What the Physician Payment Sunshine Act Means for Your Medical Bills
The Sunshine Act requires drug and device companies to report payments they make to doctors
The Physician Payments Sunshine Act is a federal law that forces pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to publicly report money they give to doctors. This includes payments for consulting, speaking fees, meals, travel, research funding, and gifts. The law does not ban these payments — it makes them transparent so you can see them.
The data goes into a public database called Open Payments, run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). You can search it by doctor's name, hospital, or company. The goal is to let you know if your doctor has financial ties to a drug or device maker, so you can ask questions about whether those ties influence their recommendations.
The law took effect in 2013 and applies to any manufacturer that sells drugs, biologics, or medical devices covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It does not cover cash payments between doctors and patients for office visits or procedures.
Key Takeaways
- You can search the Open Payments database for free to see what payments your doctor received from drug or device makers.
- Payments include consulting fees, speaking honorariums, meals, travel, research grants, and ownership stakes in device companies.
- The law applies only to manufacturers of drugs, biologics, and devices — not to hospitals, insurers, or other healthcare businesses.
- A doctor receiving payment from a company does not mean they are doing anything wrong, but it gives you information to consider when discussing treatment options.
How to search the Open Payments database
Go to openpaymentsdata.cms.gov and use the search tool. You can look up a doctor by name, a hospital by location, or a specific drug or device company. The database shows payments reported in the previous calendar year — so in 2024, you see 2023 payments.
When you search for a doctor, you will see their name, the company that paid them, the type of payment (consulting, speaking, research, travel, meals, or ownership interest), the dollar amount, and the date. Some payments are listed as "general" if the company did not specify what the payment was for.
The database is searchable but not always fast, and some doctors may have no payments listed because they did not receive any, or because they work for a hospital system that does not bill separately. If you cannot find your doctor, that does not mean they have no ties to manufacturers — it may mean the payment was reported under a different name or entity.
What counts as a reportable payment
Manufacturers must report payments over $10 in value. This includes consulting fees, speaking honorariums, meals and entertainment, travel and lodging, research funding, gifts, and ownership stakes in the company. Payments to cover medical education, such as tuition for a conference, also count.
Payments do not include the cost of a drug or device itself, or the cost of a doctor's own treatment. They also do not include payments made directly to hospitals or medical schools as institutional grants, though some of those are tracked separately in a different database called Open Payments Research Transfers.
Manufacturers report these payments to CMS, which publishes them each year. Doctors have a chance to review and dispute the data before it goes public, but most payments are published as reported.
Why this matters when choosing a doctor or treatment
A payment from a drug company does not prove a doctor is biased or recommending unnecessary treatment. Many doctors consult for manufacturers, speak at conferences, or conduct research — these are normal parts of medical practice. But the payment is information you can use in a conversation with your doctor.
If your doctor recommends an expensive drug or device, and you see in Open Payments that they received a large consulting fee from the maker, you can ask: "Why this drug instead of the generic version?" or "Are there other options I should know about?" A doctor with nothing to hide will explain their reasoning. If they seem defensive or evasive, that is a signal to get a second opinion.
The law assumes that transparency helps you make better decisions about your own care. It does not assume the worst of doctors — it gives you a tool to ask informed questions.
Payments that are not in the database
The Open Payments database does not include payments from health insurance companies, hospitals, or pharmacy benefit managers. It covers only drug and device manufacturers. So if your doctor receives consulting fees from an insurer or a hospital system, those will not show up.
The database also does not include payments made before 2013, or payments under $10. Some very small payments — like a meal at a conference — may not be individually listed if they fall below the reporting threshold.
Additionally, not all manufacturers report. Some smaller companies or those that do not sell Medicare-covered products may not be required to report. If you are curious about a payment from a company you do not see in the database, you can contact the company directly or ask your doctor.
How to use this information in a doctor's office
Before an appointment, search Open Payments for your doctor's name. If you find payments, write down the company names and amounts. During your visit, if the doctor recommends a specific drug or device, ask whether they have a financial relationship with the maker. They are required to disclose it if you ask directly.
If they say yes, ask follow-up questions: "Are there generic or less expensive options?" "Why do you prefer this brand?" "Would you recommend the same thing if you had no relationship with the company?" These are fair questions and a good doctor will answer them clearly.
If you feel uncomfortable with the answer, or if the doctor seems unwilling to discuss alternatives, you have the right to seek a second opinion or switch doctors. Your medical care should feel transparent and aligned with your values and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I report a payment I think should be in the database but isn't?
Yes. CMS accepts reports of missing or incorrect payments through the Open Payments website. You can file a report if you believe a manufacturer failed to report a payment or reported incorrect information. CMS investigates and can fine manufacturers for non-compliance.
Does the Sunshine Act apply to my dentist or veterinarian?
The law applies only to physicians and other healthcare providers who prescribe drugs or devices covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP. Some dentists and veterinarians may be included if they prescribe covered medications, but most dental and veterinary practices are not covered. Check Open Payments to see if your provider appears.
If my doctor received a payment, does that mean I should not trust their recommendation?
Not necessarily. Many doctors receive payments for legitimate work like research or education. The payment is information, not proof of bias. Use it as a reason to ask questions and understand your options, not as a reason to automatically distrust your doctor.
How often is the Open Payments database updated?
CMS publishes new payment data once a year, usually in the spring. The data reflects payments made in the previous calendar year. So in spring 2024, you see payments from 2023. There is a lag because manufacturers and doctors have time to review and dispute the data before publication.
What happens if a manufacturer does not report a payment?
CMS can fine manufacturers for failing to report. Penalties can reach thousands of dollars per violation. If you suspect a manufacturer did not report a payment, you can file a report with CMS through the Open Payments website.