Dr. Thomas Miller -- Pharmaceutical Payment Report
This page provides a comprehensive transparency report for Dr. Thomas Miller, a Internal Medicine physician based in Philadelphia, PA. All payment data is sourced from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database. Dr. Thomas Miller has received $4,718.49 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. Thomas Miller
- Medical Specialty: Internal Medicine
- Practice Location: Philadelphia, PA, Pennsylvania
- NPI Number: 1541463641
- Transparency Score: 50/100
- Payment Records Span: 2024-12-16 to 2024-12-16
Payment Summary
Dr. Thomas Miller has received a total of $4,718.49 in pharmaceutical industry payments across 1 recorded transactions in the CMS Open Payments database. The average payment amount is $4,718.49 per transaction.
- Total Payments Received: $4,718.49
- Number of Transactions: 1
- Average Payment: $4,718.49
- Transparency Score: 50/100 -- This score reflects the overall payment profile relative to peers in Internal Medicine. A higher score indicates fewer or more routine payments.
- Number of Pharma Relationships: 1 pharmaceutical companies
Payment Breakdown by Category
The following table shows how Dr. Thomas Miller'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel & Lodging | $4,718.49 | Transportation and hotel expenses for conferences and meetings |
The largest payment category for Dr. Thomas Miller is Travel & Lodging, accounting for 100% ($4,718.49) of total pharmaceutical payments received. This represents the primary type of financial relationship between Dr. Thomas Miller and pharmaceutical companies.
Pharmaceutical Company Relationships
The following pharmaceutical and medical device companies have made payments to Dr. Thomas Miller. Click on any company name to view their full physician payment profile and spending patterns.
| Company | Total Paid | Transactions |
|---|---|---|
| Pfizer Inc | $4,718.49 | 1 |
Dr. Thomas Miller has a financial relationship with Pfizer Inc, receiving $4,718.49 in total. Having a single pharmaceutical company relationship means all payments come from one source, which may indicate a focused consulting or research relationship.
AI Transparency Analysis
The following analysis was generated by artificial intelligence based on Dr. Thomas Miller's payment history, specialty peer comparisons, and payment pattern analysis. This analysis is not medical or legal advice.
Dr. Thomas Miller, an Internal Medicine specialist in Philadelphia, PA, has a pharmaceutical payment profile characterized by a single, notable transaction. With a total of $4,718.49 in reported payments from the pharmaceutical industry, this amount stems from one interaction, indicating a highly concentrated relationship. The sole payer identified is Pfizer Inc., which accounts for the entire reported sum. This singular payment, designated for travel and dated December 16, 2024, suggests a specific engagement rather than a broad pattern of financial ties. Comparing Dr. Miller's total payment volume to the average for Internal Medicine physicians reveals a significant divergence. While many physicians in this specialty engage in various forms of collaboration with pharmaceutical companies, leading to potentially higher cumulative payments over time, Dr. Miller's profile is dominated by this single travel expense. This suggests that, based on the available data, Dr. Miller does not appear to have extensive or routine financial relationships with pharmaceutical companies. The nature of the payment – travel – is a common form of compensation or support provided by drug manufacturers for educational events, advisory boards, or scientific conferences. However, the substantial amount for a single travel event warrants consideration. It is crucial for patients to understand that pharmaceutical payments, in themselves, do not automatically equate to compromised patient care. These relationships can facilitate the dissemination of medical knowledge, support research, and provide physicians with opportunities to stay abreast of the latest advancements. However, transparency is key. Patients should be aware of these financial connections and consider them as one piece of information when evaluating their physician's practice. The focus should remain on the quality of care, adherence to evidence-based medicine, and open communication between patient and doctor. Dr. Miller's profile, with its singular payment, presents a unique case that differs from physicians with multiple, diverse, and ongoing financial arrangements.
Patient Guidance: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If Dr. Thomas Miller is your physician, here is practical guidance on how to understand and discuss pharmaceutical industry relationships:
When considering your doctor's relationship with pharmaceutical companies, it's important to maintain a balanced perspective. Pharmaceutical payments can support medical education and research, which can ultimately benefit patient care. However, transparency is vital. At your next appointment, you might consider asking your doctor about their professional development and how they stay updated on new treatments. Inquire if they have any financial relationships with drug companies, and if so, how they ensure these relationships do not influence their treatment recommendations. Red flags to watch for include a doctor who seems overly enthusiastic about a particular drug without clear clinical justification, or who consistently prescribes newer, more expensive medications when older, equally effective generics are available. While occasional payments for legitimate professional activities like attending conferences or participating in advisory boards are common and not necessarily concerning, a pattern of frequent, high-value payments, or payments for activities that seem less directly related to patient care, might warrant closer attention. Ultimately, evaluate your doctor's prescribing patterns based on evidence-based guidelines and your own understanding of your condition. If you have concerns, discuss them openly with your doctor. If you remain unsatisfied, seeking a second opinion or considering a physician with a different practice style might be appropriate. Remember, the most important factor is a trusting and open relationship focused on your health and well-being.
Peer Comparison: How Dr. Thomas Miller Compares to Other Internal Medicine Physicians
The average Internal Medicine physician may receive a range of payments from pharmaceutical companies, often accumulating over time through various activities like speaking engagements, consulting, and research. While specific averages vary, a single payment of $4,718.49 for travel, as seen with Dr. Miller, is less common than a more diversified payment portfolio. This doctor's profile appears to be an outlier due to its singular nature and concentration with one company, rather than reflecting a typical pattern of ongoing industry engagement.
Recent Payment Records
The following table shows the most recent pharmaceutical industry payments recorded for Dr. Thomas Miller 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 | $4,718.49 | travel | N/A | 2024-12-16 | Not Assessed |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Thomas Miller's Pharma Payments
Below are common questions patients ask about physician pharmaceutical payment data.
Is Dr. Thomas Miller taking too much pharma money?
Based on the available data, Dr. Thomas Miller received a single payment of $4,718.49 from Pfizer Inc. for travel in 2024. This is a relatively small total amount, especially when compared to the potential for cumulative payments many physicians receive over time through various engagements. While the amount for a single travel event is notable, the absence of other reported payments suggests this is not a pattern of extensive financial involvement with the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, it does not appear that Dr. Miller is receiving an excessive amount of pharmaceutical money based on this singular transaction.
What pharma companies pay Dr. Thomas Miller?
Dr. Thomas Miller received payments exclusively from Pfizer Inc. The total amount reported from this company is $4,718.49. This payment was specifically for travel and occurred on December 16, 2024.
Should I switch doctors because of pharma payments?
Switching doctors solely based on pharmaceutical payments is a significant decision. Occasional, transparent payments for legitimate professional activities like attending educational conferences or participating in advisory boards are common and not necessarily a cause for alarm. However, if you observe a pattern of your doctor consistently prescribing expensive medications without clear justification, or if they seem unduly influenced by pharmaceutical marketing, it might be a reason for concern. Open communication with your doctor about their relationships and prescribing habits is the first step. If you are not comfortable with their explanations or their practice patterns, seeking a second opinion or a new physician is a valid option.
What kinds of payments does this doctor receive?
Dr. Thomas Miller received one type of payment: travel. The total amount for this travel payment was $4,718.49, and it was provided by Pfizer Inc. There are no reported payments for consulting, speaking, meals, research, or ownership interests.
How do these payments compare to other Internal Medicine?
The payment profile for Dr. Thomas Miller, with a single travel payment of $4,718.49, is less typical than the average for Internal Medicine physicians. Many physicians in this specialty engage in multiple forms of collaboration with pharmaceutical companies, leading to a more diverse and potentially higher cumulative payment volume over time. Dr. Miller's profile stands out due to its singular nature and concentration with one company, rather than reflecting a broad pattern of industry engagement.
Do pharma payments affect prescribing quality?
Research on the impact of pharmaceutical payments on prescribing quality presents a complex picture. Numerous studies suggest a correlation between receiving payments from drug companies and prescribing patterns that favor the paying company's products, often leading to increased prescription rates for those drugs, sometimes at higher costs. However, the extent to which these payments directly cause a decline in prescribing quality versus reflecting pre-existing relationships or preferences is debated. It's important to note that not all payments are problematic; some support valuable medical education and research. Patients should focus on evidence-based medicine and open communication with their doctors.
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 by name or National Provider Identifier (NPI). You can view detailed records of payments made by pharmaceutical and medical device companies to healthcare providers, including the paying company, the amount, the date, and the nature of the payment. The NPI for Dr. Thomas Miller is 1541463641, which you can use to find his specific records on the Open Payments website.
Understanding This Doctor Payment Report
This transparency report for Dr. Thomas Miller 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. Internal Medicine 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. Thomas Miller'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. Thomas Miller and all other physicians can be accessed at the official CMS Open Payments website.
Related Resources
- Internal Medicine Specialty Payment Data -- See payment patterns for all internal medicine physicians
- Pennsylvania Physician Payments -- Browse pharmaceutical payments to physicians in Pennsylvania
- Internal Medicine Physicians in Pennsylvania -- Compare Dr. Thomas Miller to peers in the same state and specialty
- Pfizer Inc Payment Profile -- View all payments made by Dr. Thomas Miller'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. Thomas Miller's NPI (1541463641) 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.