$188.86 meals Payment -- AstraZeneca to Dr. Michelle Scott
AstraZeneca provides $188.86 in meals to a Nephrology physician in Massachusetts.
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $188.86 meals payment from AstraZeneca to Dr. Michelle Scott. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $188.86 |
| Payment Type | meals |
| Payment Nature | Food and Beverage |
| Pharmaceutical Company | AstraZeneca |
| Physician | Dr. Michelle Scott |
| NPI Number | 1096435216 |
| Physician Specialty | Nephrology |
| Location | Worcester, MA |
| Date of Payment | 2024-05-03 |
| Related Drug/Device | Humira |
| 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.
AstraZeneca made a $188.86 meals payment to Michelle Scott, a Nephrology specialist in Worcester, MA. The payment was associated with Humira. The payment of $188.86 from AstraZeneca to Dr. Michelle Scott was for meals, specifically Food and Beverage. This payment occurred on May 3, 2024, and was associated with the drug Humira. The recipient, Dr. Scott, practices Nephrology in Worcester, MA.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
This record indicates a payment for meals from a pharmaceutical company to a healthcare provider. It is important to understand the nature of such interactions and their potential influence on medical decisions. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Payments for meals are generally considered lower value compared to speaker fees or consulting arrangements, and are common across many specialties.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments for meals are reportable under the Sunshine Act if they meet the minimum reporting threshold and are not excluded by law.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- meals
- food-and-beverage
- astrazeneca
- michelle-scott
- nephrology
- humira
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 $188.86 payment for?
This was a meals payment of $188.86 from AstraZeneca to Michelle Scott, categorized as "Food and Beverage". It was associated with Humira. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Michelle Scott accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Michelle Scott received this $188.86 payment from AstraZeneca. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Michelle Scott'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 $188.86 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 Nephrology?
To compare this payment against Nephrology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Nephrology 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 Michelle Scott's relationship with AstraZeneca?
The payment amount is relatively small, suggesting it was for a single meal or a small group. This $188.86 meals payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Nephrology?
The payment type is 'meals', which is a common category in the Open Payments program.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
This record indicates a payment for meals from a pharmaceutical company to a healthcare provider. It is important to understand the nature of such interactions and their potential influence on medical decisions.
What else should I know about this meals payment?
The associated drug, Humira, is a biologic medication used to treat autoimmune diseases.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.