GAPP Knowledge Center
How GAPP nursing hours are authorized
GAPP nursing hours are not one-size-fits-all. The number of hours your child receives is determined by the severity of their medical condition, the nursing tasks required, and the family's availability to provide care. Understanding how the process works helps families advocate effectively during the authorization review.
Authorization Process
Who Authorizes Nursing Hours?
How prior authorization requests are reviewed and approved for GAPP in Georgia.
Alliant Health Solutions is Georgia Medicaid's fee-for-service prior authorization contractor. All GAPP service authorizations — including the number of skilled nursing or personal care hours — are reviewed and approved by Alliant based on the clinical documentation submitted by the attending physician and coordinated by the GAPP provider (Core Health Group Corp.).
Alliant has 7 calendar days to respond to a complete authorization packet
Authorization length is determined individually based on the child's level of need — there is no standard period
Core Health Group Corp. manages renewal timing to ensure no gap in approved services
Approved hours may be higher or lower than initially requested based on clinical review
What Alliant Reviews
Factors That Affect Hours
Six clinical and administrative factors that shape the final authorization.
Diagnosis Severity
More medically complex conditions (e.g., ventilator dependence, multi-system involvement) generally support higher authorized hours than less acute diagnoses.
Nursing Tasks Required
The specific nursing tasks documented in the plan of care drive the authorization. Tasks like ventilator management, trach suctioning, and IV medication administration require more nursing time than routine assessments.
Family Caregiver Availability
If a family member is able to provide certain care during certain hours, Alliant may adjust authorized nursing hours accordingly. Single-parent households or families where caregivers work full-time often receive higher authorizations.
Physician Documentation
The strength of the physician’s narrative — how clearly and specifically the child’s needs are documented — is a major factor. Vague documentation results in lower approvals.
Prior Utilization
For renewal authorizations, Alliant may consider how previously authorized hours were used.
Plan of Care
The plan of care document (completed by the GAPP provider) outlines the specific nursing tasks, frequency, and time required. Core Health Group Corp. ensures this document is as complete and accurate as possible.
Common Questions
Nursing hours, answered.
Yes. If your child’s medical condition changes or worsens, a new authorization request can be submitted with updated physician documentation. Core Health Group Corp. manages this process on your behalf.
Families have the right to appeal. Core Health Group Corp. assists with the appeal process, including identifying documentation gaps and working with the physician to strengthen the clinical record.
Yes. GAPP authorizations can include both skilled nursing hours (performed by RNs or LPNs) and personal care hours (performed by personal care aides). The mix is determined by the child’s clinical needs.
No. GAPP authorizations are for a specified number of hours per week within an authorization period. Unused hours do not roll over.
Core Health Group Corp. typically initiates the renewal process 60 days before the current authorization expires to ensure no gap in approved services.
Free Eligibility Screening
Find out how many hours your child may qualify for.
Our intake team reviews your child's diagnosis and clinical profile at no cost. We handle the authorization process from start to finish — and advocate for the hours your child’s needs require.