Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP): A Lifesaver for Medically Fragile Children and Their Families
The Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) is a Medicaid program that provides skilled nursing care and personal care support to medically fragile children under the age of 21. GAPP allows eligible children to receive these services in their homes, rather than in a nursing home or other institutional setting.
Benefits of GAPP
GAPP offers many benefits to medically fragile children and their families, including:
- Improved quality of life: GAPP allows children to remain in their homes and communities, where they are surrounded by their loved ones. This can have a significant impact on their quality of life.
- Reduced stress for families: GAPP can provide families with much-needed support so that they can focus on their child’s well-being.
- Reduced costs: GAPP can be a more cost-effective way to provide care to medically fragile children than institutional care because there is no out of pocket cost for the parent.
Services Provided by Greater Living Home Care
Greater Living Home Care is a Medicaid-approved provider of GAPP services. We offer a wide range of services to eligible children, including:
- Skilled nursing care: This can include wound care, medication management, and other medical services.
- Personal care support: This can include bathing, dressing, toileting, and other activities of daily living.
How to Qualify for GAPP
To qualify for GAPP, children must meet the following criteria:
- Be under the age of 21
- Be a resident of Georgia
- Be eligible for Medicaid
- Have a medical condition that requires skilled nursing care and/or personal care support
Common qualifying diagnoses include cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, tracheostomy dependence, ventilator dependence, quadriplegia, traumatic brain injury, and other conditions requiring skilled nursing care.
How to Apply for GAPP
Families can apply for GAPP through a licensed GAPP approved home health agency. Once a child is approved for GAPP, their family will work with a GAPP care coordinator to develop a care plan. The care plan will identify the specific services that the child needs and how often those services will be provided.
The Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) application process typically takes approximately 30 days from submission to approval. There is no waiver required — unlike many Medicaid programs, GAPP does not have a waitlist.
What Does GAPP Cover in Georgia?
The GAPP program Georgia covers a wide range of in-home skilled nursing and personal care services. Through Greater Living Home Care’s GAPP services, eligible children in Georgia can receive tracheostomy care, suctioning, ventilator management, G-tube feedings, medication administration, wound care, respiratory treatments, and personal care support such as bathing and dressing. Services are flexible — ranging from a few hours per day to 24/7 continuous care — based on your child’s medical needs.
All services are fully covered by Georgia Medicaid with no out-of-pocket cost to families. For answers to common questions about coverage and eligibility, visit our FAQ page.
Greater Living Home Care: Your Partner in GAPP Care
Greater Living Home Care is committed to providing high-quality GAPP services to eligible children and their families. We understand that medically fragile children need special care, and we are committed to meeting their unique needs.
We have a team of experienced and qualified professionals who are dedicated to providing the best possible care to our patients. We work closely with families to develop care plans that meet the individual needs of each child.
If you have a child who may be eligible for GAPP, please contact us today. We would be happy to answer your questions and help you start the application process.
