$15,197.86 consulting Payment -- Eli Lilly and Company to Dr. Catherine Morris
Psychiatrist Receives Significant Consulting Fee from Pharma Company for Unrelated Drug
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $15,197.86 consulting payment from Eli Lilly and Company to Dr. Catherine Morris. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $15,197.86 |
| Payment Type | consulting |
| Payment Nature | Consulting Fee |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Physician | Dr. Catherine Morris |
| NPI Number | 1365822358 |
| Physician Specialty | Psychiatry |
| Location | Flint, MI |
| Date of Payment | 2024-12-25 |
| Related Drug/Device | Opdivo |
| Conflict Assessment | High -- Significant |
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.
Eli Lilly and Company made a $15.2K consulting payment to Catherine Morris, a Psychiatry specialist in Flint, MI. The payment was associated with Opdivo. Catherine Morris received a $15,197.86 consulting fee from Eli Lilly and Company. The payment was made on December 25, 2024, for consulting services. The payment is associated with the drug Opdivo, though Opdivo is an oncology drug and the recipient's specialty is Psychiatry.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
If you are a patient, understand that payments to physicians can cover various services, but it's always good to discuss any potential conflicts of interest with your doctor. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
A $15,197.86 consulting fee for a psychiatrist from Eli Lilly and Company is a significant payment, especially given the drug listed (Opdivo) is typically associated with oncology, not psychiatry.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments to physicians by pharmaceutical companies are subject to disclosure under the Sunshine Act, requiring transparency regarding financial relationships.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- consulting-fees
- physician-compensation
- eli-lilly-and-company
- psychiatry
- opdivo
Understanding consulting Payments
Consulting payments are made when pharmaceutical companies hire physicians as advisors or consultants. This can include serving on advisory boards, providing expert medical opinions on drug development or marketing strategies, and reviewing clinical data. Consulting is one of the most common forms of pharmaceutical payment to physicians and can range from a few hundred dollars for a brief consultation to tens of thousands of dollars for ongoing advisory relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $15.2K payment for?
This was a consulting payment of $15.2K from Eli Lilly and Company to Catherine Morris, categorized as "Consulting Fee". It was associated with Opdivo. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Catherine Morris accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Catherine Morris received this $15.2K payment from Eli Lilly and Company. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Catherine Morris'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 consulting payment?
A consulting payment of $15.2K may reflect legitimate advisory services the physician provides. 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 Psychiatry?
To compare this payment against Psychiatry averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Psychiatry 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 Catherine Morris's relationship with Eli Lilly and Company?
The payment amount is substantial for a consulting fee. This $15.2K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Psychiatry?
The payment date falls on a major holiday.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
If you are a patient, understand that payments to physicians can cover various services, but it's always good to discuss any potential conflicts of interest with your doctor.
What else should I know about this consulting payment?
There is a notable discrepancy between the recipient's specialty (Psychiatry) and the drug mentioned (Opdivo, an oncology drug).
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.