Feds probe doctor contracts at Broward Health

Federal agents are reviewing contracts that the North Broward Hospital District has given to more than 27 physicians, looking for violations of federal kickback laws, a federal subpoena shows. Agents from the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services served the subpoena May 17 on the district, also known as Broward Health. The subpeona asks for copies of the contracts and for the district to show the amounts are not excessive. Controversy over the district's physician contracts – a few of which top $1 million a year – dates back to the 1990s. Some outside doctors and medical consultants have contended the tax-assisted health system pays high amounts as a way to attract doctors and their patients to its four hospitals. The district has denied the assertion.