Pediatric Home Nursing in Georgia

Find in-home nursing care for your medically fragile child. Georgia's GAPP program connects families with licensed nurses who provide skilled care in your home.

Care at Home, Not in the Hospital

Pediatric home nursing lets your child receive skilled medical care while staying home with family.

624
Georgia Providers
583
Offer RN Nursing
315
Accepting Patients
160
Counties Covered
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What is Pediatric Home Nursing?

Pediatric home nursing is skilled nursing care provided in your home for children with complex medical needs. Instead of your child living in a hospital or care facility, licensed nurses come to your home to provide the medical care they need.

Home nursing allows medically fragile children to:

  • Stay with family instead of in institutions
  • Develop normally in a home environment
  • Attend school with nursing support
  • Participate in activities other children enjoy
  • Give parents respite from 24/7 caregiving

In Georgia, most pediatric home nursing is provided through the GAPP (Georgia Pediatric Program), a Medicaid program specifically designed for medically fragile children.

Types of Pediatric Home Care in Georgia

RN Nursing Care

Registered Nurses provide the highest level of skilled care including:

  • • Tracheostomy & ventilator care
  • • IV medications & TPN
  • • Complex assessments
  • • Care plan management
Learn about RN services →

LPN Nursing Care

Licensed Practical Nurses provide skilled care under RN supervision:

  • • G-tube feedings
  • • Medication administration
  • • Trach suctioning
  • • Health monitoring
Learn about LPN services →

Personal Care (PCS)

Non-medical support for daily living activities:

  • • Bathing & hygiene
  • • Feeding assistance
  • • Mobility support
  • • Supervision & safety
Learn about PCS →

Does Your Child Need Pediatric Home Nursing?

Children who benefit from home nursing typically have medical conditions that require skilled nursing care or monitoring. Common conditions include:

Tracheostomy care
Ventilator/BiPAP dependence
G-tube or feeding tube
Complex seizure disorders
Oxygen dependence
IV medications or TPN
Cerebral palsy (medically complex)
Spina bifida
Muscular dystrophy
Traumatic brain injury
Spinal cord injury
Congenital heart conditions
Premature birth complications
Genetic syndromes
Cancer requiring home care

Not Sure If Your Child Qualifies?

If your child has a medical condition requiring regular skilled nursing tasks that you currently do yourself, they may qualify. Use our eligibility screener or contact a GAPP provider directly — they can help determine if services are appropriate.

How to Get Pediatric Home Nursing in Georgia

1

Get Medicaid Coverage

Your child needs Georgia Medicaid to access GAPP services. Options include:

  • Regular Medicaid (income-based eligibility)
  • Katie Beckett waiver (no income limit for disabled children)
  • SSI recipients automatically get Medicaid
2

Get a Physician Order

Your child's doctor must document the medical necessity for home nursing, specifying the type of care needed (RN, LPN, or PCS) and recommended hours.

3

Choose a GAPP Provider

Select a Medicaid-enrolled home health agency. Consider:

  • Do they serve your county?
  • Do they have nurses available for your shifts?
  • Do they have experience with your child's condition?
Search providers in your county
4

Provider Handles Authorization

The agency submits the prior authorization request to Medicaid, coordinates with your doctor, and handles the paperwork. Once approved, services can begin.

5

Care Begins at Home

Nurses are assigned to your child and begin providing care in your home according to the approved care plan.

What is GAPP? Georgia's Pediatric Home Nursing Program

GAPP (Georgia Pediatric Program) is Georgia's Medicaid program that provides in-home nursing and personal care services for medically fragile children. It's sometimes called "private duty nursing" or "PDN."

GAPP allows children who might otherwise need hospital or facility care to receive that care at home. The program covers:

  • Skilled nursing by RNs and LPNs
  • Personal care services for daily living support
  • Flexible hours based on medical necessity
  • Your choice of provider from enrolled agencies

GAPP Eligibility Requirements

Child under 21 years old
Georgia Medicaid coverage
Medical condition requiring skilled nursing
Physician order documenting necessity
Read our complete GAPP approval guide

Find Pediatric Home Nursing Near You

Search our directory of 624 GAPP providers across Georgia. Find agencies in your county that are accepting new patients.

Search by CountyView All GAPP Providers

Pediatric Home Nursing FAQs

What is pediatric home nursing?
Pediatric home nursing is skilled nursing care provided in your home for children with complex medical needs. Licensed nurses (RNs and LPNs) come to your home to provide medical care like tracheostomy management, ventilator care, G-tube feedings, medication administration, and health monitoring — allowing your child to live at home rather than in a hospital or facility.
How do I get pediatric home nursing in Georgia?
In Georgia, pediatric home nursing is primarily provided through the GAPP (Georgia Pediatric Program). To access services: 1) Your child needs Medicaid coverage, 2) Get a physician order documenting medical necessity, 3) Choose a GAPP-enrolled provider agency, 4) The agency handles prior authorization with Medicaid. Our directory helps you find GAPP providers in your area.
Does insurance cover pediatric home nursing in Georgia?
Medicaid covers pediatric home nursing through the GAPP program for children who qualify. Private insurance may also cover home nursing but often with more limitations. Most families use Medicaid (either through income eligibility or the Katie Beckett waiver) to access GAPP services, which provides more comprehensive coverage.
What conditions qualify for pediatric home nursing?
Children who typically qualify include those with tracheostomies, ventilator dependence, G-tube or feeding tube needs, severe seizure disorders, complex medication regimens, oxygen dependence, cerebral palsy with medical complexity, and other conditions requiring skilled nursing assessment and intervention.
What is the difference between pediatric home nursing and home health aide?
Pediatric home nursing involves licensed nurses (RN/LPN) providing skilled medical care like trach suctioning, vent management, and medication administration. Home health aides or Personal Care Services (PCS) provide non-medical help with daily living activities like bathing, feeding, and supervision. Many children need both services.
How many hours of home nursing can my child get?
In Georgia, GAPP nursing hours are determined by medical necessity and approved through prior authorization. Some children receive 8-12 hours daily, while those with higher acuity may receive up to 24-hour care. Your physician documents the medical justification and Medicaid approves the hours.
Can I choose my child's home nursing agency?
Yes. In Georgia, you have the right to choose your GAPP provider. You can research agencies, ask about their experience with your child's condition, and switch providers if needed. Our directory shows all GAPP providers by county so you can compare options in your area.
What is GAPP in Georgia?
GAPP (Georgia Pediatric Program) is the Medicaid program that provides pediatric home nursing and personal care services to medically fragile children in Georgia. It allows children with complex medical needs to receive care at home instead of in hospitals or facilities.
How do I find pediatric home nursing agencies near me in Georgia?
Use our GAPP Provider Directory to search by county. We list all Medicaid-enrolled pediatric home nursing agencies in Georgia, showing which counties they serve, what services they offer (RN, LPN, PCS), and whether they're accepting new patients.
What if I can't find a nurse for my child?
The nursing shortage affects many Georgia families. Tips: contact multiple agencies, be flexible with shift times, ask about agency staffing levels before committing, and consider agencies that serve broader regions. Verified providers in our directory have confirmed current availability.

Related Resources

GAPP Provider Directory

Search all providers by county

Katie Beckett Waiver

Medicaid for disabled children

GAPP Approval Guide

Step-by-step enrollment process

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical or legal advice. For official information about Georgia Medicaid and GAPP services, contact the Georgia Department of Community Health.