Dollars for Docs Website

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BrownBagger
Posts: 7954
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:56 pm
Location: Central NYS

Dollars for Docs Website

Postby BrownBagger » Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:01 am

I heard about this website on the radio and decided to check up on all my doctors to see how much backsheesh they're getting from the pharma industry. My team at MSKCC got anywhere from $36 (Kemeny) to $42K (Solomon), while my local oncs each raked in about $7K.

What does all this mean?

https://projects.propublica.org/docdollars/query/?utf8=✓&
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.

Hapa
Posts: 388
Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:46 pm

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby Hapa » Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:30 am

My DH just switched Oncologist. I never liked the oncologist. According to the list he has taken $175,000.00. Geez.

Interesting link-thanks bb
DH Stage 3 RC

rp1954
Posts: 1853
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:13 am

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby rp1954 » Mon Jul 06, 2015 11:32 am

The listing provides some slight transparency for potential conflicts of interest between drs and the drug companies, however incomplete it may be. For larger amounts, there can be an element of name and shame, or at least caveat emptor.

A major problem in medicine has been the culture of denial about seduction, misinformation and corruption in manifold forms. Many doctors would not recognize soft money influences at all, or would tell themselves they could see its influence and resist dangerous forms. Time has proven them massively wrong. Some doctors/oncologists have been total prostitutes, as discussed by their peers. Monetary and nonmonetary influences have even started before med school, in high school and college, and were not recognized then or even in a recognizable form.
watchful, active researcher and caregiver for stage IVb/c CC. surgeries 4/10 sigmoid etc & 5/11 para-aortic LN cluster; 8 yrs immuno-Chemo for mCRC; now no chemo
most of 2010 Life Extension recommendations and possibilities + more, some (much) higher, peaking ~2011-12, taper chemo to almost nothing mid 2018, IV C-->2021. Now supplements

megan120
Posts: 127
Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2014 10:54 pm

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby megan120 » Mon Jul 06, 2015 12:16 pm

My radiation onc was 170K!! I am confused, though, because most of it came from Erbitux and promotional speaking. I know he does LOTS of research, but it is weird that most of it came from drugs and not radiation type things. :shock:

My medical onc was also a lot, but I noticed that he had money from endoscopy supplies. I just think it is weird all the way around.
36 year old mama to 3 (8,5,3)
Dx May 2014
Stage IV cc with met to cervix
2/134 pos LN
partial colectomy with temp ileostomy
folfox with avastin 6/14
Oct 14, hyst-mets to uterus, rt ovary implants
1/6/15 6 rounds of folfox
5/4/15 done with 28 tx chemo-rad
7/24/15 completion colectomy, NED!

LB10
Posts: 107
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2015 5:25 pm

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby LB10 » Mon Jul 06, 2015 12:17 pm

My surgeon and oncologist at mskcc are both under a 100$. I find that comforting, and helps to affirm my faith in them. Thanks for sharing the link.
Stage III Rectal cancer
Dx 3/14
4/14-7/14 8 rounds Folfox
8/14-9/14 Radiation/Xeloda
1/15 APR colostomy
46 yo wife & mom

JDinNC
Posts: 771
Joined: Fri Jul 05, 2013 9:49 pm
Location: Murphy, N.C.

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby JDinNC » Mon Jul 06, 2015 12:45 pm

BOY, you can tell I'm in a small town...my oncologist made $8,000.
61 y/o female @ DX...........
T3N0M1
6/13 DX- stage 4
Sigmoid colon cancer.
One met to lung
7/13 colon resection
8/13 lung resection
7/17 four years....NED
8/18 five years....NED
MELANOMA
63 y/o @ DX
6/15 stage 2a
7/15 surgery on arm
7/15 NED
4/16 recurrance
5/16 remove metastasis from back
5/16. Started immunotherapy
8/16 discontinue treatment
7/18...PET scan...NED

annalexandria
Posts: 684
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:46 am
Location: Seattle, WA

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby annalexandria » Mon Jul 06, 2015 1:42 pm

My guy is the lead oncologist of a major HMO in Seattle...got $130. Huh.
Mom, librarian
Dx age 43, Sept. '09, Stage IV Carcinosarcoma of the colon
5 surgeries, 2009-2011:
colon/sm. bowel res., node removal, peritoneum, hysterectomy
FOLFOX/Avastin Feb.'10-Aug '10
Carbo-Taxol Dec. '10-Feb. 2011
NED since Dec. 2011.

User avatar
John72
Posts: 349
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 3:06 am
Location: Los Angeles

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby John72 » Mon Jul 06, 2015 3:57 pm

I knew my oncologist was right for me when he first met with me and said it was my choice, but he recommended that I do Xeloda...he said it wasnt the standard of care yet, but it had performed so well in clinical trials that he recommended going with this pill form of chemo and he thought it shortly would be the standard of care.

Four years later, this very young doctor was the head of oncology at the facility I get treated at.

I looked on the chart you provided. $19.
7/13/10 CC
7/23/10 -3C RC, 7cm,15/33 lymph nodes
8/31/10 5 1/2 weeks of radiation + Xeloda
11/12/10 6 rounds Oxy + Xeloda
3/25/11 Finished chemo
6/15/11 Colostomy reversal followed by infections
9/05/14 Clear CT scan

CM35
Posts: 265
Joined: Tue Dec 03, 2013 1:16 pm

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby CM35 » Mon Jul 06, 2015 5:07 pm

I have never felt either of my oncologists were in this business for the money. This list certainly reinforces that perception...
stg IV 4/2013 @34 - liver, ovary/peritoneum
Lots of chemo, surgery and good luck - still doing well 03/2016...

justin case
Posts: 4269
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:26 am
Location: Katy, Texas

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby justin case » Mon Jul 06, 2015 5:22 pm

I searched one of my doctors, who runs his own pharmacy, and though $765.00, seams like a lot, it was credited to food and beverage, basically business lunch, over 4 years. Every drug supplier from avistan to aloxi, etc.
I still think he padded the bill in house :roll: The oncologist whom I recently divorced, garnered $3,362 :roll: $3,000.00 for consulting and hotel fees in accordance with such consulting, and $362.00 for business lunches.
Honestly, when business lunches are included in this synopsis, I can tell you many businesses report a significant amount, well above $362.00 over 3 years :?
Michael
Ps Eric, Thank you for posting such an interesting link, and I meant no malice in my statements.
michael
7/11 diagnosed Stage 2 colon and rectal cancer
chemo/rad
lar/temp ilio
Reversal & port removal
21 round of chemo Folfox 9tx, 5fu 12 tx
Last treatment July 2012

User avatar
BrownBagger
Posts: 7954
Joined: Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:56 pm
Location: Central NYS

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby BrownBagger » Tue Jul 07, 2015 11:05 am

I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing--doctors accepting payments from pharmaceutical companies. Industry needs the help of experts, and those experts should be paid for sharing their expertise. So when my local onc gets $1,000 for "consulting," I assume he's working with the drug company to make the drug better in some way.

Somewhat off topic/wall--one week out of the year I supervise a team of forklift drivers at an equipment exposition that my employer puts on. I always tell the guys up front that I don't mind them taking tips, but not to take bribes. What's the difference? A bribe is a payment--usually up front--intended to get special treatment for the briber. A tip is a payment--usually delivered after the service is rendered--in appreciation for someone's work or service. Most people--even doctors--can tell the difference. They look similar, but tipping is very classy and bribery is totally uncool.

I think "tipping" the head nurse on a hospital ward (to ensure good care for your loved one) is probably common practice in some parts of the world--though it would be unthinkable here. Why? Because it's obviously a bribe that comes at the expense of other, less prosperous patients on the ward.
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.

KWT
Posts: 3214
Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2013 7:22 pm

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby KWT » Tue Jul 07, 2015 6:04 pm

German luxury cars are very expensive. The docs need to do whatever's necessary to,keep,one in the garage. :twisted:

MSJC
Posts: 158
Joined: Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:31 am
Location: Ashland City, Tn.

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby MSJC » Tue Jul 07, 2015 6:16 pm

kennytwisted wrote:German luxury cars are very expensive. The docs need to do whatever's necessary to,keep,one in the garage. :twisted:

Only one?
Mike, 49 y/o at Dx 1/14 stage 3c
low rectal cancer 7 nodes positive
2/14 5 weeks chemo/rad. 5-fu
4/14 Lar gallbladder removed,
temp ileostomy
5/14 8 rds Folfox
10/14 reversal surgery
5/15 clean colonoscopy
6/15 clean ct scan

justin case
Posts: 4269
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:26 am
Location: Katy, Texas

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby justin case » Tue Jul 07, 2015 7:34 pm

kennytwisted wrote:German luxury cars are very expensive. The docs need to do whatever's necessary to,keep,one in the garage. :twisted:

Hmm, is that why they spent so much time in school. I believe some do care, butt nobody works for nothing. To whom it may concern, my sister is a sort of missionary, with a Masters in nursing , and a PHD, in something; and earns a pretty good living in every country she travels to, obviously with the help of donations:shock: :shock:
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
Bro nut
7/11 diagnosed Stage 2 colon and rectal cancer
chemo/rad
lar/temp ilio
Reversal & port removal
21 round of chemo Folfox 9tx, 5fu 12 tx
Last treatment July 2012

User avatar
CRguy
Posts: 10473
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: Dollars for Docs Website

Postby CRguy » Tue Jul 07, 2015 9:51 pm

OR… in the alternative we could look to the discussion in THIS topic
wherein greed and avarice have disenfranchised and endangered patients who actually did NOT even have cancer !

ergo …. a Dialing for Doc Dollar$ website is a very welcome reference for some folks who may not have as warm and fuzzy a feel for their docs.

If you can see how they are doin'... WHO they are doin' …. and WHY they are doin' it ….you may be able to make an informed decision as to whether or NOT they are DOIN' the best in YOUR interest …or theirs …???????

You cannot serve two masters.

Either your DOC is serving YOUR best interests … OR ... :?: :?: :?:
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far


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