$38.83 meals Payment -- Eli Lilly and Company to Dr. Michael Rodriguez
Eli Lilly and Company provides $38.83 meal payment to Endocrinologist Michael Rodriguez for Stelara
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $38.83 meals payment from Eli Lilly and Company to Dr. Michael Rodriguez. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $38.83 |
| Payment Type | meals |
| Payment Nature | Food and Beverage |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Physician | Dr. Michael Rodriguez |
| NPI Number | 1343265688 |
| Physician Specialty | Endocrinology |
| Location | Macon, GA |
| Date of Payment | 2025-03-10 |
| Related Drug/Device | Stelara |
| Conflict Assessment | Low -- Routine |
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 $38.83 meals payment to Michael Rodriguez, a Endocrinology specialist in Macon, GA. The payment was associated with Stelara. This record details a $38.83 payment for meals from Eli Lilly and Company to Dr. Michael Rodriguez, an Endocrinologist. The payment was associated with the drug Stelara, indicating a potential influence on prescribing habits. The payment occurred on March 10, 2025, in Macon, GA.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
This payment represents a meal provided by a pharmaceutical company, which is a common practice and does not necessarily indicate any specific medical recommendation. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
A $38.83 meal payment to an Endocrinologist is a common and generally low-value interaction within the specialty, often related to educational discussions.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments for meals and beverages to physicians are reportable under the Sunshine Act, requiring disclosure to ensure transparency in healthcare.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- physician-compensation
- meals-and-entertainment
- drug-promotion
- endocrinology
- stelara
Understanding meals Payments
Food and beverage payments cover meals provided to physicians during pharmaceutical sales representative visits, medical conferences, and educational events. While individual meal payments tend to be small (often under $100), research published in JAMA Internal Medicine has shown that even modest meals can be associated with changes in prescribing behavior. Meal payments are the most common type of pharmaceutical payment to physicians.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $38.83 payment for?
This was a meals payment of $38.83 from Eli Lilly and Company to Michael Rodriguez, categorized as "Food and Beverage". It was associated with Stelara. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Michael Rodriguez accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Michael Rodriguez received this $38.83 payment from Eli Lilly and Company. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Michael Rodriguez'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 meals payment?
A meals payment of $38.83 is generally routine and common in the industry. 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 Michael Rodriguez's relationship with Eli Lilly and Company?
The payment amount is relatively small, suggesting it was for a routine meal rather than a significant event. This $38.83 meals payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Endocrinology?
The payment type is 'meals', which is a common form of interaction between pharma and physicians.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
This payment represents a meal provided by a pharmaceutical company, which is a common practice and does not necessarily indicate any specific medical recommendation.
What else should I know about this meals payment?
The specific drug mentioned is Stelara, which is used to treat autoimmune conditions.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.