Dr. Stephanie King -- Pharmaceutical Payment Report
This page provides a comprehensive transparency report for Dr. Stephanie King, a General Surgery physician based in City, MN. All payment data is sourced from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database. Dr. Stephanie King has received $13,931.24 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: General Surgery
- Practice Location: City, MN, Minnesota
- NPI Number: 1480789141
- Transparency Score: 50/100
- Payment Records Span: 2024-12-12 to 2024-12-12
Payment Summary
Dr. Stephanie King has received a total of $13,931.24 in pharmaceutical industry payments across 1 recorded transactions in the CMS Open Payments database. The average payment amount is $13,931.24 per transaction.
- Total Payments Received: $13,931.24
- Number of Transactions: 1
- Average Payment: $13,931.24
- Transparency Score: 50/100 -- This score reflects the overall payment profile relative to peers in General Surgery. 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 | $13,931.24 | Advisory board participation, clinical consulting, and expert opinion services |
The largest payment category for Dr. Stephanie King is Consulting Fees, accounting for 100% ($13,931.24) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Johnson | $13,931.24 | 1 |
Dr. Stephanie King has a financial relationship with Johnson & Johnson, receiving $13,931.24 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.
- Ozempic -- 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 General Surgeon in City, MN, has a pharmaceutical payment profile characterized by a single, significant payment. With a total of $13,931.24 from pharmaceutical companies, this amount is derived from one transaction. The sole reported relationship is with Johnson & Johnson, which accounts for the entirety of the disclosed payments. This payment, dated December 12, 2024, was for consulting services. Comparing Dr. King's total payment volume to peers in General Surgery reveals a profile that is not typical of widespread industry engagement. While many surgeons may receive multiple, smaller payments for various activities like speaking engagements, meals, or consulting, Dr. King's profile shows a concentrated relationship with a single entity for a specific service. The nature of the payment, consulting, suggests an engagement where Dr. King's expertise was sought by the pharmaceutical company. This could involve providing insights into surgical procedures, product development, or clinical trial design. It is important to contextualize these payments within the broader landscape of medical practice. Pharmaceutical companies often engage with physicians to gain valuable clinical perspectives that can inform their research and development efforts. These collaborations can lead to the creation of improved medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and surgical techniques. However, such relationships also necessitate transparency to ensure that patient care remains the primary focus and is not unduly influenced by financial incentives. For patients, understanding these payments is a step towards informed healthcare. While a single, substantial payment for consulting does not automatically indicate a conflict of interest, it does highlight a professional relationship that warrants awareness. Patients should feel empowered to discuss any concerns about their doctor's relationships with pharmaceutical companies, understanding that these interactions can be both beneficial for medical advancement and potentially influential. The key lies in open communication and the doctor's commitment to prioritizing patient well-being above all else.
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 considering your doctor's relationships with pharmaceutical companies, it's helpful to remember that these interactions are common and can sometimes lead to advancements in medical care. However, transparency is key. At your next appointment, you might consider asking your doctor about their involvement with drug or device manufacturers. For instance, you could inquire, 'Are there any financial relationships you have with companies whose products I might be prescribed or have used in my care?' Red flags to watch for include a doctor who seems overly enthusiastic about a particular drug or device without clear clinical justification, or if they consistently prescribe a brand-name medication when a generic alternative is available and equally effective. While a single, substantial payment for consulting, as seen with Dr. King, isn't inherently concerning, a pattern of numerous payments, especially for meals or speaking, might warrant closer attention. It's important to evaluate your doctor's prescribing patterns independently. If you notice a trend that seems unusual or are prescribed medications that don't align with your expectations or medical needs, discuss it openly with your doctor. If you remain uncomfortable, seeking a second opinion or researching other providers is always an option.
Peer Comparison: How Dr. Stephanie King Compares to Other General Surgery Physicians
The average General Surgeon may receive payments from multiple pharmaceutical companies for various services, often totaling several thousand dollars annually across numerous small transactions. Dr. King's profile, with a single payment of $13,931.24 from Johnson & Johnson for consulting, stands out due to its singular nature rather than its total amount. While the amount itself is not exceptionally high compared to some high-earning physicians, the concentration from one company and one payment type is noteworthy.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Johnson | $13,931.24 | consulting | Ozempic | 2024-12-12 | 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 received a single payment of $13,931.24 from Johnson & Johnson for consulting in 2024. Compared to the average General Surgeon who might receive multiple smaller payments, this profile is less indicative of broad industry engagement. While the amount is significant for a single transaction, it's not exceptionally high in the context of potential consulting fees for specialized expertise. The key factor is the single source and type of payment, suggesting a specific professional engagement rather than widespread financial ties.
What pharma companies pay Dr. Stephanie King?
Dr. Stephanie King received payments exclusively from Johnson & Johnson, totaling $13,931.24. This represents her entire reported pharmaceutical payment history.
Should I switch doctors because of pharma payments?
Switching doctors solely based on pharmaceutical payments is usually not necessary. Most doctors have some form of relationship with the industry. The concern arises with patterns of payments that might suggest bias, such as frequent meals, speaking fees, or a strong preference for expensive brand-name drugs without clear medical reasons. Dr. King's single consulting payment is less of a red flag than a complex web of smaller, recurring payments. Focus on open communication with your doctor about their relationships and your treatment plan.
What kinds of payments does this doctor receive?
Dr. Stephanie King received one payment totaling $13,931.24, which was categorized as 'consulting.' There are no reported payments for speaking, meals, travel, research, or ownership interests.
How do these payments compare to other General Surgery?
The average General Surgeon may receive payments from multiple companies for various activities. Dr. King's profile, with a single $13,931.24 consulting payment from Johnson & Johnson, is less typical than a doctor with numerous small payments. While the amount is notable for one transaction, the lack of diverse or frequent payments differentiates her profile from many peers who engage more broadly with the industry.
Do pharma payments affect prescribing quality?
Research suggests that even small payments can subtly influence physician behavior and prescribing patterns. However, the extent of this influence varies greatly. While some studies show a correlation between payments and increased prescribing of the paying company's products, it doesn't automatically mean a doctor's quality of care is compromised. Many physicians maintain professional integrity. Transparency allows patients to be informed and engage in discussions with their doctors about treatment options.
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. This publicly accessible website allows you to search for physicians and teaching hospitals to view their reported financial relationships with the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. You can find it by searching 'CMS Open Payments' online.
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. General Surgery 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
- General Surgery Specialty Payment Data -- See payment patterns for all general surgery physicians
- Minnesota Physician Payments -- Browse pharmaceutical payments to physicians in Minnesota
- General Surgery Physicians in Minnesota -- Compare Dr. Stephanie King to peers in the same state and specialty
- Johnson & Johnson 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 (1480789141) 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.