Baylor to return some payments for organ acquisition

Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, may have to repay up to $9.1 million received for organ-acquisition costs in fiscal 1997 through 2001. According to an audit by the HHS' inspector general's office, the hospital claimed $5 million in unallowable costs for organ acquisitions during the five years and was overpaid $4.2 million as a result. The hospital, flagship of Baylor Health Care System, also submitted $13.6 million in unsupported or undocumented costs. The inspector general's office said the area's Medicare fiscal intermediary should seek $9.1 million in repayments unless the hospital can provide a better accounting of costs and should work with Baylor on better training and controls. Baylor disagreed with the audit's finding that medical directors were paid fees in excess of reasonable compensation. In a news release, the system said it had not found intentional wrongdoing and will continue to work with authorities to determine the overpayment and reimburse HHS accordingly. by Mark Taylor