$1,344.30 general Payment -- Merck & Co to Dr. Kevin Hill

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 $1.3K general payment to Kevin Hill, a Endocrinology specialist in City, WI. The payment was associated with Opdivo. The payment of $1344.30 to Dr. Kevin Hill by Merck & Co. for "Education" related to Opdivo is a documented transaction. This payment falls under the "general" payment type, indicating it's not tied to a specific research study or product. The transaction occurred on October 5, 2024, and is associated with NPI 1984802919 in Wisconsin.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

This payment was for educational purposes related to a medication and does not represent a direct payment for your care. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

Payments for general education to endocrinologists are common in the pharmaceutical industry, often for sharing information about treatments.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

This payment is reported under the Sunshine Act, requiring disclosure of financial relationships between drug companies and healthcare providers.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• pharmaceutical-payments
• physician-education
• cms-open-payments
• merck-co
• endocrinology
• opdivo

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 $1.3K payment for?

This was a general payment of $1.3K from Merck & Co to Kevin Hill, categorized as "Education". It was associated with Opdivo. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Kevin Hill accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Kevin Hill received this $1.3K payment from Merck & Co. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Kevin Hill'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 $1.3K 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 Kevin Hill's relationship with Merck & Co?

The payment amount is relatively modest. This $1.3K general payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Endocrinology?

The nature of the payment is "Education", suggesting a focus on knowledge dissemination.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

This payment was for educational purposes related to a medication and does not represent a direct payment for your care.

What else should I know about this general payment?

Opdivo, the associated drug/device, is an immunotherapy treatment.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Kevin Hill's full payment report
• Merck & Co full spending report
• Browse all Endocrinology payments
• Browse all payments in Wisconsin
• Search for other payments