$3,672.97 travel Payment -- Eli Lilly and Company to Dr. Benjamin Cook

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.

Eli Lilly and Company made a $3.7K travel payment to Benjamin Cook, a Neurology specialist in City, WA. The payment was associated with Opdivo. The payment of $3,672.97 to Dr. Benjamin Cook from Eli Lilly and Company was for travel and lodging related to Opdivo. This payment occurred on June 6, 2024, and was made by Eli Lilly and Company, a major pharmaceutical manufacturer. The payment was categorized as 'Travel and Lodging' and was associated with the drug Opdivo.

Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You

This payment covered travel and lodging expenses for a physician, which may be related to educational events or discussions about a specific medication. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.

Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?

Travel and lodging payments to neurologists can vary widely depending on the nature of the educational event or research discussed, but this amount is within a moderate range for such activities.

Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements

Payments made by pharmaceutical companies to physicians for travel and lodging are subject to disclosure under the Sunshine Act to ensure transparency in industry-physician relationships.

Related Topics

This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:

• pharmaceutical-payments
• physician-compensation
• travel-expenses
• neurology
• drug-promotion
• open-payments

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 $3.7K payment for?

This was a travel payment of $3.7K from Eli Lilly and Company to Benjamin Cook, categorized as "Travel and Lodging". It was associated with Opdivo. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).

Does Benjamin Cook accept pharmaceutical money?

Yes, Benjamin Cook received this $3.7K payment from Eli Lilly and Company. Under the Sunshine Act, pharmaceutical companies must report all payments to physicians exceeding $10. You can view Benjamin Cook'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 $3.7K 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 Neurology?

To compare this payment against Neurology averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Neurology 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 Benjamin Cook's relationship with Eli Lilly and Company?

The payment amount is moderate, suggesting it covered significant travel expenses. This $3.7K travel payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.

Is this payment amount typical for Neurology?

The payment was made by Eli Lilly and Company, a known pharmaceutical entity.

What should patients do after learning about this payment?

This payment covered travel and lodging expenses for a physician, which may be related to educational events or discussions about a specific medication.

What else should I know about this travel payment?

The payment is linked to Opdivo, a specific drug, indicating a potential focus on its promotion or education.

Related Reports

• View Dr. Benjamin Cook's full payment report
• Eli Lilly and Company full spending report
• Browse all Neurology payments
• Browse all payments in Washington
• Search for other payments