What kinds of payments are reported?

Manufacturers must report payments and transfers of value, regardless of if they are requested, to a physician or teaching hospital. Payments for research, including grants, must be reported. Other reportable payments include travel expenses, meals, gifts, entertainment, speaker’s honoraria, educational materials (i.e. textbooks and journal reprints etc.), participation in paid advisory boards and manuscript writing.

The name, date, NPI, state license number, specialty and address of the entity or individual receiving the payment must be reported by the manufacturer along with the amount of, reason for and type of payment (such as cash, stock, in-kind items etc.).

The Sunshine Act applies only to physicians licensed in the U.S. and excludes medical students, residents, office and support staff, nurses, advance practice nurses and physician assistants among others.