$615.25 travel Payment -- Allergan (AbbVie) to Dr. Matthew Walker

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.

Allergan (AbbVie) made a $615.25 travel payment to Matthew Walker, a Dermatology specialist in City, WI. The payment was associated with Entresto. The payment of $615.25 to Dr. Matthew Walker from Allergan (AbbVie) was for travel and lodging related to Entresto. This payment occurred on August 6, 2025, and was made by Allergan, now part of AbbVie. The payment was for travel and lodging, a common practice for pharmaceutical companies to facilitate physician education and engagement.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

This payment covered travel and lodging expenses, which may have been related to educational activities or meetings concerning Entresto. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

Travel and lodging payments are common in the pharmaceutical industry to support physician education and engagement with new treatments like Entresto, and this amount appears to be within typical ranges for such purposes.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

Payments for travel and lodging are reportable under the Open Payments program, provided they are made by applicable manufacturers or applicable group purchasing organizations to physicians or teaching hospitals.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• pharmaceutical-payments
• physician-education
• travel-reimbursement
• dermatology
• allergan-abbvie
• entresto

Understanding travel Payments

Travel and lodging payments cover transportation and accommodation expenses for physicians attending conferences, advisory board meetings, or speaking engagements sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. These payments can be substantial, particularly for international travel or multi-day events.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment

What was this $615.25 payment for?

This was a travel payment of $615.25 from Allergan (AbbVie) to Matthew Walker, categorized as "Travel and Lodging". It was associated with Entresto. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Matthew Walker accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Matthew Walker received this $615.25 payment from Allergan (AbbVie). Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Matthew Walker'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 travel payment?

A travel payment of $615.25 should be evaluated in context. 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 Dermatology?

To compare this payment against Dermatology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Dermatology 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 Matthew Walker's relationship with Allergan (AbbVie)?

The payment amount is relatively modest, suggesting it may cover a specific educational event or meeting. This $615.25 travel payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Dermatology?

The payment is categorized as 'Travel and Lodging', indicating it's not a direct payment for services or consulting.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

This payment covered travel and lodging expenses, which may have been related to educational activities or meetings concerning Entresto.

What else should I know about this travel payment?

The specific drug mentioned, Entresto, is a medication for heart failure, which may indicate the purpose of the travel.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Matthew Walker's full payment report
• Allergan (AbbVie) full spending report
• Browse all Dermatology payments
• Browse all payments in Wisconsin
• Search for other payments