Denial of Payment for New Admissions (DPNA)
Definition: A federal sanction that prohibits Medicare/Medicaid payment for new admissions to a facility that has not achieved substantial compliance within a specified timeframe after being cited for deficiencies.
In Practice
DPNA is automatically imposed if a facility has not achieved substantial compliance within 3 months of being found out of compliance. It continues until the facility achieves compliance or is terminated. This is one of the most financially impactful sanctions and can threaten facility viability.