$1,057.04 general Payment -- Johnson & Johnson to Dr. Heather Mitchell
General Surgery Physician Receives $1,057.04 Payment from Johnson & Johnson
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $1,057.04 general payment from Johnson & Johnson to Dr. Heather Mitchell. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $1,057.04 |
| Payment Type | general |
| Payment Nature | Compensation for services other than consulting |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Johnson & Johnson |
| Physician | Dr. Heather Mitchell |
| NPI Number | 1859438475 |
| Physician Specialty | General Surgery |
| Location | City, MO |
| Date of Payment | 2026-03-18 |
| 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.
Johnson & Johnson made a $1.1K general payment to Heather Mitchell, a General Surgery specialist in City, MO. Dr. Heather Mitchell received a payment of $1,057.04 from Johnson & Johnson on March 18, 2026. The payment was categorized as 'general' and for 'Compensation for services other than consulting'. This payment falls under the Open Payments program, which tracks financial relationships between the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare providers.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
This payment information is for transparency and does not necessarily indicate any wrongdoing. It reflects a financial transaction between a healthcare provider and a pharmaceutical company. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Payments for services other than consulting can vary widely across specialties. Without specific benchmarks for General Surgery, it's difficult to definitively assess if this amount is typical.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
This payment is reported under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, part of the Affordable Care Act, requiring disclosure of payments made by manufacturers of drugs, devices, and medical supplies to physicians and teaching hospitals.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- cms-open-payments
- pharmaceutical-industry
- physician-payments
- johnson-and-johnson
- general-surgery
- payment-transparency
Understanding general Payments
general payments are one of several categories of financial transfers from pharmaceutical and medical device companies to physicians that must be reported under the Sunshine Act. Understanding the type and context of a payment is important for evaluating its significance. Not all payments are equal -- a research grant has very different implications than a promotional speaking fee.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $1.1K payment for?
This was a general payment of $1.1K from Johnson & Johnson to Heather Mitchell, categorized as "Compensation for services other than consulting". The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Heather Mitchell accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Heather Mitchell received this $1.1K payment from Johnson & Johnson. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Heather Mitchell'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 general payment?
A general payment of $1.1K 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 General Surgery?
To compare this payment against General Surgery averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. General Surgery 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 Heather Mitchell's relationship with Johnson & Johnson?
The payment amount is relatively modest. This $1.1K general payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for General Surgery?
The payment type is 'general', indicating it's not tied to specific research or consulting.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
This payment information is for transparency and does not necessarily indicate any wrongdoing. It reflects a financial transaction between a healthcare provider and a pharmaceutical company.
What else should I know about this general payment?
The payment was made for services rendered, not for consulting or advisory roles.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.