The steps
Talk to your child's doctor
Tell the doctor you want in-home nursing or personal care through GAPP. Every GAPP service needs a physician's order, and the agency will ask the doctor's office for the order and recent records. If your child is in the hospital, the discharge planner can start this with you.
Get Georgia Medicaid in place
Already have Medicaid? Move to step 3. If not:
- If your household income may qualify, apply for regular Medicaid on Georgia Gateway.
- If your income is too high and your child is under 19, apply for Katie Beckett. Parents' income isn't counted.
Send us a message
Fill out the short form with your child's age, diagnosis and where you live, and we'll email you back with what comes next. Need help right away? Call (470) 862-2314.
The agency handles prior authorization
A nurse from the agency assesses your child, collects the doctor's order and records, and submits the request to Georgia's medical review team (Alliant Health Solutions). Review can take up to 30 days once the packet is complete. The approval sets your hours and how long they last.
Reach out anytime
Once care starts, approvals have an end date and Medicaid has to stay active, including any Katie Beckett renewal. If something changes or a letter arrives you don't understand, send us a message. If you need help, call (470) 862-2314.
What to have ready
- Medicaid ID number, or your Katie Beckett application status
- Your child's diagnoses and the doctor's contact information
- Recent hospital discharge summary, if there is one
- Current medication list and equipment list (trach, ventilator, feeding pump, oxygen)
- Therapy notes, IFSP or IEP, if your child has them
- A plain description of a typical day of care and what happens overnight
- Any private insurance cards
After approval
Read your approval letter closely. It lists the hours and the dates they cover. If you're denied or approved for fewer hours than your child needs, the letter explains how to appeal and the deadline. Don't wait; deadlines are short.
Questions
Do I submit the GAPP prior authorization myself?
No. The nursing agency submits the GAPP request for medical review. Your job is to get Medicaid in place and help collect records. Send us a message and we'll explain what's needed.
Can a hospital start GAPP before discharge?
Yes. If your child is in the hospital, ask the discharge planner or social worker. They can help line up care for the trip home, and you can send us a message to talk it through.
Who can I talk to about my child's situation?
Send us a message with your child's age, diagnosis and where you live, and we'll email you back with the next step. If you need help, call (470) 862-2314.