$20,835.66 consulting Payment -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Maria Martinez
Oncology Consultant Maria Martinez Receives $20,835.66 Consulting Fee from Regeneron for Ozempic
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $20,835.66 consulting payment from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to Dr. Maria Martinez. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $20,835.66 |
| Payment Type | consulting |
| Payment Nature | Consulting Fee |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals |
| Physician | Dr. Maria Martinez |
| NPI Number | 1491219587 |
| Physician Specialty | Oncology |
| Location | Detroit, MI |
| Date of Payment | 2025-08-19 |
| Related Drug/Device | Ozempic |
| 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 $20.8K consulting payment to Maria Martinez, a Oncology specialist in Detroit, MI. The payment was associated with Ozempic. The payment of $20,835.66 to Dr. Maria Martinez for consulting services is a significant amount for a single engagement. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals made this payment for consulting related to Ozempic, indicating a focus on this specific drug. The payment occurred on August 19, 2025, suggesting a recent or future engagement with the pharmaceutical company.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
If you are a patient, this payment indicates that your doctor may be involved in consulting with pharmaceutical companies about medications like Ozempic, which could influence treatment discussions. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Consulting fees for specialized medical expertise can vary widely, but a payment of this magnitude for a single engagement suggests a substantial advisory role or project within the oncology field.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
This payment falls under the Sunshine Act provisions of the Affordable Care 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
- oncology
- regeneron-pharmaceuticals
- ozempic
- physician-compensation
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 $20.8K payment for?
This was a consulting payment of $20.8K from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to Maria Martinez, categorized as "Consulting Fee". It was associated with Ozempic. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Maria Martinez accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Maria Martinez received this $20.8K payment from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Maria Martinez'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 $20.8K 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 Oncology?
To compare this payment against Oncology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Oncology 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 Maria Martinez's relationship with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals?
The payment type is specifically 'Consulting Fee', differentiating it from other potential payment types like speaker fees or meals. This $20.8K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Oncology?
The drug associated with the payment is Ozempic, a well-known medication for diabetes and weight management.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
If you are a patient, this payment indicates that your doctor may be involved in consulting with pharmaceutical companies about medications like Ozempic, which could influence treatment discussions.
What else should I know about this consulting payment?
Dr. Martinez's specialty is Oncology, which may indicate a role in clinical trials or research involving Ozempic in cancer patients.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.