Medicaid-funded in-home nursing and personal care for medically fragile children under 21—so your child can receive care at home, at no cost to eligible families.
The Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) is a Medicaid program that pays for in-home skilled nursing and personal care for medically fragile children and young adults under 21.
Instead of long hospital stays or nursing facilities, GAPP allows your child to receive the care they need in the comfort of home, surrounded by family.
Next Step Health Care Services is an approved GAPP provider. We partner with your child’s doctors and Georgia Medicaid to build a safe, customized plan of care and bring skilled nurses and trained caregivers right to your door.
Your child may qualify for GAPP if:
GAPP services are provided in the home. Care can include both skilled nursing and personal care support, depending on your child’s approved plan.
Our licensed nurses can help with:
Personal Care Support staff can assist with:
For some children with behavioral health needs, GAPP may also approve a Behavioral Support Aide to provide structured support in the home, based on medical necessity and GAPP guidelines.
The GAPP process and paperwork can feel overwhelming. Our team handles most of that for you.
When you choose Next Step Health Care Services, we:
We learn about your child’s diagnoses, equipment, and daily care needs
We work with the hospital team and/or your child’s specialists and primary care doctor to gather the right medical information.
Our team completes and submits the required GAPP forms to the state review team.
We respond to questions and track your child’s request until a decision is made.
Once hours are approved, we build a schedule that fits your family and begin in-home care
You don’t have to figure out GAPP alone. We walk with you through every step.
In some situations, GAPP allows a Family Caregiver Option for Personal Care Support services.
This may allow a legally responsible adult who lives with the child (such as a parent or legal guardian) to be hired, trained, and paid by our agency to provide certain personal care services.
If you’re interested in being your child’s paid caregiver, let us know. We’ll review your situation and explain whether this option may be available for your family.
For children approved for GAPP and enrolled in Georgia Medicaid, you are not billed by Next Step Health Care Services for approved GAPP hours.
GAPP is a Medicaid-funded program. Georgia Medicaid pays approved providers directly for services.
If your child doesn’t have Medicaid yet, we can help connect you with the right resources to start that process.
GAPP services are provided in the home. Care can include both skilled nursing and personal care support, depending on your child’s approved plan.
No. Families can apply for GAPP from the hospital or from home through an approved GAPP agency like Next Step. Hospital discharge planners and physician offices can also help start the process.
Once a complete GAPP packet is submitted, the medical review team generally has up to 30 days to review and make a decision. Times can vary, but we keep you updated along the way.
Yes. Parents and legal guardians have freedom of choice of GAPP providers and may request to transfer services, following program rules.
No. GAPP services are provided in the home only. Care in school settings is handled separately through the school system or other programs.
GAPP ends on the child’s 21st birthday, but other adult Medicaid waiver or support programs may be an option. We’ll help you plan for a safe transition before that date.
If your child has complex medical needs, you don’t have to navigate this alone
We learn about your child’s diagnoses, equipment, and daily care needs
We work with the hospital team and/or your child’s specialists and primary care doctor to gather the right medical information.
Our team completes and submits the required GAPP forms to the state review team.
We respond to questions and track your child’s request until a decision is made.
Once hours are approved, we build a schedule that fits your family and begin in-home care
You don’t have to figure out GAPP alone. We walk with you through every step.
If your child has complex medical needs, you don’t have to navigate this alone
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