Dr. Joseph Carter -- Pharmaceutical Payment Report
This page provides a comprehensive transparency report for Dr. Joseph Carter, a Internal Medicine physician based in City, IN. All payment data is sourced from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database. Dr. Joseph Carter has received $1,546.81 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. Joseph Carter
- Medical Specialty: Internal Medicine
- Practice Location: City, IN, Indiana
- NPI Number: 1735189503
- Transparency Score: 95/100
- Payment Records Span: 2024-09-05 to 2024-09-05
Payment Summary
Dr. Joseph Carter has received a total of $1,546.81 in pharmaceutical industry payments across 1 recorded transactions in the CMS Open Payments database. The average payment amount is $1,546.81 per transaction.
- Total Payments Received: $1,546.81
- Number of Transactions: 1
- Average Payment: $1,546.81
- Transparency Score: 95/100 -- 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. Joseph Carter'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 |
|---|
The largest payment category for Dr. Joseph Carter is Speaking & Education, accounting for 0% ($0.00) 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. Joseph Carter. Click on any company name to view their full physician payment profile and spending patterns.
| Company | Total Paid | Transactions |
|---|---|---|
| Pfizer Inc | $1,546.81 | 1 |
Dr. Joseph Carter has a financial relationship with Pfizer Inc, receiving $1,546.81 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. Joseph Carter's payment history, specialty peer comparisons, and payment pattern analysis. This analysis is not medical or legal advice.
Dr. Joseph Carter, an Internal Medicine physician in City, IN, has a pharmaceutical payment profile characterized by a single, relatively small payment. With a total of $1546.81 received from pharmaceutical companies, Dr. Carter's payment volume is exceptionally low when compared to the national average for Internal Medicine physicians. The vast majority of physicians in this specialty receive significantly more, often in the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars annually, through various channels. This single payment of $1546.81 originates from Pfizer Inc., a major pharmaceutical manufacturer. The nature of this payment is listed as 'general,' and it occurred on September 5, 2024. Without further detail on the specific 'general' category, it's difficult to ascertain the exact nature of the interaction, but it is likely related to educational activities, advisory roles, or potentially research support, though the amount is modest for substantial research funding. The payment breakdown shows no activity in consulting, speaking, meals, travel, research, or ownership stakes, indicating that this single transaction represents the entirety of his reported pharmaceutical industry interactions for the period covered by the data. This pattern, with only one minor payment, does not suggest routine or extensive engagement with the pharmaceutical industry. Instead, it points towards a minimal professional relationship. For patients, this low level of financial interaction generally means that Dr. Carter's clinical decisions are less likely to be influenced by financial incentives from drug manufacturers. While all physicians interact with pharmaceutical representatives and information, a low payment volume like this suggests that his prescribing habits are more likely to be driven by evidence-based medicine and patient needs rather than industry influence. Patients should feel reassured by this minimal financial connection, as it aligns with a practice focused on patient care without significant external financial ties to drug companies.
Patient Guidance: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If Dr. Joseph Carter 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 understand what these payments mean. Most doctors have some level of interaction, which can include receiving samples, attending educational events, or participating in advisory boards. Payments from drug companies are not inherently bad; they can support valuable research and education. However, it's important to be aware of the potential for influence. A doctor receiving substantial or frequent payments, especially for activities like consulting or speaking, might be more inclined to prescribe certain medications. Red flags to watch for include a doctor who consistently prescribes expensive brand-name drugs when cheaper, equally effective generics are available, or who seems overly enthusiastic about a particular drug without clear clinical justification. At your next appointment, you can ask your doctor about their relationships with pharmaceutical companies. You might inquire, 'Do you receive any payments or benefits from drug companies, and how do you ensure these relationships don't influence your prescribing decisions?' It's also wise to research your doctor's payment history through resources like the CMS Open Payments database. If your doctor's payment profile is exceptionally high or involves frequent payments for speaking or consulting, it might be a reason to ask more probing questions or seek a second opinion, though a single, modest payment like Dr. Carter's is generally not a cause for concern.
Peer Comparison: How Dr. Joseph Carter Compares to Other Internal Medicine Physicians
Dr. Joseph Carter's total pharmaceutical payments of $1546.81 are significantly lower than the average for Internal Medicine physicians. While averages can vary widely, many Internal Medicine doctors receive payments in the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars annually. For instance, the median payment for Internal Medicine physicians often falls within the range of $1,000 to $5,000, with top earners receiving considerably more. Dr. Carter's single payment places him well below the typical range, indicating minimal financial engagement with the pharmaceutical industry compared to his peers.
Recent Payment Records
The following table shows the most recent pharmaceutical industry payments recorded for Dr. Joseph Carter 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 | $1,546.81 | general | N/A | 2024-09-05 | Not Assessed |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Joseph Carter's Pharma Payments
Below are common questions patients ask about physician pharmaceutical payment data.
Is Dr. Joseph Carter taking too much pharma money?
Dr. Joseph Carter has received a single payment of $1546.81 from Pfizer Inc. This amount is exceptionally low when compared to the average Internal Medicine physician, who often receives thousands of dollars annually. His payment profile indicates minimal financial engagement with the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, based on the available data, he is not taking an excessive amount of pharmaceutical money. This low volume suggests his prescribing decisions are unlikely to be significantly influenced by industry payments.
What pharma companies pay Dr. Joseph Carter?
Dr. Joseph Carter has received payments exclusively from Pfizer Inc. The total amount from this company is $1546.81, representing his entire reported pharmaceutical payment history.
Should I switch doctors because of pharma payments?
Switching doctors solely based on pharmaceutical payments should be a nuanced decision. If your doctor has a very high volume of payments, particularly for consulting or speaking, and you observe a pattern of prescribing expensive drugs without clear justification, it might warrant further investigation or a second opinion. However, for doctors with minimal or no payments, like Dr. Joseph Carter, or even those with modest payments for legitimate educational activities, there is typically no immediate cause for concern. Focus on the quality of care, communication, and your trust in your doctor's judgment.
What kinds of payments does this doctor receive?
Dr. Joseph Carter has received one payment totaling $1546.81, categorized as 'general' from Pfizer Inc. His payment breakdown shows zero activity in consulting, speaking, meals, travel, research, or ownership. This indicates that his reported pharmaceutical industry interactions are limited to this single, unspecified general payment.
How do these payments compare to other Internal Medicine?
Dr. Joseph Carter's total payment of $1546.81 is substantially lower than the average for Internal Medicine physicians. While averages vary, many physicians in this specialty receive payments in the thousands or tens of thousands annually. His profile indicates minimal financial engagement compared to the typical physician in his field.
Do pharma payments affect prescribing quality?
Research suggests that even small payments from pharmaceutical companies can influence physician prescribing habits, often leading to increased prescription rates for the paying company's drugs. However, the impact on overall 'quality' is complex. While some studies show a correlation between payments and prescribing patterns, it doesn't automatically mean care is compromised. Factors like the type of payment, the amount, and the physician's individual practices play a role. Dr. Carter's minimal payment suggests a lower likelihood of such influence.
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. Joseph Carter' using his NPI (1735189503), and review the reported payments. This database provides detailed information on financial relationships between healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
Understanding This Doctor Payment Report
This transparency report for Dr. Joseph Carter 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. Joseph Carter'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. Joseph Carter 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
- Indiana Physician Payments -- Browse pharmaceutical payments to physicians in Indiana
- Internal Medicine Physicians in Indiana -- Compare Dr. Joseph Carter to peers in the same state and specialty
- Pfizer Inc Payment Profile -- View all payments made by Dr. Joseph Carter'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. Joseph Carter's NPI (1735189503) 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.