Program Guide
Georgia Medicaid Programs for Children With Medical Needs
Georgia has several public programs for children with complex health needs, and their names are easy to mix up. This guide explains what each one does, who it is for, and how it connects to nursing care at home.
Enrolled GAPP Provider
College Park, Georgia
0-21
Ages GAPP covers
01 / The big picture
Coverage, Pathways and Services Are Different Things
When parents first look for help, they often hear about Medicaid, PeachCare, Katie Beckett, GAPP and early intervention all at once. It helps to sort them into three groups.
Coverage programs decide whether a child has health insurance through the state. Eligibility pathways are special routes into that coverage for children with disabilities. Service programs provide a specific kind of help, such as nursing at home or therapy for a toddler, once a child qualifies.
A single child may use several of these at the same time. One family might have Medicaid through the Katie Beckett pathway, nursing through GAPP, and a care coordinator through a public health program. Each one has its own rules, and each state agency makes its own decisions.
02 / Program by program
The Main Programs for Children
Below is a short, general overview of each program. Rules and income limits change over time, so always confirm details with the agency that runs the program, using the links in the sources section.
01
Medicaid for Children
Georgia Medicaid, overseen by the Department of Community Health (DCH), is health coverage for children in eligible households. Families apply through one Medical Assistance application, online at Georgia Gateway or by phone, and the state decides which coverage fits the household best.
02
PeachCare for Kids
PeachCare for Kids is Georgia’s Children’s Health Insurance Program. It covers uninsured children in families whose income is too high for regular Medicaid but within program limits. Benefits include primary, preventive, specialist, dental, vision, hospital and mental health care. Some families pay a monthly premium.
03
Katie Beckett (TEFRA)
Katie Beckett is a Medicaid eligibility category for children with disabilities who live at home. It looks at the child’s own income and resources rather than the parents’. It is how many families with private insurance gain Medicaid for their child.
04
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. It is a service program, not a waiver.
05
Babies Can't Wait
Babies Can’t Wait is Georgia’s early intervention program under Part C of the federal IDEA law, run by the Department of Public Health. It serves infants and toddlers from birth to age 3 with developmental delays or certain diagnosed conditions, with therapies and support built around the family.
06
Children's Medical Services
Children’s Medical Services (CMS), part of the Department of Public Health, serves children and youth with special health care needs. Care coordinators help families find specialty care and services that Medicaid, PeachCare or insurance may not cover.
03 / Side by side
How the Programs Compare
This table is a simple summary. It does not list every rule, and it is not a decision about your child.
| Program | Who it is for | What it covers | Link to in-home nursing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicaid | Children in households that meet Georgia income and other rules | Doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, therapies and more | Medicaid eligibility is required before GAPP nursing can be approved |
| PeachCare for Kids | Uninsured children above Medicaid income limits | Comprehensive health coverage, including dental and vision | A separate program from Medicaid; ask DCH how it applies to your child’s nursing needs |
| Katie Beckett (TEFRA) | Children with disabilities at home who need an institutional level of care | Full Medicaid coverage for the child | Can make a child Medicaid eligible, which opens the door to GAPP |
| GAPP | Medically fragile children with Medicaid | Skilled nursing and personal care support at home | This is the in-home nursing program SLB provides |
| Babies Can’t Wait | Infants and toddlers with delays or qualifying conditions | Early intervention therapies and family support | Works alongside nursing; it does not provide shift nursing |
| CMS | Children and youth with special health care needs | Care coordination and help with specialty services | Can help coordinate care; it is not a nursing provider |
Summary based on Georgia DCH and Department of Public Health program information. Confirm current rules with each agency.
What SLB Does and Does Not Provide
SLB In-Home Care is an enrolled GAPP provider. We provide GAPP skilled nursing and personal care support at home, and we prepare and submit the GAPP prior authorization packet for families. We do not run or enroll families in Medicaid, PeachCare, Katie Beckett, Babies Can’t Wait or CMS. For those programs, contact the state agency directly. We are glad to point you to the right office.
04 / Putting it together
How These Programs Often Work Together
Most children who receive GAPP nursing reach it in one of two ways. Some already have Medicaid based on household income. Others first qualify for Medicaid through the Katie Beckett pathway, then their family applies for GAPP through an enrolled agency.
A toddler with a trach might also receive therapy through Babies Can’t Wait, while a nurse supports breathing and feeding at home. An older child might have a CMS care coordinator helping with specialist visits while GAPP covers daily skilled care.
Having private insurance does not stop a child from applying. In many cases Medicaid works as secondary coverage after the private plan.
05 / Planning ahead
Planning for the Move to Adult Services at 21
GAPP ends when a young person reaches age 21, so it helps to plan years ahead. Adult programs have different rules, applications and waiting periods.
01
Learn the Adult Options
The NOW and COMP waivers, run day to day by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), support people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Other adult programs, such as CCSP and SOURCE, serve older adults and adults with disabilities.
02
Apply Early
NOW and COMP applications go through DBHDD. People found eligible may be placed on a planning list before services start.
03
Gather Records
Keep copies of diagnoses, care plans and physician notes. Adult programs ask for documentation of current needs.
04
Talk With Your Child's Care Team
Ask your child’s doctors and nurses which adult services fit best, and how to avoid a gap in care.
Sources And Official Information
- Georgia DCH: Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) overview
- Georgia DFCS Medicaid Policy Manual, section 2933: Georgia Pediatric Program
- Georgia DCH: PeachCare for Kids
- Georgia Medicaid: PeachCare for Kids premiums
- Georgia Department of Public Health: Children’s Medical Services
- Georgia Department of Public Health: Babies Can’t Wait parent guide
- Georgia.gov: Apply to the NOW and COMP waiver programs
- Georgia Medicaid
Last reviewed October 2026. This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. Each state agency makes its own eligibility decisions.
FAQ
Questions About Georgia Children's Programs
Is GAPP a waiver?
No. Katie Beckett is often called a waiver or TEFRA pathway, but GAPP is not a waiver. It is a nursing and personal care benefit that a child uses once Medicaid eligibility is in place.
Can my child have PeachCare and still get GAPP?
GAPP requires Medicaid eligibility, and PeachCare is a separate type of coverage. If your child has PeachCare and needs skilled nursing, ask DCH whether your child may qualify for Medicaid, including through Katie Beckett. Our eligibility check can help you start.
Where do I apply for Medicaid or PeachCare for my child?
You can apply online at Georgia Gateway or call the state’s application line listed on the DCH PeachCare page. If you are unsure which program fits, one application lets the state review your household for each option.
Does SLB help with Katie Beckett applications?
Katie Beckett is handled by the state, not by SLB. We can explain how it connects to GAPP and what records to keep ready. Read our Katie Beckett guide for details.
Can my baby get Babies Can't Wait and home nursing at the same time?
Often, yes. Early intervention focuses on development and therapy, while GAPP nursing covers skilled medical care at home. Talk to your child’s doctor about which services fit your child’s needs.
How do I reach Children's Medical Services?
CMS works through Georgia’s local public health districts. The Department of Public Health CMS page lists how to contact the program in your area.
What does GAPP cost families?
There is no out-of-pocket cost for approved hours when approved by Georgia Medicaid. The state sets hours based on documented need and reviews them periodically.
When should we start planning for adult services?
Start in the early teen years if you can. Applying for adult programs such as NOW and COMP well before 21 helps reduce the risk of a gap after GAPP ends.
What should I do in a medical emergency?
Call 911. The programs on this page support ongoing care and are not emergency services.
Take The First Step
Find Out if GAPP Nursing Fits Your Child
Answer a few questions and our team will help you understand your next steps.