$20,128.55 consulting Payment -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Heather Mitchell
Regeneron Pays Rheumatologist $20K for Keytruda Consulting Services
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $20,128.55 consulting payment from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Heather Mitchell. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $20,128.55 |
| Payment Type | consulting |
| Payment Nature | Consulting Fee |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals |
| Physician | Dr. Heather Mitchell |
| NPI Number | 1467426451 |
| Physician Specialty | Rheumatology |
| Location | Sacramento, CA |
| Date of Payment | 2024-05-26 |
| Related Drug/Device | Keytruda |
| Conflict Assessment | Moderate -- Worth Noting |
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.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals made a $20.1K consulting payment to Heather Mitchell, a Rheumatology specialist in Sacramento, CA. The payment was associated with Keytruda. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals paid $20,128.55 to Dr. Heather Mitchell for consulting services on May 26, 2024. The payment was related to Keytruda, a drug often used in oncology and immunology. Dr. Mitchell, a Rheumatologist in Sacramento, CA, received this payment for consulting.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
Patients should be aware that their doctors may receive payments from pharmaceutical companies for consulting, which could influence treatment recommendations. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
While consulting fees are common, a payment of this size for a rheumatologist related to an oncology drug warrants further investigation into the nature of the consultation.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
This payment falls under the Sunshine Act, requiring disclosure of financial relationships between drug manufacturers and healthcare providers.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- consulting-fees
- regeneron-pharmaceuticals
- heather-mitchell
- keytruda
- rheumatology
- cms-open-payments
Understanding consulting Payments
Consulting payments are made when pharmaceutical companies hire physicians as advisors or consultants. This can include serving on advisory boards, providing expert medical opinions on drug development or marketing strategies, and reviewing clinical data. Consulting is one of the most common forms of pharmaceutical payment to physicians and can range from a few hundred dollars for a brief consultation to tens of thousands of dollars for ongoing advisory relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $20.1K payment for?
This was a consulting payment of $20.1K from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to Heather Mitchell, categorized as "Consulting Fee". It was associated with Keytruda. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Heather Mitchell accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Heather Mitchell received this $20.1K payment from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. 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 consulting payment?
A consulting payment of $20.1K may reflect legitimate advisory services the physician provides. 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 Heather Mitchell's relationship with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals?
The payment amount is substantial for a single consulting engagement. This $20.1K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Rheumatology?
The payment date is recent, indicating ongoing engagement.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
Patients should be aware that their doctors may receive payments from pharmaceutical companies for consulting, which could influence treatment recommendations.
What else should I know about this consulting payment?
The drug Keytruda is typically associated with oncology, making its mention in a rheumatology context noteworthy.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.