Dr. Benjamin Cook -- Pharmaceutical Payment Report
This page provides a comprehensive transparency report for Dr. Benjamin Cook, a HIV Medicine physician based in City, TN. All payment data is sourced from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database. Dr. Benjamin Cook has received $2,472.27 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. Benjamin Cook
- Medical Specialty: HIV Medicine
- Practice Location: City, TN, Tennessee
- NPI Number: 1645163756
- Transparency Score: 50/100
- Payment Records Span: 2024-04-29 to 2024-04-29
Payment Summary
Dr. Benjamin Cook has received a total of $2,472.27 in pharmaceutical industry payments across 1 recorded transactions in the CMS Open Payments database. The average payment amount is $2,472.27 per transaction.
- Total Payments Received: $2,472.27
- Number of Transactions: 1
- Average Payment: $2,472.27
- Transparency Score: 50/100 -- This score reflects the overall payment profile relative to peers in HIV 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. Benjamin Cook'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 | $2,472.27 | Transportation and hotel expenses for conferences and meetings |
The largest payment category for Dr. Benjamin Cook is Travel & Lodging, accounting for 100% ($2,472.27) of total pharmaceutical payments received. This represents the primary type of financial relationship between Dr. Benjamin Cook and pharmaceutical companies.
Pharmaceutical Company Relationships
The following pharmaceutical and medical device companies have made payments to Dr. Benjamin Cook. Click on any company name to view their full physician payment profile and spending patterns.
| Company | Total Paid | Transactions |
|---|---|---|
| Gilead Sciences | $2,472.27 | 1 |
Dr. Benjamin Cook has a financial relationship with Gilead Sciences, receiving $2,472.27 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. Benjamin Cook's payment history, specialty peer comparisons, and payment pattern analysis. This analysis is not medical or legal advice.
Benjamin Cook has received $2.5K across 1 pharmaceutical payments as a HIV Medicine physician in City, TN. Top paying companies include Gilead Sciences ($2.5K). The physician received a single payment totaling $2,472 in 2024. This payment was exclusively for travel expenses. The entire amount originated from a single pharmaceutical company, Gilead Sciences, indicating high company concentration.
Patient Guidance: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If Dr. Benjamin Cook is your physician, here is practical guidance on how to understand and discuss pharmaceutical industry relationships:
Patients may wish to inquire about any potential influence of pharmaceutical company payments on treatment recommendations, especially given the concentrated nature of this physician's reported payments. Always feel free to ask your doctor directly about their pharmaceutical relationships.
Peer Comparison: How Dr. Benjamin Cook Compares to Other HIV Medicine Physicians
For HIV Medicine specialists, payment profiles vary, but this physician's single, high-value travel payment from one company is notable.
Recent Payment Records
The following table shows the most recent pharmaceutical industry payments recorded for Dr. Benjamin Cook in the CMS Open Payments database. Click on any payment to view the full report.
| Company | Amount | Type | Drug/Device | Date | Conflict Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilead Sciences | $2,472.27 | travel | N/A | 2024-04-29 | Not Assessed |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Benjamin Cook's Pharma Payments
Below are common questions patients ask about physician pharmaceutical payment data.
How much pharma money has Benjamin Cook received?
Benjamin Cook has received a total of $2.5K across 1 payments from pharmaceutical companies. This data is publicly reported under the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) program.
Is Benjamin Cook taking too much pharma money?
Benjamin Cook has received $2.5K in pharmaceutical payments. Whether this is "too much" depends on the physician's specialty (HIV Medicine), the types of payments, and how they compare to peers. The largest payment category is travel ($2.5K). Payment does not imply wrongdoing, but patients should be aware and can ask their doctor directly.
What pharma companies pay Benjamin Cook?
The top pharmaceutical companies paying Benjamin Cook are: Gilead Sciences ($2.5K). These payments cover various categories including consulting, meals, speaking fees, and research grants.
What kinds of payments does Benjamin Cook receive?
Benjamin Cook's payments by type: travel: $2.5K.
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 Benjamin Cook's payments compare to other HIV Medicine doctors?
To compare, look at the total amount ($2.5K), number of payments (1), and the types of payments received. HIV Medicine 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 Benjamin Cook'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 (1645163756). 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 Benjamin Cook's pharma payment profile?
The physician's payment profile is very limited, with only one recorded transaction. Benjamin Cook has received $2.5K in total pharma payments.
How does Benjamin Cook compare to peers in HIV Medicine?
For HIV Medicine specialists, payment profiles vary, but this physician's single, high-value travel payment from one company is notable.
Are Benjamin Cook's pharma relationships typical for HIV Medicine?
The sole payment was for travel, suggesting a specific type of engagement.
What should patients of Benjamin Cook know about these payments?
Patients may wish to inquire about any potential influence of pharmaceutical company payments on treatment recommendations, especially given the concentrated nature of this physician's reported payments.
What patterns are visible in Benjamin Cook's payment history?
100% of the total amount came from Gilead Sciences, highlighting a strong relationship with this one company.
Understanding This Doctor Payment Report
This transparency report for Dr. Benjamin Cook 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. HIV 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. Benjamin Cook'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. Benjamin Cook and all other physicians can be accessed at the official CMS Open Payments website.
Related Resources
- HIV Medicine Specialty Payment Data -- See payment patterns for all hiv medicine physicians
- Tennessee Physician Payments -- Browse pharmaceutical payments to physicians in Tennessee
- HIV Medicine Physicians in Tennessee -- Compare Dr. Benjamin Cook to peers in the same state and specialty
- Gilead Sciences Payment Profile -- View all payments made by Dr. Benjamin Cook'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. Benjamin Cook's NPI (1645163756) 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.