Yes! Two approved Georgia Pediatric Program (GAPP) agencies can share a child’s authorized skilled nursing hours in Georgia, subject to program requirements. This option can help families arrange consistent in-home nursing care when one agency cannot cover every approved shift.
For parents of medically fragile children, finding reliable nursing coverage is essential. Fortunately, sharing nursing hours may allow your family to keep working with your current provider while another approved agency helps cover the remaining shifts.
At Integrity Home Care and Nursing, we understand how important dependable care and clear communication are for families. Learning about shared GAPP nursing hours can help you explore care arrangements that better meet your child’s needs.
How Does Sharing GAPP Nursing Hours Work?
When a child qualifies for GAPP services, Georgia Medicaid authorizes services based on documented medical necessity and the applicable program requirements. If one agency cannot provide all the authorized skilled nursing hours, a family may request to share those hours with another approved GAPP agency.
The arrangement requires coordination between the agencies and the child’s parent or legal guardian.
Generally, the process includes:
- Reviewing the approved nursing hours: Determine how many hours are authorized and which shifts need additional coverage.
- Choosing a second GAPP agency: Find an approved provider that can meet your child’s nursing needs and schedule.
- Coordinating the required paperwork: Both agencies complete their respective authorization documentation and follow the applicable GAPP shared-hours procedures.
- Confirming the schedule: Establish which agency will cover each shift to support continuity of care.
- Coordinating care documentation: Share appropriate records and relevant care information to help ensure that both providers follow the child’s physician-directed plan of treatment.
Families should confirm current forms, authorization requirements, and implementation dates with their providers before the shared arrangement begins.
What Types of GAPP Services Can Be Shared?
It is important to understand the difference between skilled nursing and personal care support services.
Skilled nursing hours may be shared between two approved GAPP agencies. However, GAPP policy does not permit personal care support hours to be divided between two agencies under the shared-hours arrangement.
For example, if your child needs skilled nursing care involving a feeding tube, respiratory support, seizure monitoring, or other medically necessary nursing interventions, two approved agencies may coordinate coverage of the authorized nursing hours, as appropriate to the child’s care plan.
Personal care support, such as assistance with bathing, dressing, and other daily activities, follows different sharing rules.
Your child’s approved services and medical needs will determine which arrangements may be appropriate.
Will Sharing Nursing Hours Reduce My Child’s Approved Hours?
Sharing nursing hours is intended to coordinate which agencies provide the authorized care, rather than automatically increase or decrease the total approved hours.
For example, if your child has 160 authorized skilled nursing hours per month, the agencies might arrange for one provider to cover 100 hours and another to cover 60 hours. These figures are illustrative only; actual scheduling must follow the child’s authorization and applicable GAPP requirements.
A second agency does not automatically provide additional hours simply because it joins the care arrangement. Any request to increase authorized services must follow the appropriate review and approval process.
Can Both GAPP Agencies Provide Care at the Same Time?
Generally, the agencies should schedule their services at different times to avoid overlapping nursing hours and duplicate billing. Exceptions may apply when concurrent services are specifically supported by medical necessity and meet program requirements.
Both providers should coordinate their schedules, responsibilities, and documentation. This helps avoid confusion and supports a safer, more consistent care experience for your child.
What Should Parents Consider Before Sharing GAPP Nursing Hours?
Before arranging shared nursing coverage, consider these important questions:
- Can the second agency provide nurses qualified to meet your child’s medical needs?
- Which shifts does each agency agree to cover?
- Have both agencies coordinated the required authorization paperwork?
- Do both providers have access to the necessary care records and physician-directed instructions?
- Who should you contact if a nurse is unavailable or a shift needs to be changed?
- How will the agencies communicate changes in your child’s condition or care needs?
Clear answers can help families avoid scheduling gaps and make the transition to shared care more manageable.
What If Your Current GAPP Agency Cannot Cover All Approved Hours?
You may not need to leave your current agency immediately. If your existing provider can cover some shifts but not others, sharing skilled nursing hours with another approved GAPP agency may be an option.
Start by discussing the uncovered shifts with your current provider. Ask whether the agency can coordinate with another approved provider and explain the steps required to establish shared coverage.
If shared care is not suitable for your family’s situation, you can also ask about the applicable process for transferring to another GAPP agency.
The goal is to identify a care arrangement that meets your child’s needs while following Georgia Medicaid requirements.
How Integrity Home Care and Nursing Supports Families
At Integrity Home Care and Nursing, we recognize that caring for a medically fragile child requires planning, communication, and dependable support.
Our team is committed to helping families understand their in-home care options and navigate questions about pediatric nursing services. If you are exploring GAPP services or need help understanding your child’s nursing coverage, we encourage you to contact our team to discuss your situation.
Every child’s needs are different, and available services depend on applicable program requirements, authorization, and staffing availability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sharing GAPP Nursing Hours
Can two GAPP agencies share nursing hours in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia’s GAPP policy allows two approved agencies to share a child’s authorized skilled nursing hours when the applicable requirements are met and the arrangement is properly coordinated.
Can two agencies share GAPP personal care hours?
No. Under GAPP’s shared-hours policy, personal care support hours cannot be shared between two agencies.
Do parents have to change agencies to get additional nursing coverage?
Not necessarily. Sharing authorized skilled nursing hours may allow families to retain their existing provider while another approved agency covers other shifts.
Does sharing hours automatically increase the number of nursing hours approved?
No. Sharing hours does not automatically increase the child’s authorization. Additional hours require the applicable medical necessity review and approval.
Do both agencies need separate paperwork?
Yes. Each agency must complete its own required documentation for its portion of the services and follow the applicable shared-hours authorization procedures. The agencies must also coordinate care records and physician-directed documentation as required.
How can I find out whether shared GAPP nursing hours are right for my child?
Discuss your child’s current authorization, uncovered shifts, and medical needs with your existing provider and a second approved GAPP agency. They can help explain the applicable requirements and determine whether they can coordinate coverage.
Contact Integrity Home Care and Nursing
Your child’s care deserves thoughtful coordination and dependable support. If you have questions about GAPP nursing services in Georgia, Integrity Home Care and Nursing is here to help you explore your options.
Contact us today to discuss your child’s in-home nursing needs.
Phone: 678-907-3454
Website: https://integrityhomecareandnursing.com/
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about GAPP services and is not a guarantee of eligibility, authorization, or nursing availability. GAPP requirements may change. Confirm current policies and procedures with the Georgia Department of Community Health or an approved GAPP provider.