$1,599.64 travel Payment -- Merck & Co to Dr. Stephanie King

Payment Details

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.

Merck & Co made a $1.6K travel payment to Stephanie King, a Endocrinology specialist in City, AL. The payment was associated with Entresto. The payment of $1599.64 to Dr. Stephanie King was for travel and lodging related to Entresto. This payment occurred on January 24, 2026, from Merck & Co. The payment was made to a physician in Alabama specializing in Endocrinology.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

This payment may cover travel expenses for educational purposes related to a medication. Consult your doctor for details on how this might impact your care. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

Travel and lodging payments are common in the pharmaceutical industry to facilitate physician education and engagement with new therapies, but the frequency and nature can vary by specialty.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

Payments made by manufacturers to physicians for travel and lodging must be reported under the Open Payments program and may be subject to review for compliance with federal anti-kickback statutes.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• pharmaceutical-payments
• physician-compensation
• travel-reimbursement
• entresto
• merck-co
• endocrinology

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 $1.6K payment for?

This was a travel payment of $1.6K from Merck & Co to Stephanie King, categorized as "Travel and Lodging". It was associated with Entresto. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Stephanie King accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Stephanie King received this $1.6K payment from Merck & Co. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Stephanie King'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 $1.6K 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 Endocrinology?

To compare this payment against Endocrinology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Endocrinology 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 Stephanie King's relationship with Merck & Co?

The payment amount is specific and itemized as travel and lodging. This $1.6K travel payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Endocrinology?

The payment date is in the future, suggesting a planned educational event or consultation.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

This payment may cover travel expenses for educational purposes related to a medication. Consult your doctor for details on how this might impact your care.

What else should I know about this travel payment?

The physician's specialty is Endocrinology, and the associated drug is Entresto.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Stephanie King's full payment report
• Merck & Co full spending report
• Browse all Endocrinology payments
• Browse all payments in Alabama
• Search for other payments