How to apply for GAPP in Georgia

Everything you need: the documents, the steps, and how long it actually takes.

This guide is for:

Parents applying for home nursingFamilies with active MedicaidHospital discharge planners

Documents you'll need before you start

Gather these before you call an agency. Having everything ready cuts weeks off the process.

  • Child's active Georgia Medicaid card (not pending)
  • Physician order for skilled nursing (must state: diagnosis, type of care, medical necessity, recommended hours)
  • Child's medical records or recent hospital discharge summary
  • Parent/guardian photo ID
  • Proof of Georgia residency
  • Child's birth certificate or Social Security card

The physician order is where most applications stall. Your GAPP agency can send the correct form to your doctor. Pick your agency first, then get the order. Doctors who haven't done GAPP orders before often miss what Medicaid requires.

The application process, step by step

Six steps from start to first nurse visit. Do them in order.

1

Confirm your child has active Medicaid

Call 1-866-211-0950 or log into your Georgia Gateway account. You need an active Medicaid ID number. Pending doesn't count.

If Medicaid isn't active yet, stop here and finish that first. No agency can submit anything without it.

2

Choose a GAPP agency in your county

This is the agency that will handle your application, assign your nurses, and manage your care. Pick carefully. Ask if they're accepting new patients and have nurses in your area.

You can search GAPP providers in our directory by county and service type. If you're in metro Atlanta, try Fulton, Cobb, or Gwinnett counties.

Tip: Contact two or three agencies. Ask each one how many nurses they have in your county and what their current wait time is. Go with whoever can start fastest.

3

Gather your documents

Use the checklist above. The physician order is the hardest piece. Ask your agency to send the form directly to your doctor's office. They know what Medicaid needs to see on it.

If your child was recently discharged from the hospital, the discharge summary can sometimes double as supporting documentation. Ask your agency what they need.

4

Agency submits prior authorization

You don't do this step. Your agency sends everything to Georgia Medicaid and requests approval for your child's hours. But stay on top of them:

  • Confirm they submitted (get the date)
  • Ask how long they expect review to take
  • Send back any paperwork they request within a day or two
5

Wait for approval (2-6 weeks)

This is the hardest part. Georgia Medicaid reviews the prior authorization and decides how many hours your child qualifies for. Most reviews take 2 to 4 weeks. Some take longer.

If you haven't heard anything after 4 weeks, call your agency. Ask them to check the status. If they can't give you a straight answer, that's a red flag.

6

Intake and care begins

Once approved, your agency schedules an intake visit at your home. They assess your child, build a care plan, and assign nurses. First shift usually starts 1 to 2 weeks after approval.

If nurse availability is limited in your county, it could take longer. Rural areas like south Georgia often have longer waits for staffing. Ask about this upfront when choosing your agency.

Realistic timeline: how long does this take?

Here's what to expect from first phone call to first nurse shift.

Gather documents1-2 weeks
Choose agency + intake1 week
Prior authorization review2-4 weeks
Nurse assignment + scheduling1-2 weeks
Total: start to first nurse visit5-9 weeks

The fastest families do steps 1 through 3 at the same time. Start gathering documents the same week you contact agencies. Don't wait for one step to finish before starting the next.

What to do if your application is denied

Denials happen. They're not the end. Here are the most common reasons and what to do about each one.

Physician order didn't state medical necessity clearly enough

Ask your agency for the denial letter. Have your doctor rewrite the order with more detail about why home nursing is needed. Your agency can tell the doctor exactly what language Medicaid wants to see.

Medicaid wasn't active when the agency submitted

Get your Medicaid active, then have the agency resubmit. This one is straightforward to fix.

Missing documents in the submission

Your agency should tell you what was missing. Get it to them fast and have them resubmit.

Child didn't meet institutional level of care criteria

This means Medicaid decided your child's needs don't require the level of care GAPP provides. You can appeal. Have your doctor write a detailed letter explaining why home nursing is needed instead of outpatient care.

Read the full guide on GAPP denials and appeals →

Common questions about applying for GAPP

Can I apply for GAPP without Medicaid?
No. You need active Georgia Medicaid before any GAPP agency can start your application. If you don't have Medicaid yet, apply through Georgia Gateway (gateway.ga.gov) or your local DFCS office first.
Do I apply to Medicaid directly for GAPP?
No. You apply through a GAPP agency. The agency handles the prior authorization request to Medicaid on your behalf. Your job is to pick the agency and get them the documents they need.
How long does GAPP approval take?
Plan for 5 to 9 weeks from your first phone call to the first nurse visit. The biggest variable is prior authorization review, which takes 2 to 4 weeks. You can speed things up by having your documents ready before you contact an agency.
What if no agencies in my county are accepting patients?
Contact agencies in neighboring counties. Many GAPP providers serve multiple counties. You can also search our directory filtered by your county to see who covers your area.
Can I switch agencies after I apply?
Yes, but it may restart parts of the process. If your current agency isn't returning calls or moving things forward, find a new one. A slow agency during intake usually means a slow agency during care.
Does GAPP cost anything out of pocket?
No. GAPP is a Medicaid program. If your child has active Georgia Medicaid, the services are covered. You should never be billed for GAPP nursing or personal care hours.

Related resources

GAPP approval guide

The full approval process from eligibility to first nurse visit.

GAPP services explained

RN vs LPN vs PCS: what each service type covers.

Why applications get denied

Common denial reasons and how to appeal.

Provider directory

Search GAPP agencies by county and service type.

Find a GAPP agency to start your application

315 of 624 providers in our directory are accepting new patients right now.

Search providersCheck eligibility first

This directory is not affiliated with the State of Georgia or the official GAPP program. We help families find providers but are not a state agency.