$20.91 meals Payment -- Biogen to Dr. Joseph Carter

Biogen provides $20.91 in meals to a Missouri-based Psychiatry physician.

This page provides a detailed analysis of a $20.91 meals payment from Biogen to Dr. Joseph Carter. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.

Payment Details

Field	Value
Amount	$20.91
Payment Type	meals
Payment Nature	Food and Beverage
Pharmaceutical Company	Biogen
Physician	Dr. Joseph Carter
NPI Number	1431025063
Physician Specialty	Psychiatry
Location	City, MO
Date of Payment	2024-08-08
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.

Biogen made a $20.91 meals payment to Joseph Carter, a Psychiatry specialist in City, MO. The payment of $20.91 was for meals provided by Biogen. This payment occurred on August 8, 2024, to Dr. Joseph Carter in Missouri. The payment falls under the 'Food and Beverage' category.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

This record indicates a meal provided by a pharmaceutical company to a healthcare professional. It is important to understand the nature of such interactions. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

Payments for meals to physicians in Psychiatry are common, and this specific amount is likely within typical ranges for such interactions.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

This payment is subject to reporting under the Sunshine Act, requiring disclosure of transfers of value from manufacturers to physicians.

Understanding meals Payments

Food and beverage payments cover meals provided to physicians during pharmaceutical sales representative visits, medical conferences, and educational events. While individual meal payments tend to be small (often under $100), research published in JAMA Internal Medicine has shown that even modest meals can be associated with changes in prescribing behavior. Meal payments are the most common type of pharmaceutical payment to physicians.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment

What was this $20.91 payment for?

This was a meals payment of $20.91 from Biogen to Joseph Carter, categorized as "Food and Beverage". The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Joseph Carter accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Joseph Carter received this $20.91 payment from Biogen. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Joseph Carter'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 meals payment?

A meals payment of $20.91 is generally routine and common in the industry. 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 Psychiatry?

To compare this payment against Psychiatry averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Psychiatry 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 Joseph Carter's relationship with Biogen?

The payment amount is relatively small, suggesting a minor interaction. This $20.91 meals payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Psychiatry?

The payment type is specifically 'meals', indicating a non-cash benefit.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

This record indicates a meal provided by a pharmaceutical company to a healthcare professional. It is important to understand the nature of such interactions.

What else should I know about this meals payment?

The provider's specialty is Psychiatry.

Related Reports

Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.