Published June 6, 2025
About This Audit
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services mandated payments to hospitals under the Tobacco Settlement Act to cover uncompensated care. Heritage Valley Beaver was evaluated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, for eligibility based on extraordinary expense claims and uncompensated care days. Ten out of eleven expense claims were substantiated to qualify for the 2026 Tobacco Settlement Payment. Total inpatient and Medicaid (MA) days reported by the facility were also verified. Discrepancies in reported days require adjustments in the PHC4 database and MA-336 Cost Report. Heritage Valley Beaver can choose between two payment calculation methods if eligible under both. Any additional claims must be submitted by October 31, 2025. The engagement results will inform the hospital’s eligibility for a subsidy entitlement from the settlement program. DHS will use verified data to determine payment distribution dates to eligible hospitals in 2026.