Dr. William Lee -- Pharmaceutical Payment Report
This page provides a comprehensive transparency report for Dr. William Lee, a Rheumatology physician based in City, MD. All payment data is sourced from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database. Dr. William Lee has received $10,849.95 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. William Lee
- Medical Specialty: Rheumatology
- Practice Location: City, MD, Maryland
- NPI Number: 1884431194
- Transparency Score: 75/100
- Payment Records Span: 2024-09-22 to 2024-09-22
Payment Summary
Dr. William Lee has received a total of $10,849.95 in pharmaceutical industry payments across 1 recorded transactions in the CMS Open Payments database. The average payment amount is $10,849.95 per transaction.
- Total Payments Received: $10,849.95
- Number of Transactions: 1
- Average Payment: $10,849.95
- Transparency Score: 75/100 -- This score reflects the overall payment profile relative to peers in Rheumatology. 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. William Lee'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking & Education | $10,849.95 | Promotional speaking, CME events, and educational presentations |
The largest payment category for Dr. William Lee is Speaking & Education, accounting for 100% ($10,849.95) 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. William Lee. Click on any company name to view their full physician payment profile and spending patterns.
| Company | Total Paid | Transactions |
|---|---|---|
| Boehringer Ingelheim | $10,849.95 | 1 |
Dr. William Lee has a financial relationship with Boehringer Ingelheim, receiving $10,849.95 in total. Having a single pharmaceutical company relationship means all payments come from one source, which may indicate a focused consulting or research relationship.
Drugs and Medical Devices Referenced in Payments
The following drugs and medical devices have been referenced in pharmaceutical payments to Dr. William Lee. These references indicate that the payment was related to the marketing, consulting, or clinical use of these products.
- Tecfidera -- Referenced in payment records from pharmaceutical companies to Dr. William Lee
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. William Lee's payment history, specialty peer comparisons, and payment pattern analysis. This analysis is not medical or legal advice.
William Lee has received $10.8K across 1 pharmaceutical payments as a Rheumatology physician in City, MD. Top paying companies include Boehringer Ingelheim ($10.8K). The physician received a single payment of $10,850 in 2024. This payment originated entirely from Boehringer Ingelheim, representing 100% of the total amount received. The payment was categorized as 'speaking' and was associated with the drug 'Tecfidera'.
Patient Guidance: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If Dr. William Lee is your physician, here is practical guidance on how to understand and discuss pharmaceutical industry relationships:
Patients may wish to inquire about the specific educational content or purpose of any speaking engagements their doctor participates in, especially if it involves specific medications. Always feel free to ask your doctor directly about their pharmaceutical relationships.
Peer Comparison: How Dr. William Lee Compares to Other Rheumatology Physicians
Compared to other Rheumatologists, Dr. Lee's payment profile shows a high concentration from a single manufacturer for a speaking engagement.
Recent Payment Records
The following table shows the most recent pharmaceutical industry payments recorded for Dr. William Lee in the CMS Open Payments database. Click on any payment to view the full report.
| Company | Amount | Type | Drug/Device | Date | Conflict Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boehringer Ingelheim | $10,849.95 | speaking | Tecfidera | 2024-09-22 | Not Assessed |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. William Lee's Pharma Payments
Below are common questions patients ask about physician pharmaceutical payment data.
How much pharma money has William Lee received?
William Lee has received a total of $10.8K across 1 payments from pharmaceutical companies. This data is publicly reported under the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) program.
Is William Lee taking too much pharma money?
William Lee has received $10.8K in pharmaceutical payments. Whether this is "too much" depends on the physician's specialty (Rheumatology), the types of payments, and how they compare to peers. The largest payment category is speaking ($10.8K). Payment does not imply wrongdoing, but patients should be aware and can ask their doctor directly.
What pharma companies pay William Lee?
The top pharmaceutical companies paying William Lee are: Boehringer Ingelheim ($10.8K). These payments cover various categories including consulting, meals, speaking fees, and research grants.
What kinds of payments does William Lee receive?
William Lee's payments by type: speaking: $10.8K.
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 William Lee's payments compare to other Rheumatology doctors?
To compare, look at the total amount ($10.8K), number of payments (1), and the types of payments received. Rheumatology 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 William Lee'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 (1884431194). 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 William Lee's pharma payment profile?
The physician has a single, substantial payment, suggesting a focused relationship with one company. William Lee has received $10.8K in total pharma payments.
How does William Lee compare to peers in Rheumatology?
Compared to other Rheumatologists, Dr. Lee's payment profile shows a high concentration from a single manufacturer for a speaking engagement.
Are William Lee's pharma relationships typical for Rheumatology?
The payment type ('speaking') and associated drug ('Tecfidera') indicate a potential educational or promotional role.
What should patients of William Lee know about these payments?
Patients may wish to inquire about the specific educational content or purpose of any speaking engagements their doctor participates in, especially if it involves specific medications.
What patterns are visible in William Lee's payment history?
The concentration of payments from a single company is notable.
Understanding This Doctor Payment Report
This transparency report for Dr. William Lee 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. Rheumatology 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. William Lee'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. William Lee and all other physicians can be accessed at the official CMS Open Payments website.
Related Resources
- Rheumatology Specialty Payment Data -- See payment patterns for all rheumatology physicians
- Maryland Physician Payments -- Browse pharmaceutical payments to physicians in Maryland
- Rheumatology Physicians in Maryland -- Compare Dr. William Lee to peers in the same state and specialty
- Boehringer Ingelheim Payment Profile -- View all payments made by Dr. William Lee'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. William Lee's NPI (1884431194) 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.