Dr. Maria Martinez -- Pharmaceutical Payment Report
This page provides a comprehensive transparency report for Dr. Maria Martinez, a Neurology physician based in City, VA. All payment data is sourced from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database. Dr. Maria Martinez has received $26,834.64 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. Maria Martinez
- Medical Specialty: Neurology
- Practice Location: City, VA, Virginia
- NPI Number: 1709783508
- Transparency Score: 50/100
- Payment Records Span: 2024-07-08 to 2024-07-08
Payment Summary
Dr. Maria Martinez has received a total of $26,834.64 in pharmaceutical industry payments across 1 recorded transactions in the CMS Open Payments database. The average payment amount is $26,834.64 per transaction.
- Total Payments Received: $26,834.64
- Number of Transactions: 1
- Average Payment: $26,834.64
- Transparency Score: 50/100 -- This score reflects the overall payment profile relative to peers in Neurology. 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. Maria Martinez'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 | $26,834.64 | Advisory board participation, clinical consulting, and expert opinion services |
The largest payment category for Dr. Maria Martinez is Consulting Fees, accounting for 100% ($26,834.64) 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. Maria Martinez. Click on any company name to view their full physician payment profile and spending patterns.
| Company | Total Paid | Transactions |
|---|---|---|
| AbbVie Inc | $26,834.64 | 1 |
Dr. Maria Martinez has a financial relationship with AbbVie Inc, receiving $26,834.64 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. Maria Martinez. These references indicate that the payment was related to the marketing, consulting, or clinical use of these products.
- Humira -- Referenced in payment records from pharmaceutical companies to Dr. Maria Martinez
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. Maria Martinez's payment history, specialty peer comparisons, and payment pattern analysis. This analysis is not medical or legal advice.
Dr. Maria Martinez, a neurologist in City, VA, has a pharmaceutical payment profile characterized by a single, substantial payment. With a total of $26,834.64 from pharmaceutical companies, this amount is significantly higher than the average for neurologists, which typically ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars annually. The entirety of this payment originates from AbbVie Inc., a major biopharmaceutical company. This singular relationship suggests a focused engagement with AbbVie, potentially related to a specific product or area of research within neurology. The payment was categorized as consulting, occurring on July 8, 2024, for $26,834.64. This payment pattern, while a single event, is noteworthy due to its size and the fact that it represents the doctor's entire reported pharmaceutical compensation. In the field of neurology, where complex conditions and advanced treatments are common, interactions with pharmaceutical companies are not unusual. These interactions can include consulting on drug development, participating in advisory boards, speaking at medical conferences, or engaging in clinical research. However, a single large consulting fee, especially if it constitutes the entirety of a doctor's reported payments, warrants careful consideration. For patients, understanding these relationships is crucial. While pharmaceutical payments can facilitate medical advancements and physician education, they also raise questions about potential influence on prescribing habits. It is important for patients to recognize that a doctor's primary allegiance should always be to their patient's well-being. This payment, being a consulting fee, could indicate Dr. Martinez provided expertise to AbbVie, possibly related to neurological treatments. Patients should feel empowered to discuss any concerns about their doctor's relationships with pharmaceutical companies and understand how these might relate to their treatment plans. Transparency in these financial ties allows for a more informed patient-doctor dialogue and helps maintain trust in the medical profession.
Patient Guidance: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If Dr. Maria Martinez 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 helpful to approach the information with a balanced perspective. Pharmaceutical companies develop the medications and treatments that are vital for patient care. Payments to physicians can support education, research, and the sharing of expertise, which can ultimately benefit patients. However, it's also important to be aware of potential conflicts of interest. At your next appointment, consider asking your doctor about their relationships with pharmaceutical companies. You might ask, 'Do you receive any payments or compensation from drug companies, and if so, how does that influence your prescribing decisions?' Look for transparency and a willingness to discuss these relationships openly. Red flags might include a doctor who is dismissive of your questions, consistently prescribes a narrow range of medications from a single company without clear clinical justification, or seems overly enthusiastic about a particular drug without discussing alternatives. Normal professional activities include attending educational events sponsored by pharma, participating in clinical trials, or serving on advisory boards for specific research. Concerning relationships might involve frequent, large payments for minimal work, or a pattern of prescribing that heavily favors the products of companies with whom the doctor has significant financial ties. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure your doctor's recommendations are based on your individual health needs and the best available medical evidence, not on financial incentives.
Peer Comparison: How Dr. Maria Martinez Compares to Other Neurology Physicians
The average total pharmaceutical payments for neurologists can vary widely, but typically fall within the range of $500 to $5,000 annually. Dr. Martinez's total payment of $26,834.64, derived from a single consulting engagement, places her significantly above the average neurologist in terms of reported payment volume. This outlier status is primarily due to the substantial amount of this one payment.
Recent Payment Records
The following table shows the most recent pharmaceutical industry payments recorded for Dr. Maria Martinez 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 | $26,834.64 | consulting | Humira | 2024-07-08 | Not Assessed |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Maria Martinez's Pharma Payments
Below are common questions patients ask about physician pharmaceutical payment data.
Is Dr. Maria Martinez taking too much pharma money?
Dr. Martinez received a single payment of $26,834.64 for consulting from AbbVie Inc. While this amount is significantly higher than the average annual payments received by many neurologists, it represents a single transaction. The context of this payment, such as the nature of the consulting work and its duration, is crucial for a complete assessment. Without further information on the typical compensation for such consulting roles in neurology and the specific services rendered, it's difficult to definitively label the amount as 'too much.' However, the concentration of her reported payments from one company and the substantial sum warrant patient awareness.
What pharma companies pay Dr. Maria Martinez?
Based on the provided data, Dr. Maria Martinez receives payments exclusively from AbbVie Inc. The total amount paid by AbbVie Inc. to Dr. Martinez is $26,834.64. This payment was for consulting services rendered on July 8, 2024.
Should I switch doctors because of pharma payments?
Switching doctors solely based on pharmaceutical payments is a significant decision that should be carefully considered. A single payment, even a large one, doesn't automatically mean a doctor's care is compromised. It's more important to assess the overall pattern of payments, the doctor's transparency, and whether their treatment recommendations align with your best interests and evidence-based medicine. If you have concerns about potential conflicts of interest, discuss them openly with your doctor. If you remain uncomfortable or feel your concerns are not adequately addressed, then exploring other healthcare providers might be a reasonable step.
What kinds of payments does this doctor receive?
Dr. Maria Martinez has received one payment totaling $26,834.64. This payment was specifically for consulting services provided to AbbVie Inc. on July 8, 2024. There are no reported payments for speaking engagements, meals, travel, research, or ownership interests in her pharmaceutical payment history.
How do these payments compare to other Neurology?
The average total pharmaceutical payments for neurologists typically range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars annually. Dr. Martinez's total reported payment of $26,834.64, stemming from a single consulting engagement, is substantially higher than the average. This places her profile as an outlier in terms of payment volume compared to her peers in the field of Neurology.
Do pharma payments affect prescribing quality?
Research suggests that financial relationships between physicians and pharmaceutical companies can influence prescribing patterns, often leading to increased use of the paying company's products. While not all payments lead to biased prescribing, studies indicate a correlation. The magnitude and nature of the payment, as well as the type of relationship (e.g., consulting, research), can play a role. Patients should be aware of this potential influence and discuss treatment options openly 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 and teaching hospitals to view their financial relationships with the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. You can access the database by searching for 'CMS Open Payments' online and using the provided search tools to look up Dr. Maria Martinez by her name or NPI number (1709783508).
Understanding This Doctor Payment Report
This transparency report for Dr. Maria Martinez 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. Neurology 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. Maria Martinez'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. Maria Martinez and all other physicians can be accessed at the official CMS Open Payments website.
Related Resources
- Neurology Specialty Payment Data -- See payment patterns for all neurology physicians
- Virginia Physician Payments -- Browse pharmaceutical payments to physicians in Virginia
- Neurology Physicians in Virginia -- Compare Dr. Maria Martinez to peers in the same state and specialty
- AbbVie Inc Payment Profile -- View all payments made by Dr. Maria Martinez'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. Maria Martinez's NPI (1709783508) 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.