$3,884.49 travel Payment -- Sanofi to Dr. Lisa Garcia
Sanofi covers $3,884.49 in travel and lodging for an Allergy & Immunology specialist.
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $3,884.49 travel payment from Sanofi to Dr. Lisa Garcia. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $3,884.49 |
| Payment Type | travel |
| Payment Nature | Travel and Lodging |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Sanofi |
| Physician | Dr. Lisa Garcia |
| NPI Number | 1169595361 |
| Physician Specialty | Allergy & Immunology |
| Location | Augusta, GA |
| Date of Payment | 2025-02-04 |
| Related Drug/Device | Opdivo |
| Conflict Assessment | Moderate -- Worth Noting |
AI-Powered Analysis of This Payment
The following analysis was generated by artificial intelligence to help patients understand the context, significance, and implications of this pharmaceutical payment. This analysis is not medical or legal advice.
Sanofi made a $3.9K travel payment to Lisa Garcia, a Allergy & Immunology specialist in Augusta, GA. The payment was associated with Opdivo. The payment of $3,884.49 to Dr. Lisa Garcia from Sanofi in February 2025 was for travel and lodging. This payment is associated with Opdivo, a drug used in oncology. The payment was made to an Allergy & Immunology specialist in Augusta, GA.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
This payment covered travel and lodging expenses related to your professional activities. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Travel and lodging payments to Allergy & Immunology specialists can vary widely depending on the nature of the educational event or research activity.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
This payment falls under the Sunshine Act reporting requirements, which mandate disclosure of payments made by manufacturers of drugs, devices, or medical supplies to physicians and teaching hospitals.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- travel-and-lodging
- allergy-immunology
- sanofi
- opdivo
- cms-open-payments
Understanding travel Payments
Travel and lodging payments cover transportation and accommodation expenses for physicians attending conferences, advisory board meetings, or speaking engagements sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. These payments can be substantial, particularly for international travel or multi-day events.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $3.9K payment for?
This was a travel payment of $3.9K from Sanofi to Lisa Garcia, categorized as "Travel and Lodging". It was associated with Opdivo. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Lisa Garcia accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Lisa Garcia received this $3.9K payment from Sanofi. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Lisa Garcia's full payment history on the CMS Open Payments database or on this site.
Is it legal for doctors to accept pharma payments?
Yes, it is legal for physicians to receive payments from pharmaceutical companies. The Physician Payments Sunshine Act (2010) requires transparency by mandating that companies report all payments exceeding $10 to CMS. These payments include consulting fees, meals, travel, speaking fees, and research grants. The law does not prohibit payments but ensures public disclosure.
Should I be concerned about this travel payment?
A travel payment of $3.9K should be evaluated in context. Payment does not imply wrongdoing, but patients have the right to ask their doctor about pharmaceutical relationships.
How do I talk to my doctor about pharma relationships?
You can ask your doctor directly: "Do you receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?" and "Does this affect which medications you prescribe?" Most doctors will answer honestly. You can also verify payment data yourself through CMS Open Payments (openpaymentsdata.cms.gov). Consider asking about generic alternatives and whether the prescribed medication is the best option regardless of manufacturer relationships.
What types of pharma payments are most concerning?
Ownership interests and large consulting/speaking fees are generally considered more significant than meals or small educational grants. Research payments typically fund clinical studies and are common in academic medicine. The total volume and concentration of payments from a single company may be more telling than any individual payment. Patterns matter more than individual transactions.
Does pharma money affect what my doctor prescribes?
Research shows that even small payments can influence prescribing behavior. Studies published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that physicians who received meals costing as little as $20 were more likely to prescribe the promoted brand-name drug. However, many physician-industry interactions are legitimate professional activities. The key is transparency and awareness.
How does this compare to other doctors in Allergy & Immunology?
To compare this payment against Allergy & Immunology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Allergy & Immunology physicians may receive payments for consulting, speaking, or research that are standard for the field. Individual payments should be evaluated in the context of the doctor's full payment history.
What does this payment reveal about Lisa Garcia's relationship with Sanofi?
The payment was specifically for 'Travel and Lodging'. This $3.9K travel payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Allergy & Immunology?
The recipient is Dr. Lisa Garcia, an Allergy & Immunology specialist.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
This payment covered travel and lodging expenses related to your professional activities.
What else should I know about this travel payment?
The payment was made by Sanofi, a pharmaceutical company.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.