Published November 20, 2025
About This Audit
The Tobacco Settlement Program at Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center is under review to assess eligibility for payments related to uncompensated care services. According to the report, for the 2026 payment year, the center had to verify extraordinary expense claims, which are defined as claims exceeding twice the average cost for uninsured patients. Out of six claims assessed for 2024, two qualified as extraordinary expenses. Additionally, discrepancies were found in reported inpatient days and Medical Assistance (MA) days for 2023. The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4) will guide the adjustments required for the Tobacco Settlement Payment. The Department of Human Services (DHS) will use verified data to calculate entitlement payments, allowing facilities with eligibility under two methods to choose their calculation method for the 2026 payments. This is an automated summary. Please rely on the contents included in the released audit report.