U.S. reports doctors, hospitals brought in $7.52 billion in payments

NEW YORK Doctors and hospitals in the United States received $7.52 billion in payments and ownership and investment interests from the makers of drugs and medical devices in 2015, according to data released by a government health agency.

The Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services said in its open payments report, which is mandated by the “Sunshine Act,” that doctors and hospitals reported $2.6 billion in general payments, $3.89 billion in research payments and $1.02 billion of ownership or investment interests.

This is the third annual report in the program, which has a searchable website reflecting data for more than 600,000 doctors and over 1,100 teaching hospitals. Payments are for items and services such as food and beverage, travel, education, honoraria and research.

The agency said it had determined that 2.26 percent of all financial transactions between pharmaceutical companies and physicians was related to opioid medications.

(Reporting by Caroline Humer; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)