$19,291.57 speaking Payment -- Boehringer Ingelheim to Dr. Elizabeth Roberts
Cardiologist Elizabeth Roberts Earns Over $19,000 for Speaking Engagement with Boehringer Ingelheim
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $19,291.57 speaking payment from Boehringer Ingelheim to Dr. Elizabeth Roberts. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $19,291.57 |
| Payment Type | speaking |
| Payment Nature | Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Boehringer Ingelheim |
| Physician | Dr. Elizabeth Roberts |
| NPI Number | 1392906625 |
| Physician Specialty | Cardiology |
| Location | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Date of Payment | 2024-09-15 |
| 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.
Boehringer Ingelheim made a $19.3K speaking payment to Elizabeth Roberts, a Cardiology specialist in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Elizabeth Roberts received $19,291.57 in compensation from Boehringer Ingelheim on September 15, 2024. The payment was for serving as faculty or a speaker, categorized under 'speaking' payment type. This payment represents a significant financial engagement between the pharmaceutical company and a cardiologist.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
Patients should be aware that their cardiologist may receive compensation from pharmaceutical companies for educational activities like speaking, which could potentially influence treatment recommendations. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Cardiologists often receive speaking fees from pharmaceutical companies as compensation for educating peers on new drugs or therapies, and this amount is within the higher range for such engagements.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
This payment falls under the Sunshine Act's reporting requirements, which mandate disclosure of payments made by drug and device manufacturers to physicians and teaching hospitals.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- speaking-fees
- cardiologist
- boehringer-ingelheim
- physician-compensation
- open-payments
- pharmaceutical-industry
Understanding speaking Payments
Speaking and education payments compensate physicians for presenting at conferences, continuing medical education (CME) events, and promotional speaking engagements. These payments often cover honoraria, preparation time, and travel expenses. Speaking fees are among the highest-value payment categories and have attracted significant attention from researchers studying potential conflicts of interest.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $19.3K payment for?
This was a speaking payment of $19.3K from Boehringer Ingelheim to Elizabeth Roberts, categorized as "Compensation for serving as faculty or as a speaker". The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Elizabeth Roberts accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Elizabeth Roberts received this $19.3K payment from Boehringer Ingelheim. 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 speaking payment?
A speaking payment of $19.3K 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 Cardiology?
To compare this payment against Cardiology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Cardiology 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 Boehringer Ingelheim?
The payment amount of $19,291.57 is substantial for a single speaking engagement. This $19.3K speaking payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Cardiology?
The payment was made by Boehringer Ingelheim, a major pharmaceutical manufacturer.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
Patients should be aware that their cardiologist may receive compensation from pharmaceutical companies for educational activities like speaking, which could potentially influence treatment recommendations.
What else should I know about this speaking payment?
The date of payment is recent, indicating ongoing relationships.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.