04/09/2026

You Asked... We Answered

You Asked: Who has the authority to sign the Plan of Correction (POC)? 

We Answered: CMS clarified in QSO-26-03-NH memo that the Plan of Correction must be signed by a facility representative with the authority and responsibility for facility operations. CMS states that when a POC is submitted, it must be signed by a facility representative, who should be the Administrator. However, other facility representatives may include the Director of Nursing, or a corporate representative. The facility representative signing the POC should have management authority and responsibility. Some SAs use the electronic POC (ePOC), which has a place for the written signature, which is generated electronically. Regardless of using a hard copy or electronic copy signature format, a nursing home official with authority and responsibility for operations of the facility should be the one who is submitting their signature on the facility’s allegation of compliance.