Long term care for children in Georgia

When your child needs medical care that lasts months or years, not just a hospital visit, here is what Georgia actually offers and how to get it.

What long term care means for kids

When adults talk about "long term care," they usually mean nursing homes. For children, it means something different. It means getting ongoing medical care at home so your kid can grow up in their own bedroom instead of a hospital room.

In Georgia, most long-term pediatric care goes through the Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP). GAPP sends nurses and personal care aides to your home, covered by Medicaid. Your child gets the medical attention they need. You get to keep your family together.

The rest of this page breaks down every option Georgia has, who qualifies, and what to do first.

GAPP home nursing (the main option)

GAPP is the primary long-term care program for children in Georgia. It covers three types of in-home care:

RN nursing

For children with the most complex needs. Trach care, ventilator management, IV medications, and clinical assessments. More about RN services.

LPN services

Medication administration, G-tube feedings, wound care, and vital sign monitoring under RN supervision. More about LPN services.

Personal care services (PCS)

Help with bathing, feeding, mobility, and daily living. A family member can sometimes be the paid PCS aide. More about PCS or how family members get paid.

Who qualifies: Children under 21 with active Georgia Medicaid and a physician-documented need for skilled nursing at home. Not sure? Take our 2-minute eligibility screener.

Getting Medicaid coverage for long term care

GAPP is paid by Medicaid. If your child already has Georgia Medicaid, you can go straight to finding a provider. If not, here are the paths in:

Regular Georgia Medicaid

Income-based. Apply through Georgia Gateway (gateway.ga.gov). Takes 30-45 days. If your family income qualifies, this is the fastest path.

Katie Beckett / TEFRA

No income limit. Qualifies your child based on their disability and medical needs alone. Takes 45-90 days. Full Katie Beckett guide.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

If approved for SSI, your child automatically gets Medicaid in Georgia. Apply through Social Security (1-800-772-1213). This path can take several months.

Many families use Katie Beckett because their household income disqualifies them from regular Medicaid, but their child clearly needs nursing care. The Medicaid requirements page walks through each pathway in detail.

Other long-term services your child can get

GAPP handles nursing. But long-term care for children usually involves more than one service. Once your child has Medicaid, they also get:

Therapy services

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Covered by Medicaid with a physician referral.

Durable medical equipment

Wheelchairs, feeding pumps, oxygen, suction machines, hospital beds. Medicaid covers equipment your child uses daily.

Prescriptions

Medications including specialty drugs that private insurance often limits.

Respite care

Backup nursing hours so you can take a break. Built into GAPP.

Medical transportation

Non-emergency rides to and from appointments. Call your Medicaid plan to schedule.

Dental and vision

Pediatric dental and vision care, including sedation dentistry for children who need it.

For respite care specifically, see our respite care guide. It is one of the most underused GAPP benefits.

What long-term GAPP care actually looks like

Once you are set up with a GAPP provider, here is the routine: nurses come to your home on a schedule you agree on with the agency. They follow your child's care plan. You handle the parenting. They handle the medical tasks.

Every 6-12 months, your authorization gets reviewed. Your agency submits updated documentation. Your doctor confirms your child still needs the same level of care (or more, or less). Medicaid renews the authorization. The whole thing repeats.

If your agency is not working out, you can switch at any time without losing services. Here is how to switch providers.

If your child's needs change, your doctor updates the orders and your agency submits a modified authorization. You do not start from scratch.

Long term care FAQs

What counts as long term care for a child in Georgia?
Any ongoing medical care your child needs for months or years. This includes in-home nursing through GAPP, personal care aides, therapy services, and medical equipment. Most families with medically fragile children use GAPP as their primary long-term care program.
Is long term care for children covered by Medicaid in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia Medicaid covers GAPP nursing, personal care services, therapy, medical equipment, and prescriptions at no cost to families. If your child doesn't qualify for regular Medicaid due to family income, the Katie Beckett waiver can qualify them based on medical needs alone.
How many hours of in-home nursing can my child get long term?
It depends on your child's medical needs. Some children get 8-12 hours a day. Others with more complex conditions get 24/7 nursing coverage. Hours are authorized by Medicaid based on your physician's order and reviewed every 6-12 months.
Can my child stay on GAPP long term or does it expire?
GAPP coverage continues as long as your child meets eligibility: under 21, active Georgia Medicaid, and documented medical necessity. Your authorization gets renewed periodically (usually every 6-12 months), but there is no lifetime limit on GAPP services.
What happens when my child turns 21 and ages out of GAPP?
At 21, children transition out of GAPP. Georgia has adult waiver programs like NOW (New Options Waiver) and COMP (Comprehensive Supports Waiver) for adults with disabilities. Start the transition planning with your care coordinator at least a year before your child turns 21.
Do I have to use an institution or can my child stay home?
Your child can stay home. That's the whole point of GAPP. The program exists specifically to keep children out of hospitals and facilities by bringing nursing care to your house. Home-based care is almost always less expensive and better for children.

Related resources

Georgia Pediatric Program

Full guide to GAPP eligibility and services.

Katie Beckett waiver

Medicaid for kids regardless of family income.

Pediatric home nursing

How in-home RN and LPN nursing works.

GAPP services explained

What RN, LPN, and PCS nurses do day-to-day.

GAPP respite care

How to get backup nursing hours.

Find a GAPP provider

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Check if your child qualifies for GAPP, then find a provider in your county.

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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.