$172.62 meals Payment -- Boehringer Ingelheim to Dr. Karen Harris

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.

Boehringer Ingelheim made a $172.62 meals payment to Karen Harris, a Internal Medicine specialist in City, TN. The payment was associated with Ocrevus. The payment of $172.62 was for meals provided by Boehringer Ingelheim. The payment was associated with the drug Ocrevus, prescribed for Internal Medicine. This payment occurred on March 31, 2026, in City, TN.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

This record indicates a meal provided by a pharmaceutical company; it does not represent a payment for your medical care. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

Meals provided by pharmaceutical companies to physicians are common, and this amount is generally considered low within the context of physician-pharma interactions.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

Payments for meals and beverages are reportable under the Sunshine Act, provided they meet certain criteria and are not de minimis.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• meals
• food-and-beverage
• boehringer-ingelheim
• internal-medicine
• ocrevus
• physician-payment

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 $172.62 payment for?

This was a meals payment of $172.62 from Boehringer Ingelheim to Karen Harris, categorized as "Food and Beverage". It was associated with Ocrevus. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Karen Harris accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Karen Harris received this $172.62 payment from Boehringer Ingelheim. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Karen Harris'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 $172.62 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 Internal Medicine?

To compare this payment against Internal Medicine averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Internal Medicine 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 Karen Harris's relationship with Boehringer Ingelheim?

The payment amount is relatively small, suggesting a routine meal rather than a significant expenditure. This $172.62 meals payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Internal Medicine?

The payment type is 'meals', which is a common form of interaction between pharma and physicians.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

This record indicates a meal provided by a pharmaceutical company; it does not represent a payment for your medical care.

What else should I know about this meals payment?

The payment date is in the future (2026), which may indicate a scheduled event or data entry lag.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Karen Harris's full payment report
• Boehringer Ingelheim full spending report
• Browse all Internal Medicine payments
• Browse all payments in Tennessee
• Search for other payments