$25,851.87 consulting Payment -- Bristol-Myers Squibb to Dr. Jennifer Patel
Rheumatologist Jennifer Patel Receives $25,851 Consulting Fee from Bristol-Myers Squibb for Spinraza
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $25,851.87 consulting payment from Bristol-Myers Squibb to Dr. Jennifer Patel. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $25,851.87 |
| Payment Type | consulting |
| Payment Nature | Consulting Fee |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Bristol-Myers Squibb |
| Physician | Dr. Jennifer Patel |
| NPI Number | 1959497556 |
| Physician Specialty | Rheumatology |
| Location | City, TN |
| Date of Payment | 2025-12-13 |
| Related Drug/Device | Spinraza |
| 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.
Bristol-Myers Squibb made a $25.9K consulting payment to Jennifer Patel, a Rheumatology specialist in City, TN. The payment was associated with Spinraza. Jennifer Patel received a $25,851.87 consulting fee from Bristol-Myers Squibb for services related to Spinraza. The payment was made on December 13, 2025, indicating a recent engagement. This payment falls under the 'consulting' category, suggesting professional advisory services were rendered.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
If you are a patient prescribed Spinraza, understand that your doctor may receive payments for consulting services related to this medication. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Consulting fees for specialists like rheumatologists can vary widely, but this amount is on the higher end for a single payment, potentially reflecting significant advisory work or a long-term contract.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments to physicians for consulting services are subject to disclosure under the Sunshine Act, requiring transparency in financial relationships between healthcare providers and industry.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- physician-compensation
- consulting-fees
- drug-marketing
- rheumatology
- bristol-myers-squibb
- spinraza
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 $25.9K payment for?
This was a consulting payment of $25.9K from Bristol-Myers Squibb to Jennifer Patel, categorized as "Consulting Fee". It was associated with Spinraza. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Jennifer Patel accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Jennifer Patel received this $25.9K payment from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Jennifer Patel'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 $25.9K 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 Jennifer Patel's relationship with Bristol-Myers Squibb?
The payment amount is substantial, exceeding typical per-consultation fees. This $25.9K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Rheumatology?
The specific drug, Spinraza, is a high-cost treatment for spinal muscular atrophy.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
If you are a patient prescribed Spinraza, understand that your doctor may receive payments for consulting services related to this medication.
What else should I know about this consulting payment?
The payment date in late 2025 suggests a forward-looking engagement or reporting lag.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.