$51,449.76 speaking Payment -- AbbVie Inc to Dr. Michelle Scott
Dermatologist Michelle Scott Receives Over $51,000 in Speaker Fees from AbbVie Inc.
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $51,449.76 speaking payment from AbbVie Inc to Dr. Michelle Scott. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $51,449.76 |
| Payment Type | speaking |
| Payment Nature | Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker |
| Pharmaceutical Company | AbbVie Inc |
| Physician | Dr. Michelle Scott |
| NPI Number | 1655004234 |
| Physician Specialty | Dermatology |
| Location | Tampa, FL |
| Date of Payment | 2025-02-24 |
| 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.
AbbVie Inc made a $51.4K speaking payment to Michelle Scott, a Dermatology specialist in Tampa, FL. The payment was associated with Opdivo. AbbVie Inc. paid Dr. Michelle Scott $51,449.76 for speaking engagements related to Opdivo. The payment was for serving as faculty or a speaker, indicating an educational or promotional role. This payment occurred on February 24, 2025, and was made to a dermatologist in Tampa, FL.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
If you are a patient, understand that your doctor may receive compensation for educating others about treatments. Discuss any questions about your care with your physician. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Payments for speaking engagements are common in pharmaceuticals, but the amount and specific context should be considered within the norms for dermatology and the associated drug's therapeutic area.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
This payment falls under the Sunshine Act provisions of the Affordable Care Act, requiring disclosure of payments made by manufacturers of drugs, devices, and other healthcare items to physicians and teaching hospitals.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- speaker-fees
- pharmaceutical-payments
- dermatology
- abbvie
- opdivo
- physician-compensation
Understanding speaking Payments
Speaking and education payments compensate physicians for presenting at conferences, continuing medical education (CME) events, and promotional speaking engagements. These payments often cover honoraria, preparation time, and travel expenses. Speaking fees are among the highest-value payment categories and have attracted significant attention from researchers studying potential conflicts of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $51.4K payment for?
This was a speaking payment of $51.4K from AbbVie Inc to Michelle Scott, categorized as "Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker". It was associated with Opdivo. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Michelle Scott accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Michelle Scott received this $51.4K payment from AbbVie Inc. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Michelle Scott'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 speaking payment?
A speaking payment of $51.4K 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 Dermatology?
To compare this payment against Dermatology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Dermatology 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 Michelle Scott's relationship with AbbVie Inc?
The total amount paid is substantial, suggesting significant speaker activity. This $51.4K speaking payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Dermatology?
The payment is specifically for 'Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker'.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
If you are a patient, understand that your doctor may receive compensation for educating others about treatments. Discuss any questions about your care with your physician.
What else should I know about this speaking payment?
Opdivo, the associated drug/device, is a significant therapy in oncology, though the specialty listed is Dermatology.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.