About Our Grades: An Accuracy Caveat
Critical note: This site shows real CMS Open Payments data
(program year 2024) for a top-N slice of the highest-paid U.S. physicians — not the full
multi-million-record dataset. Names and dollar amounts are real and were computed directly from
the official CMS file, but figures here are limited to general payments and may differ
from the complete record (which also includes research payments and ownership interest). Always
verify against the official CMS Open Payments portal.
What the grade measures
Our A–F grade is a single-factor transparency score based solely on the total dollar amount of disclosed industry payments to a provider in our dataset. It is one input into how you might think about your provider — not a comprehensive quality rating.
| Grade | Score | Total Disclosed Payments |
|---|---|---|
| A | 5/5 | $0 (none disclosed) |
| B | 4/5 | $1–$999 |
| C | 3/5 | $1,000–$9,999 |
| D | 2/5 | $10,000–$99,999 |
| F | 1/5 | $100,000+ |
What the grade does NOT measure
- Clinical competence. A physician can have an F grade and be an excellent, caring doctor. Payment data says nothing about skill, empathy, or outcomes.
- Research legitimacy. Large research payments from pharmaceutical companies are reported in Open Payments. A researcher receiving $500,000 to run a clinical trial may be doing critically important work.
- Undisclosed payments. The Sunshine Act requires disclosure, but enforcement is imperfect. A grade of A means no payments appear in the dataset — not that no payments occurred.
- Context. A speaking fee might mean a physician is highly respected in their field and invited to educate peers — or it might reflect a more commercial relationship. Grade alone cannot distinguish these.
How to use this data responsibly
Use the grade as a starting point for a conversation with your provider, not as a verdict. If your provider has a D or F grade, ask them about it — most will be happy to explain the context. If you are uncomfortable with the answer, seeking a second opinion is always your right as a patient.
We believe transparency is inherently valuable. An informed patient is a better partner in their own care, regardless of what any single data point shows.