Dr. Karen Harris -- Pharmaceutical Payment Report
This page provides a comprehensive transparency report for Dr. Karen Harris, a Internal Medicine physician based in City, WA. All payment data is sourced from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database. Dr. Karen Harris has received $2,031.95 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. Karen Harris
- Medical Specialty: Internal Medicine
- Practice Location: City, WA, Washington
- NPI Number: 1718875557
- Transparency Score: 50/100
- Payment Records Span: 2024-09-27 to 2024-09-27
Payment Summary
Dr. Karen Harris has received a total of $2,031.95 in pharmaceutical industry payments across 1 recorded transactions in the CMS Open Payments database. The average payment amount is $2,031.95 per transaction.
- Total Payments Received: $2,031.95
- Number of Transactions: 1
- Average Payment: $2,031.95
- 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. Karen Harris'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 | $2,031.95 | Transportation and hotel expenses for conferences and meetings |
The largest payment category for Dr. Karen Harris is Travel & Lodging, accounting for 100% ($2,031.95) of total pharmaceutical payments received. This represents the primary type of financial relationship between Dr. Karen Harris and pharmaceutical companies.
Pharmaceutical Company Relationships
The following pharmaceutical and medical device companies have made payments to Dr. Karen Harris. Click on any company name to view their full physician payment profile and spending patterns.
| Company | Total Paid | Transactions |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Johnson | $2,031.95 | 1 |
Dr. Karen Harris has a financial relationship with Johnson & Johnson, receiving $2,031.95 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. Karen Harris's payment history, specialty peer comparisons, and payment pattern analysis. This analysis is not medical or legal advice.
Dr. Karen Harris, an Internal Medicine physician in City, WA, has a pharmaceutical payment profile characterized by a single, relatively small payment. With a total of $2,031.95 received from pharmaceutical companies, this amount is notably low when compared to the average for physicians in Internal Medicine. The data indicates that this payment originated from Johnson & Johnson, totaling the entire reported amount. The nature of this payment was for travel, occurring on September 27, 2024. This payment pattern suggests a minimal engagement with the pharmaceutical industry. The breakdown of payment types shows that the entirety of the $2,031.95 was categorized as travel. There are no reported payments for consulting, speaking engagements, research, meals, or ownership interests. This singular, travel-related payment, while documented, does not indicate a pattern of routine professional activity that might involve extensive collaboration or advisory roles with pharmaceutical companies. Instead, it appears to be an isolated instance. For patients, understanding these payments is crucial for maintaining an objective view of their healthcare. While pharmaceutical payments can facilitate the dissemination of information about new treatments and technologies, they can also introduce potential biases. In Dr. Harris's case, the low volume and specific nature of the payment suggest that her clinical decisions are unlikely to be significantly influenced by financial ties to the industry. Patients should view this profile as indicating a low level of financial interaction, which generally aligns with a reduced risk of undue influence. However, it is always prudent for patients to engage in open communication with their doctors about treatment options and to seek second opinions when necessary, regardless of reported payment data.
Patient Guidance: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If Dr. Karen Harris 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 perspective. Dr. Harris's profile shows a very low volume of payments, with a single payment for travel from Johnson & Johnson. This is significantly less than the average for Internal Medicine physicians. Generally, minor payments for travel or meals are common and often represent legitimate professional interactions, such as attending educational events or discussing new therapies. However, larger or more frequent payments, especially for consulting or speaking, might warrant closer examination. At your next appointment, you can ask your doctor about their relationships with pharmaceutical companies and how they ensure their treatment recommendations are unbiased. Red flags might include a doctor who exclusively prescribes medications from a company that frequently pays them, or who seems overly enthusiastic about a particular drug without clear clinical justification. It's normal for doctors to have some professional interactions with the industry, as it's a source of medical innovation. However, if you have concerns about your doctor's prescribing patterns or feel their recommendations are not in your best interest, discuss these concerns openly. If unresolved, seeking a second opinion from another physician is always a reasonable step.
Peer Comparison: How Dr. Karen Harris Compares to Other Internal Medicine Physicians
The average total payments received by Internal Medicine physicians from pharmaceutical companies can vary significantly, but typically range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars annually, often spread across multiple companies and payment types. Dr. Harris's total payment of $2,031.95 from a single transaction is substantially lower than the average. This places her well below the typical range for her specialty, indicating minimal financial engagement with the pharmaceutical industry.
Recent Payment Records
The following table shows the most recent pharmaceutical industry payments recorded for Dr. Karen Harris 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 | $2,031.95 | travel | N/A | 2024-09-27 | Not Assessed |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Karen Harris's Pharma Payments
Below are common questions patients ask about physician pharmaceutical payment data.
Is Dr. Karen Harris taking too much pharma money?
Based on the available data, Dr. Karen Harris has received a total of $2,031.95 from pharmaceutical companies, with a single payment for travel from Johnson & Johnson. This amount is considerably lower than the average for physicians in Internal Medicine. While any payment warrants transparency, this volume and the nature of the payment (travel) suggest a minimal financial relationship with the industry. It does not appear to be an excessive amount that would inherently raise significant concerns about bias in her practice.
What pharma companies pay Dr. Karen Harris?
Dr. Karen Harris has received payments from one pharmaceutical company: Johnson & Johnson. The total amount paid by Johnson & Johnson to Dr. Harris is $2,031.95.
Should I switch doctors because of pharma payments?
Switching doctors solely based on pharmaceutical payment data is generally not recommended unless there are other significant concerns. Dr. Harris's payment profile is very low. If you have specific concerns about her prescribing habits, communication, or the quality of care you receive, those are more direct reasons to consider a change. However, a low volume of payments, as seen here, typically indicates a reduced risk of undue influence.
What kinds of payments does this doctor receive?
Dr. Karen Harris received one payment totaling $2,031.95, which was specifically categorized as 'travel' from Johnson & Johnson. There are no reported payments for consulting, speaking, meals, research, or ownership interests.
How do these payments compare to other Internal Medicine?
Dr. Harris's total payment of $2,031.95 is significantly lower than the average for Internal Medicine physicians. While averages vary, many physicians in this specialty receive substantially more, often in the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars annually, distributed across various payment types and companies. Her profile indicates minimal financial interaction compared to her peers.
Do pharma payments affect prescribing quality?
Research suggests that even small payments can influence physician prescribing behavior, potentially leading to increased prescription of the paying company's drugs. However, the extent of this influence is debated and likely depends on the volume, type, and frequency of payments. Dr. Harris's minimal payment history suggests a lower likelihood of significant influence on her prescribing quality due to financial ties.
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. Karen Harris by name or NPI (1718875557), and review the detailed records of payments made to her by pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
Understanding This Doctor Payment Report
This transparency report for Dr. Karen Harris 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. Karen Harris'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. Karen Harris 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
- Washington Physician Payments -- Browse pharmaceutical payments to physicians in Washington
- Internal Medicine Physicians in Washington -- Compare Dr. Karen Harris to peers in the same state and specialty
- Johnson & Johnson Payment Profile -- View all payments made by Dr. Karen Harris'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. Karen Harris's NPI (1718875557) 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.