Dr. Joseph Carter -- Pharmaceutical Payment Report
This page provides a comprehensive transparency report for Dr. Joseph Carter, a Rheumatology physician based in Pittsburgh, PA. All payment data is sourced from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database. Dr. Joseph Carter has received $20,049.82 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: Rheumatology
- Practice Location: Pittsburgh, PA, Pennsylvania
- NPI Number: 1968025813
- Payment Records Span: 2026-04-02 to 2026-04-02
Payment Summary
Dr. Joseph Carter has received a total of $20,049.82 in pharmaceutical industry payments across 1 recorded transactions in the CMS Open Payments database. The average payment amount is $20,049.82 per transaction.
- Total Payments Received: $20,049.82
- Number of Transactions: 1
- Average Payment: $20,049.82
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Consulting Fees | $20,049.82 | Advisory board participation, clinical consulting, and expert opinion services |
The largest payment category for Dr. Joseph Carter is Consulting Fees, accounting for 100% ($20,049.82) 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Amgen Inc | $20,049.82 | 1 |
Dr. Joseph Carter has a financial relationship with Amgen Inc, receiving $20,049.82 in total. Having a single pharmaceutical company relationship means all payments come from one source, which may indicate a focused consulting or research relationship.
Patient Guidance: Questions to Ask About Pharma Payments
If Dr. Joseph Carter is your physician and you have questions about their pharmaceutical industry payments, here are some constructive approaches:
- "I saw you received payments from pharmaceutical companies. Can you help me understand those relationships?" -- Most physicians are happy to discuss these relationships transparently. Payments often fund legitimate medical education, research, and advisory work.
- "Are there alternative treatments you would recommend if cost were not a factor?" -- This question helps ensure prescribing decisions are based on clinical evidence rather than any single factor.
- "Is there a generic option available for any medications you prescribe?" -- Understanding all available options, including generics, ensures you can make an informed choice about your treatment plan.
Remember, pharmaceutical payments do not inherently indicate wrongdoing. Many payments support valuable activities like medical research, professional education, and clinical trial oversight. However, transparency empowers patients to have informed conversations with their healthcare providers.
Understanding Rheumatology Pharmaceutical Payments
Pharmaceutical payment patterns vary significantly by medical specialty. Rheumatology is a specialty where pharmaceutical companies frequently engage physicians for consulting, speaking, and research activities related to the treatments and devices used in this field.
When evaluating Dr. Joseph Carter's payment profile, it is important to compare against other Rheumatology physicians rather than doctors in unrelated fields. Specialists who work with expensive drugs, medical devices, or cutting-edge treatments typically receive higher payment volumes than primary care physicians, which reflects the nature of the specialty rather than any impropriety.
Geographic context also matters. Payment patterns in Pennsylvania may differ from national averages due to local healthcare market dynamics, presence of academic medical centers, and the concentration of pharmaceutical company headquarters in the region.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amgen Inc | $20,049.82 | consulting | N/A | 2026-04-02 | Not Assessed |
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Joseph Carter's Pharma Payments
Below are common questions patients ask about physician pharmaceutical payment data.
How much has Dr. Joseph Carter received from pharmaceutical companies?
According to CMS Open Payments data, Dr. Joseph Carter has received a total of $20,049.82 in pharmaceutical industry payments across 1 recorded transactions. These payments came from 1 pharmaceutical companies.
What types of payments has Dr. Joseph Carter received?
Dr. Joseph Carter's payments include Consulting Fees ($20,049.82). Each payment type reflects a different kind of professional engagement with pharmaceutical companies.
Does receiving pharmaceutical payments mean Dr. Joseph Carter is compromised?
No. Receiving pharmaceutical payments does not inherently indicate wrongdoing or compromised medical judgment. Many payments support legitimate professional activities such as medical research, clinical trial oversight, continuing education, and advisory board participation. The Sunshine Act requires disclosure of these payments precisely so that patients can have transparent, informed discussions with their physicians about these financial relationships.
What is the NPI number 1968025813 for Dr. Joseph Carter?
NPI stands for National Provider Identifier. It is a unique 10-digit identification number issued by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to healthcare providers in the United States. Dr. Joseph Carter's NPI number 1968025813 uniquely identifies them across all CMS databases, including the Open Payments system that tracks pharmaceutical industry payments to physicians.
How can I verify Dr. Joseph Carter's pharmaceutical payment data?
All payment data shown on DoctorPharmaData comes from the official CMS Open Payments database, which is publicly available at openpaymentsdata.cms.gov. You can search for Dr. Joseph Carter using their NPI number (1968025813) to verify all payment records directly with the federal government's database. The data is updated annually with each new reporting cycle.
What is Rheumatology and how do pharma payments work in this field?
Rheumatology is a medical specialty practiced by Dr. Joseph Carter in Pittsburgh, PA. Pharmaceutical payments in rheumatology typically relate to the drugs, devices, and treatments used in this field. Companies may pay rheumatology specialists for consulting on drug development, speaking about treatments at medical conferences, conducting clinical research, or participating on scientific advisory boards.
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. 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. 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
- Rheumatology Specialty Payment Data -- See payment patterns for all rheumatology physicians
- Pennsylvania Physician Payments -- Browse pharmaceutical payments to physicians in Pennsylvania
- Rheumatology Physicians in Pennsylvania -- Compare Dr. Joseph Carter to peers in the same state and specialty
- Amgen 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 (1968025813) 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.