$308,080.83 ownership Payment -- AbbVie Inc to Dr. Elizabeth Roberts
AbbVie Inc. Discloses Over $308,000 Ownership Interest to Rheumatologist Elizabeth Roberts
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $308,080.83 ownership payment from AbbVie Inc to Dr. Elizabeth Roberts. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $308,080.83 |
| Payment Type | ownership |
| Payment Nature | Ownership or Investment Interest |
| Pharmaceutical Company | AbbVie Inc |
| Physician | Dr. Elizabeth Roberts |
| NPI Number | 1199800414 |
| Physician Specialty | Rheumatology |
| Location | Houston, TX |
| Date of Payment | 2025-01-10 |
| 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.
AbbVie Inc made a $308.1K ownership payment to Elizabeth Roberts, a Rheumatology specialist in Houston, TX. AbbVie Inc. reported a significant ownership interest payment of $308,080.83 to Dr. Elizabeth Roberts in Houston, TX. This payment, categorized as 'Ownership or Investment Interest', was made on January 10, 2025. The substantial amount suggests a potentially deep financial relationship between AbbVie Inc. and Dr. Roberts, a Rheumatologist.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
If you are a patient, understand that payments to your doctor can take various forms, including ownership interests, which may influence treatment options. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Ownership interests can represent significant financial ties between pharmaceutical companies and physicians, potentially exceeding typical consulting or speaking fees in some specialties.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Physicians must disclose ownership interests in pharmaceutical companies as required by the Physician Payments Sunshine Act to ensure transparency in healthcare.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- ownership-interest
- pharmaceutical-company
- physician-payment
- rheumatology
- abbvie-inc
- investment
Understanding ownership Payments
Ownership and investment interest payments represent dividends, returns, or other financial benefits from physician ownership stakes in pharmaceutical or medical device companies. These relationships represent the most direct form of financial interest and are subject to the strictest reporting requirements under the Sunshine Act.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $308.1K payment for?
This was a ownership payment of $308.1K from AbbVie Inc to Elizabeth Roberts, categorized as "Ownership or Investment Interest". The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Elizabeth Roberts accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Elizabeth Roberts received this $308.1K payment from AbbVie Inc. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Elizabeth Roberts'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 ownership payment?
A ownership payment of $308.1K 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 Rheumatology?
To compare this payment against Rheumatology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Rheumatology 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 Elizabeth Roberts's relationship with AbbVie Inc?
The payment type is 'ownership', indicating a stake in the company rather than direct compensation for services. This $308.1K ownership payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Rheumatology?
The date of payment is in the future (2025-01-10), which might be an administrative placeholder or a future transaction.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
If you are a patient, understand that payments to your doctor can take various forms, including ownership interests, which may influence treatment options.
What else should I know about this ownership payment?
Dr. Roberts' specialty is Rheumatology, a field often associated with treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.