You apply for the Georgia Pediatric Program through a nursing agency that participates in the program, not by sending a form to the state. Caregivers of a medically fragile child start with a participating agency, and the agency submits the request for a medical necessity determination.
That one fact saves families weeks. A great many parents spend them searching the Department of Community Health site for an application form that does not exist in the form they are expecting.
Step 1. Georgia Medicaid
GAPP is a Medicaid program, so the child needs Georgia Medicaid. That decision is not made by GAPP or by an agency. Medicaid eligibility is determined by the Division of Family and Children Services, which sits within the Department of Human Services.
If your child already has full Medicaid, this step is done. If not, it is the first thing to sort out, because GAPP cannot be approved while a Medicaid application is still pending. Children on PeachCare for Kids are not eligible for GAPP. If your family’s income is too high for other categories, ask DFCS about Katie Beckett, which covers children 18 and under.
Step 2. Your child’s doctor
GAPP runs on medical necessity, and that is established through clinical documentation. The treating physician documents your child’s needs and the need for care in the home.
Practically, this is a conversation worth having deliberately rather than in the last two minutes of an appointment. The clearer the documentation of what your child needs day to day, the smoother the review.
Step 3. Choose a participating agency
This is the step that is not obvious. Caregivers interested in GAPP apply via a nursing agency participating in the program. The agency is your route in.
Questions worth asking any agency before you commit (there are more in our guide to choosing a GAPP provider):
- Do you serve my county, and do you have staff there now?
- Do you provide both skilled nursing and personal care support?
- Can a family caregiver be the person providing personal care support?
- Who will I actually talk to when something changes at 7pm on a Friday?
Step 4. The review
The agency submits the request to Alliant Health Solutions, which reviews GAPP requests for the Department of Community Health. This is where the clinical picture is assessed: whether skilled nursing, personal support or a behavioral support aide is medically necessary, given your child’s condition, equipment and the level and frequency of care they need. Alliant has 30 days to review a complete request.
Approval also sets the amount of care, as a monthly maximum of hours. Approvals last up to six months and are renewed, so the hours are reviewed over time. The full detail is in our GAPP guide.
Step 5. Care begins
Once care is approved, it must begin within 60 days. Scheduling begins and care starts in the home. For families choosing a paid family caregiver for personal support, this is the point where hiring, background checks and training are completed.
What to have ready
| Before you call | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Your child’s Medicaid status | Decides whether step 1 is already done |
| Current diagnoses | The program looks across body systems, so the full picture matters |
| Equipment and daily routines | Feeding tubes, trach care, oxygen, seizure care, mobility needs |
| Your treating physician’s details | The documentation comes from them |
| Your county | Determines who can actually staff the care |
In short
- Medicaid first, through the Division of Family and Children Services.
- Documentation from your child’s treating physician.
- Apply through a participating agency, not to the state.
- Alliant’s medical review sets both approval and hours, within 30 days of a complete request.
If you would like to start, tell us about your child and we will walk you through what is involved. If something you have read here does not match what you have been told elsewhere, tell us that too. It is usually worth untangling.
Common questions
How do I apply for GAPP in Georgia?
Caregivers apply through a nursing agency that participates in the Georgia Pediatric Program. The agency submits the request for a medical necessity determination. There is no application a family sends to the state directly.
Do I need a doctor's order to apply for GAPP?
Yes. GAPP care is based on medical necessity, and the treating physician documents the need for care in the home. The agency works from that documentation.
Does my child need Medicaid before applying for GAPP?
Yes. GAPP is a Georgia Medicaid program. Medicaid eligibility is determined by the Division of Family and Children Services, part of the Department of Human Services.
How long does GAPP approval take?
Alliant Health Solutions, which reviews GAPP requests for the state, has 30 days to review a complete request. A request that is still incomplete after 30 days is denied, so complete paperwork matters. If your child is approved, care must begin within 60 days.
Sources
- Georgia Department of Community Health, Part II Policies and Procedures for Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) In-Home Nursing, July 1, 2025 edition, published on GAMMIS under Provider Manuals.
- Georgia Department of Community Health, Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) provider presentation, June 2023, published on the Georgia Medicaid Management Information System portal.
- Georgia Medicaid, Waiver Programs.
- Georgia Department of Community Health, Community Based Services.
Please read. This article is general information about a public program, not medical, legal or financial advice, and it is not a decision about your child. Program rules change. Confirm anything that matters with the Georgia Department of Community Health or with a GAPP participating agency before you rely on it.