$75,602.01 research Payment -- Boehringer Ingelheim to Dr. Heather Mitchell
Boehringer Ingelheim invests over $75K in Farxiga research with Internal Medicine physician
This page provides a detailed analysis of a $75,602.01 research payment from Boehringer Ingelheim to Dr. Heather Mitchell. Data is from the CMS Open Payments (Sunshine Act) database.
Payment Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Amount | $75,602.01 |
| Payment Type | research |
| Payment Nature | Research |
| Pharmaceutical Company | Boehringer Ingelheim |
| Physician | Dr. Heather Mitchell |
| NPI Number | 1483065528 |
| Physician Specialty | Internal Medicine |
| Location | City, VA |
| Date of Payment | 2026-02-21 |
| Related Drug/Device | Farxiga |
| 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.
Boehringer Ingelheim made a $75.6K research payment to Heather Mitchell, a Internal Medicine specialist in City, VA. The payment was associated with Farxiga. Boehringer Ingelheim paid $75,602.01 to Dr. Heather Mitchell for research related to Farxiga. The payment was made on February 21, 2026, indicating a future research activity. This payment falls under the 'research' category, suggesting support for clinical trials or studies.
Patient Guidance: What This Payment Means for You
This payment supports research that may lead to new medical knowledge or treatments for conditions like diabetes or heart failure. Always discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and ask about alternatives.
Payment Context: Is This Amount Normal?
Payments for research are common in Internal Medicine, but the amount of $75,602.01 is notable and warrants review for alignment with typical research study budgets.
Regulatory Context: Sunshine Act Requirements
This payment is subject to reporting under the Sunshine Act, requiring disclosure of financial relationships between drug manufacturers and healthcare providers.
Related Topics
This payment is related to the following healthcare transparency topics:
- pharmaceutical-payments
- research-funding
- drug-development
- internal-medicine
- boehringer-ingelheim
- farxiga
Understanding research Payments
Research payments fund clinical trials, research studies, and investigator-initiated research conducted by physicians. These payments are often the largest category and represent a critical part of the drug development process. Research funding is generally considered the most legitimate form of pharmaceutical payment, though potential conflicts of interest can still arise when researchers have financial relationships with the companies whose products they study.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Payment
What was this $75.6K payment for?
This was a research payment of $75.6K from Boehringer Ingelheim to Heather Mitchell, categorized as "Research". It was associated with Farxiga. The payment was reported under the Sunshine Act (CMS Open Payments).
Does Heather Mitchell accept pharmaceutical money?
Yes, Heather Mitchell received this $75.6K payment from Boehringer Ingelheim. 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 research payment?
A research payment of $75.6K typically funds clinical studies and is considered standard academic activity. 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 Internal Medicine?
To compare this payment against Internal Medicine averages, check the full specialty breakdown on CMS Open Payments. Payment amounts vary widely by specialty and type. Internal Medicine 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 Boehringer Ingelheim?
The payment amount is substantial, suggesting a significant research project. This $75.6K research payment is part of the transparency data reported under the Sunshine Act.
Is this payment amount typical for Internal Medicine?
The payment date is in the future, implying ongoing or planned research.
What should patients do after learning about this payment?
This payment supports research that may lead to new medical knowledge or treatments for conditions like diabetes or heart failure.
What else should I know about this research payment?
Dr. Mitchell's specialty is Internal Medicine, a broad field relevant to many drug applications.
Related Reports
Data from CMS Open Payments. Payment does not imply wrongdoing. Consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.