GAPP Resource
50 FAQs About GAPP
Clear answers to the questions Georgia parents ask most about the Georgia Pediatric Program, grouped so you can jump to what matters today.
Enrolled GAPP Provider
College Park, Georgia
0-21
Ages GAPP covers
01 / Who Qualifies
Eligibility Questions
What is GAPP?
The Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) is a Georgia Medicaid program, administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), that provides in-home skilled nursing and personal care support for medically fragile children ages 0-21. Our complete GAPP guide explains how the program fits together. Think of it as nursing and hands-on help brought to your child where they live, instead of long hospital stays.
Is GAPP a waiver program?
No. GAPP is a Georgia Medicaid program, not a waiver. Families sometimes confuse it with the Katie Beckett pathway, which is a separate route to Medicaid eligibility that many GAPP families use. Keeping the names straight matters, because each one has its own rules, forms and review process.
Can newborns and teenagers both be served?
Yes. Babies coming home from the NICU can be referred, and so can older children and young adults whose needs change over time. Eligibility is about care needs, not about a particular stage of childhood. If you are unsure whether your child’s age or stage fits, ask us and we will look at the details together.
Does my child need Medicaid to use GAPP?
Yes. Your child must be eligible for Georgia Medicaid, either directly or through another pathway such as Katie Beckett. GAPP then adds in-home services on top of that Medicaid eligibility. If your child does not have Medicaid yet, that application usually comes first or runs alongside the GAPP planning.
What is the Katie Beckett pathway?
Katie Beckett, also called TEFRA, lets a child with significant medical needs qualify for Medicaid based on the child’s own income and resources rather than the parents’. Read more on our Katie Beckett page. For many families, this is what opens the door to Medicaid when household income would otherwise be too high.
Which conditions usually qualify?
There is no single list of approved diagnoses. Children who use a tracheostomy, ventilator, or G-tube, or who need frequent seizure care, are common examples, but approval depends on the care your child needs each day, not the name of the condition. Bring a list of your child’s daily treatments to your first call, since that picture is more useful than a diagnosis alone.
What does medical necessity mean for GAPP?
It means your child’s physician documents that your child needs skilled nursing or hands-on personal care at home to stay safe and healthy. That documentation is the core of every GAPP request. Notes that describe what care is needed, how often, and why are far stronger than a short letter.
Can a child with autism qualify?
Some can. A diagnosis alone does not decide it. What matters is whether the physician documents medical or personal care needs that require in-home support. See our autism in-home support page. Families of children with seizures, feeding needs or safety concerns should describe those needs in detail.
Do parents’ incomes affect eligibility?
It depends on how your child qualifies for Medicaid. Through standard Medicaid, household income counts. Through Katie Beckett, the parents’ income is set aside, as explained above. If you are not sure which pathway your child uses, your Medicaid paperwork or caseworker can usually tell you.
How can I check whether my child might qualify?
Start with our short eligibility check or the GAPP eligibility checklist. Neither is a decision, but both help you see where your child stands before you call. Have your child’s Medicaid number and doctor’s contact details ready to make that first conversation faster.
02 / Applying and Approval
Applying and Approval
How do we apply for GAPP?
Families apply through an enrolled GAPP agency rather than directly with the state. Our How It Works page walks through each step from the first call to the first shift. Our team does most of the paperwork, but you remain part of every decision.
What is prior authorization?
Prior authorization is the state’s approval of services before they begin. Every GAPP service requires it, and the request must come from an enrolled GAPP provider. Think of it as a green light from the state that must be in place before the first shift.
Who makes the final decision?
The state of Georgia makes the final decision on eligibility and approved hours. An agency like ours prepares and submits the request, but cannot approve services itself. Ask us anytime where your child’s request stands, and we will share what we know.
What documents will we need?
Expect your child’s Medicaid information, recent medical records, a current care plan, and signed physician orders. Our GAPP required documents list gives the full checklist. Keep copies of everything in one folder, because the same records are often needed again at renewal.
How long does approval take?
Intake usually happens in the first week, and paperwork and physician orders take roughly two more weeks. The state’s review usually takes up to about 30 days after a complete packet. Most families start care about 30 to 60 days after their first call, though no date can be promised. Staying in touch with your child’s doctor during this time helps keep paperwork moving.
What can slow an application down?
Missing physician signatures, outdated records, or gaps in the care plan are the most common delays. Gathering documents early, as described in our guide to preparing medical records, helps. A quick check of signatures and dates before submission can save weeks of back and forth.
What does SLB do during the application?
We handle intake, collect physician orders and records, prepare and submit the prior authorization packet, and track it with the state so you know where things stand. Our goal is to keep you informed so the process feels predictable rather than confusing.
What happens if GAPP is denied?
A denial is not always the end. We review the reason with you, help gather any missing documentation, and support an appeal if one makes sense. Stay calm and keep every letter you receive, since dates and reasons matter for next steps.
Does my child’s doctor have to be involved?
Yes. The doctor’s signed orders support the request, and we coordinate directly with the doctor’s office so you are not carrying every form yourself. Let the office know an agency will be in touch, so requests do not sit unanswered.
Can we apply while our child is still in the hospital?
Yes. Planning can begin before discharge, so nursing is ready sooner. Our NICU to home nursing page explains how hospital teams and agencies coordinate. Ask the discharge planner or social worker to connect with us early in the stay.
03 / Services and Hours
Services and Hours
What services does GAPP provide?
GAPP has two service types: skilled nursing and personal care support. Some children receive one, and some receive both, depending on what the state approves. Your child’s physician orders and the care plan determine which one fits.
What does skilled nursing include?
Licensed RNs and LPNs provide care such as trach and ventilator management, G-tube feeding, medication administration, seizure monitoring, and ongoing health assessments. See our pediatric home care nursing page. Every task follows the physician’s orders and is recorded in your child’s care notes.
What does personal care support include?
Personal care aides help with bathing, feeding, mobility, toileting, and supervision. This hands-on support covers daily living tasks rather than skilled medical procedures. It gives parents time to rest, work, or care for siblings while daily needs are met.
What is the difference between an RN and an LPN?
Both are licensed nurses, but RNs have a broader scope, including certain assessments and care planning. Our article on RN vs LPN home care explains who is usually assigned and why. The care plan and state rules shape which type of nurse is placed with your child.
How many hours will my child get?
The state sets hours based on your child’s documented needs. No agency can promise a number of hours before the state reviews the request. Detailed records of nights, feedings and treatments help the state see the full picture.
Can hours change later?
Yes. Hours are reviewed and re-authorized periodically. If your child’s needs increase or decrease, you can ask us to request an update with new documentation. A hospital stay, new equipment or a new diagnosis are common reasons to ask for a review.
Can we get overnight nursing?
Overnight shifts are possible when approved hours allow. We coordinate schedules, including overnight and respite shifts, around what your family needs most. Overnight care can let parents sleep while a nurse watches breathing, feeding and equipment.
Can the nurse come to school or daycare?
In many cases, yes. Care can often continue at school or daycare, and we help plan the details with your family and the school team. Share school schedules early so we can plan coverage and talk with staff before the first day.
Can care continue when we travel?
Often it can, with planning. Let us know about trips early so we can talk through what is possible for your child’s approved services. Approved services and state rules decide what can happen outside the home or out of state.
Does SLB provide trach and ventilator care?
Yes. Our nurses support children with tracheostomies and ventilators at home. Learn more on our trach and ventilator care page. Ask us how your nurse will learn your child’s specific equipment and emergency plan before care begins.
04 / Costs and Insurance
Costs and Insurance
How much does GAPP cost families?
There is no out-of-pocket cost for approved hours when approved by Georgia Medicaid. Care beyond the approved hours is not part of GAPP. Ask us to explain anything about your child’s coverage that is not clear to you.
Can my child have private insurance and GAPP?
Yes. Children with private insurance can still apply, and Medicaid can act as secondary coverage. Our article on insurance and GAPP eligibility covers common questions. Keep both cards on hand and share them with us during intake.
Who bills Medicaid for the care?
Approved GAPP services are billed to Georgia Medicaid by the enrolled provider, not to the family. If anything about your child’s coverage changes, ask us how it may affect services so you are not left guessing.
Does GAPP pay for medical equipment?
GAPP is about in-home nursing and personal care, not equipment. Equipment and supplies are usually handled through your child’s Medicaid or insurance benefits with the prescribing doctor. Your child’s doctor and equipment supplier can explain how supplies are ordered and replaced.
Is there a waiting list for GAPP?
Timing depends on the state’s review and on nurse availability in your area. We are honest about scheduling during your first call rather than promising a start date. We would rather give you an honest picture than an optimistic guess.
What is the difference between GAPP and private duty nursing?
Private duty nursing describes continuous nursing in the home. GAPP is one Georgia Medicaid program that can fund it for eligible children. Compare options on our private duty nursing page. The words are often used together, which is why families find the terms confusing.
How is GAPP different from other Medicaid programs?
GAPP focuses on in-home nursing and personal care for medically fragile children. Our overview of Georgia Medicaid programs for children explains how it relates to the others. Some children use more than one program, so it helps to understand how they fit together.
Does a parent have to be home during care?
Plan for an adult caregiver to be available and involved. Your nurse supports your child but works alongside the family, and expectations are set in your child’s care plan. Your family knows your child best, and that knowledge helps your nurse every day.
What if our income or insurance changes?
Report changes to Medicaid as required, and tell us too, so we can help you understand any effect on your child’s services. Changes in your child’s Medicaid status can affect services, so staying current protects your child’s care.
Can we switch to a different GAPP agency?
Yes. Families choose their GAPP provider and may switch agencies. Our switching providers page explains the steps so care is not interrupted more than necessary.
05 / Living With Home Nursing
Living With Home Nursing
Do we get to choose our nurse?
Families take part in matching their nurse. We consider your child’s care needs, your schedule, and your family’s preferences. A good match makes a real difference in how comfortable your child feels.
What if our nurse is not a good fit?
Tell us. You can request a different nurse, and we will work to find a better match without blaming you or your child. Honest feedback helps us improve and keeps your child safe and comfortable.
What should we expect in the first month?
The first weeks are about learning routines, settling into the schedule, and building trust. Our article on your first month of GAPP nursing goes into detail. Expect questions and small adjustments as everyone learns your child’s routines.
How should we prepare our home?
Plan a safe, clean space for care, with room for equipment and supplies and a spot for the nurse’s notes. See setting up your home, room by room. Good lighting, outlets near the bed and clear paths for equipment help a lot.
What happens in a medical emergency?
Call 911 first. Your nurse follows your child’s emergency plan, and you should also reach your child’s doctor as directed in that plan. Keep emergency numbers, the care plan and medication lists posted where anyone can find them.
Who do we contact with scheduling questions?
Call our office at 404-905-8332, Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm and weekends 11am to 5pm. You can also use our 24/7 online support through the contact page. Text messages to the same number are also welcome for quick, non urgent questions.
Will the nurse make medical decisions for my child?
No. Nurses follow physician orders and the care plan. Changes to treatment are decided with your child’s doctor, so talk to your child’s doctor about any clinical questions. Keeping the doctor in the loop protects your child and keeps care consistent.
Is our family’s health information private?
Yes. We protect your child’s information under federal privacy law. Read our HIPAA notice for details on how records are used and shared. Only people involved in your child’s care should see clinical details.
Where does SLB provide care?
We serve Fulton, Clayton, DeKalb and Fayette counties, including College Park, East Point, Hapeville, Union City, Fairburn and Atlanta, and families statewide through GAPP. See pediatric home care in Georgia. Ask us if your town is not listed.
Where can parents find more support?
Our parent’s guide to GAPP, family resources, and GAPP blog cover daily routines, respite, and planning for the long term.
Sources And Official Information
- Georgia DCH: Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) overview
- Georgia DFCS Medicaid Policy Manual, section 2933: Georgia Pediatric Program
Last reviewed October 2026. This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. The state of Georgia makes all eligibility and hours decisions.
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