The Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) is a Medicaid-funded program that provides nursing and personal care support to medically fragile children under the age of 21 who require skilled care delivered at home.

A child may qualify for GAPP if they:
Are under 21 years old
Are Medicaid-eligible
Require skilled nursing or personal care due to a complex medical condition
Have a physician’s order confirming the need for in-home care

Important Note: Parental income does not affect eligibility—only the child’s medical needs and Medicaid status are considered.

If parental income exceeds Medicaid’s threshold, we will assist in applying for the Katie Beckett (Deeming) Waiver, which allows your child to qualify for Medicaid services solely based on medical needs.

Contact us at 404.835.3512, and we will assist you with the application process.

Application Steps:

1. Obtain a physician’s order confirming the medical necessity of skilled nursing care.
2. Provide proof of Medicaid eligibility.
3. Submit an application through the Georgia Medicaid program.

Home Assessment & Approval

• A home visit will be conducted to assess the child’s needs and determine the level of care required.
• Approved children will receive Medicaid-covered hours each month.
• Our dedicated team will match these approved hours with exceptional caregivers to ensure the highest quality care.

The number of approved nursing/personal care hours depends on medical necessity and assessment results.
Hours are reassessed every six months.

Do I Need to Pay for Services Under the Waiver?

No out-of-pocket costs for in-home nursing care or personal care services approved by GAPP/Katie Beckett.

Yes, children can attend school while receiving GAPP services.
Nursing care can be provided before or after school, and in some cases, nursing services may be available at school if medically necessar

We will verify your private insurance benefits for Private Duty Nursing (PDN).

If benefits are available, they must be used first before accessing Medicaid benefits (Medicaid is the payer of last resort).
Most private insurance plans provide very limited coverage for PDN services.

If your child’s needs change, your nurse supervisor from your home care agency (like Advanced Care Partners) will adjust the care plan to ensure they continue receiving the right level of support.

Yes! In some cases, family members can become paid caregivers through the waiver program, provided they meet the necessary requirements and training.

Yes, but eligibility must be reassessed, and individuals must be placed on a waitlist before receiving services.

To avoid being placed on COMP’s waiting list, it is recommended to start the application process at least one year before your child’s 21st birthday while they are still receiving GAPP services.

 Advanced Care Partners or your current home care agency providing GAPP services may be able to assist you with the COMP application process and ensure a smooth transition.

A child may qualify if they:
Are under 18 years old
Have a severe physical or developmental disability
Require an institutional level of care (hospital, nursing home)
Do not qualify for Medicaid due to parental income

Key Difference from GAPP: The Katie Beckett Waiver is for children who don’t qualify for Medicaid due to household income but still need medical services.

Same services offered by GAPP, plus additional specialized care to enhance support for the child.

Contact us at 404.835.3512, and we will assist with the application process.

Gather & Submit Medical Documentation

Required Documents:

• Doctor’s letter detailing medical needs
• Hospitalization & therapy records
• Completed Georgia Medicaid application
• Level of Care (LOC) assessment from a physician

The approval process may take several months, but applying through an experienced agency like Advanced Care Partners can expedite the process. Our expertise ensures a smoother and faster approval.

🔹 Annual renewal is required to maintain eligibility.

If your application is denied, you have the right to:
Request reconsideration with additional medical records
File an appeal through Georgia Medicaid

The COMP (Comprehensive Supports Waiver) and NOW (New Options Waiver) are Medicaid programs designed to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing long-term, community-based services to help them live independently or with family support.

NOW Waiver: Designed for individuals who need less intensive services to live independently or with family.
COMP Waiver: Designed for individuals with more intensive needs, often requiring 24-hour care or residential placement.

To qualify for COMP or NOW Waivers, an individual must:

Be a Georgia resident
Have a developmental or intellectual disability diagnosed before the age of 22
Require long-term care support, as determined by an assessment
Meet Medicaid financial eligibility criteria

Medical & Nursing Services

• In-home nursing & skilled care
• Medication management
• Medical equipment & supplies

 Personal & In-Home Support

• Assistance with daily living activities (bathing, dressing, grooming)
• Respite care for family caregivers
• Behavioral therapy

Home & Community-Based Support

• Community living supports (group homes, independent living assistance)
• Day programs & community integration
• Transportation to medical and therapy appointments

 Therapies & Specialized Care

• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Speech therapy
• Behavioral & mental health counseling

 Job & Life Skills Training

• Supported employment
• Job coaching & vocational training
• Life skills development for independent living

Nursing care (for COMP waiver recipients with more intensive needs)
Assistance with daily living activities (bathing, dressing, feeding, hygiene)
Respite care for caregivers
Adult day programs and community living support
Behavioral therapy and specialized medical equipment
Employment and vocational training support
Transportation services

Contact Advanced Care Partners at 404-835-3512, and we will guide you through the application process.

Steps to Apply:

1. Complete the DBHDD intake and evaluation process.
2. If eligible, placement on a waitlist is required due to high demand.
3. Once a waiver slot is available, an individualized service plan will be created.
4. Services are coordinated through an approved provider agency.

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is responsible for the review and approval of COMP/NOW applications.

Yes! In some cases, family members can become paid caregivers through the waiver program, provided they meet necessary requirements and training.

No out-of-pocket costs for most services if you qualify.
Some services may require cost-sharing based on income

If the NOW Waiver does not meet your needs, you may qualify for the COMP Waiver, which provides more extensive services. Your support coordinator can assist with this transition.

Yes, but eligibility is primarily based on medical need and disability status, rather than income.

Medicaid eligibility rules still apply, and the Katie Beckett Waiver allows children with significant disabilities to qualify for Medicaid based solely on their medical needs, bypassing household income restrictions.

Medicaid income limits vary based on family size and program type.
For children, eligibility is often based on household income as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
Check with Georgia Medicaid for the latest guidelines.

SSI can help children with disabilities qualify for Medicaid automatically.
However, Medicaid eligibility may require additional verification depending on the state.

What is the average number of hours approved for GAPP services?

The number of approved hours varies based on the child’s medical needs and Medicaid assessment.
Most children receive between 20 and 84 hours per week, but this can differ.

COMP Waiver may cover 24/7 nursing care for individuals with significant medical needs.
NOW Waiver does not typically cover continuous nursing care.

15. Can the waiver help with housing or residential placement?

COMP Waiver provides residential support.
NOW Waiver is designed for individuals who can live with family or independently with support.

Yes, under the Self-Directed Services option within the NOW and COMP waivers, parents and family members may be hired as caregivers if they meet provider requirements. GAPP also allows parents to be employed by the home care agency and provide care for their loved one.

Yes, families can choose their caregivers they like the most from the provider agency.

What can I do if my COMP/NOW application is denied?

If denied, you can appeal the decision through Georgia Medicaid or DBHDD.
Advocacy organizations can also assist with appeals.