to Dr. Stephanie King. The total amount from Pfizer Inc. is $21,196.45.
Should I switch doctors because of pharma payments?
A single payment, even a large one, is not typically a reason to switch doctors unless you have lost trust or observed concerning prescribing patterns. Focus on the quality of care, your doctor's communication, and whether they address your health needs effectively. If you are concerned, discuss it openly with your doctor. If the conversation is unsatisfactory or you notice a consistent bias towards certain medications tied to financial relationships, then considering a second opinion or a new physician might be warranted.
What kinds of payments does this doctor receive?
Dr. King has received one payment totaling $21,196.45, which is categorized as consulting. There are no reported payments for speaking, meals, travel, research, or ownership interests.
How do these payments compare to other Cardiology?
The average annual payments to cardiologists typically range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, often distributed across multiple companies and payment types. Dr. King's single payment of $21,196.45 is considerably higher than the average annual total, but its isolated nature is also noteworthy compared to the more common, smaller, and frequent payments seen in the specialty.
Do pharma payments affect prescribing quality?
Research suggests that even small payments can influence physician prescribing habits, potentially leading to increased use of the paying company's drugs. While not all payments indicate bias, and many are for legitimate professional activities, a financial relationship can create a subconscious bias. Patients should consider this potential influence alongside their doctor's overall clinical judgment and evidence-based treatment guidelines.
How can I verify this payment data?
You can verify this payment data directly through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments database. Visit the official CMS Open Payments website, search for Dr. Stephanie King using her NPI (1358383109) or name and location, and review the detailed records of payments and other transfers of value reported by pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers.
Understanding This Doctor Payment Report
This transparency report for Dr. Stephanie King 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. Cardiology 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. Stephanie King'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. Stephanie King and all other physicians can be accessed at the official CMS Open Payments website.
Related Resources
- Cardiology Specialty Payment Data -- See payment patterns for all cardiology physicians
- Missouri Physician Payments -- Browse pharmaceutical payments to physicians in Missouri
- Cardiology Physicians in Missouri -- Compare Dr. Stephanie King to peers in the same state and specialty
- Pfizer Inc Payment Profile -- View all payments made by Dr. Stephanie King'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. Stephanie King's NPI (1358383109) 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.