$14,569.03 consulting Payment -- Sanofi to Dr. Heather Mitchell
Allergy & Immunology Physician Receives $14,569 Consulting Fee from Sanofi for Ocrevus
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $14,569.03 consulting payment from Sanofi to Dr. Heather Mitchell. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $14,569.03 |
| Payment Type | consulting |
| Payment Nature | Consulting Fee |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Sanofi |
| Physician | Dr. Heather Mitchell |
| NPI Number | 1998555395 |
| Physician Specialty | Allergy & Immunology |
| Location | Flint, MI |
| Date of Payment | 2025-04-28 |
| Related Drug/Device | Ocrevus |
| 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.
Sanofi made a $14.6K consulting payment to Heather Mitchell, a Allergy & Immunology specialist in Flint, MI. The payment was associated with Ocrevus. The payment of $14,569.03 to Dr. Heather Mitchell for consulting services from Sanofi is a significant amount for a single payment. The payment is specifically for consulting related to Ocrevus, a drug manufactured by Sanofi. This payment occurred on April 28, 2025, indicating a recent engagement.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
If you are a patient, this payment information may help you understand the financial relationships between healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies, which could be relevant to your treatment decisions. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
A $14,569 consulting fee for a single engagement is on the higher end for many specialties, but may be within norms for specialized consulting related to specific drugs or research in Allergy & Immunology.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
Payments to physicians for consulting services are reportable under the Sunshine Act, requiring disclosure of the amount, nature of payment, and the involved parties.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- physician-compensation
- consulting-fees
- drug-development
- allergy-immunology
- sanofi
- ocrevus
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 $14.6K payment for?
This was a consulting payment of $14.6K from Sanofi to Heather Mitchell, categorized as "Consulting Fee". It was associated with Ocrevus. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Heather Mitchell accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Heather Mitchell received this $14.6K payment from Sanofi. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Heather Mitchell'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 $14.6K 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 Allergy & Immunology?
To compare this payment against Allergy & Immunology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Allergy & Immunology 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 Heather Mitchell's relationship with Sanofi?
The payment is categorized as a 'Consulting Fee' under the 'consulting' payment type. This $14.6K consulting payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Allergy & Immunology?
Dr. Mitchell's specialty is Allergy & Immunology, and the payment is linked to Ocrevus.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
If you are a patient, this payment information may help you understand the financial relationships between healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies, which could be relevant to your treatment decisions.
What else should I know about this consulting payment?
The payment was made by Sanofi, a pharmaceutical company.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.