title: Industry Payments to Obstetrician-Gynecologists: An Analysis of 2014 Open Payments Data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate publically available, individually identified data regarding industry payments made to obstetrician-gynecologists (ob-gyns) during 2014 posted on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Open Payments website for the purposes of encouraging ob-gyns to partake in disclosure of their fiscal relationships to patients and to take an active role in maintaining accuracy of their payment data.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, we reviewed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Open Payments website for all 2014 nonresearch payments to ob-gyns. We compared payments to ob-gyns with payments to those in other specialties as well as subspecialties within the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Univariate statistical analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Payments to ob-gyns totaled $60,004,472 (3.3% of the total value transferred in 2014) and went to 29,783 physician recipients. Fifty percent of these payments were for royalties and licensing. Obstetrics and gynecology ranked seventh in total number of payments made to a single specialty (n=311,485), and 20th of 35 specialties for highest median payment ($140, interquartile range $50-347). Medtronic USA, Inc. was the leading payer to ob-gyns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ob-gyns are listed as having received substantial payments from industry in 2014. Because this information is publically available, we suggest physicians become familiar with payment data and the correction process, keep independent records, and register for updates to most effectively manage perceived, or real, conflicts of interest.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Reproductive Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California; and the University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida.
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Tierney
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saenz
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McHale
authors.forename: Kristy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Plaxe
mesh_terms: D016265:Conflict of Interest; D016208:Databases, Factual; D018588:Fee-for-Service Plans / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000191:economics*; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics*; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics*; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000191:economics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States