The Katie Beckett Waiver in Georgia
A Complete Guide for Parents
If you’re the parent of a child with disabilities or complex medical needs in Georgia, you may have heard of the Katie Beckett Waiver. Like many families, you may not be sure exactly what it is, who qualifies, or how to apply.
At Miralta, we speak with families across Georgia who are overwhelmed by Medicaid paperwork and unclear rules. This guide is here to help. Below, we break down everything you need to know about the Katie Beckett Waiver in plain English.
What Is the Katie Beckett Waiver?
The Katie Beckett Deeming Waiver, also known as the TEFRA Katie Beckett Medicaid eligibility pathway, allows certain children with disabilities or medical conditions to qualify for Medicaid based on their own income and health issues, rather than their parents’ income.
This is a huge benefit for families who:
Don’t qualify for Medicaid due to income
Have high out-of-pocket medical costs
Need access to home nursing, therapy, equipment, or Medicaid-funded services
The program is named after Katie Beckett, a child who inspired changes in Medicaid law after being denied coverage simply because her parents earned too much, even though her medical bills were astronomical. Think of it as the pathway to GAPP for the middle class.
What Does It Cover?
Children who qualify for the Katie Beckett pathway can receive full Medicaid benefits, which may include:
In-home nursing services (like GAPP)
Therapies: speech, occupational, physical
Medical equipment (wheelchairs, feeding tubes, etc.)
Prescriptions and doctor visits
Behavioral health services, including autism-related care
The waiver itself doesn’t pay for extra services, it just opens the door to Medicaid eligibility, which is what covers those services.
Who Qualifies for the Katie Beckett Waiver?
To qualify, a child must:
Be under the age of 18
Be a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant
Live at home with a parent or guardian
Have a qualifying disability based on Social Security standards
Require a level of care that would typically be provided in a hospital, nursing home, or skilled facility, even if they are being cared for at home
Importantly, parent income is not considered. The child’s own income and resources are evaluated, and most children qualify under this part.
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
The application process for Katie Beckett in Georgia has two parts:
Step 1: Apply for Medicaid (Financial Eligibility)
Even if your child is likely to be denied for regular Medicaid, you still have to apply. This starts the process and establishes your case in the system.
Visit: gateway.ga.gov
Create an account and submit an application
Expect to be denied due to income (this is normal)
Once you receive a denial letter, you can proceed to the Katie Beckett application.
Step 2: Apply for the Katie Beckett Deeming Waiver
Submit a separate application to the Right from the Start Medicaid (RSM) Program including:
A completed Form 94 (Katie Beckett Application)
A detailed Medical Necessity Letter from your child’s doctor
Copies of therapy notes, IEPs, hospital records, or other documentation
A level-of-care evaluation to show your child requires skilled care at home
Any supporting documentation to explain the need for waiver-level care
Applications are reviewed by a Medical Review Team, who will evaluate whether your child meets the “institutional level of care” criteria.
How Long Does It Take?
Initial Medicaid denial: 1–2 weeks
Katie Beckett review: 4–8 weeks on average (sometimes longer)
You’ll receive a letter by mail once a decision is made. If approved, Medicaid coverage will be backdated to the first of the month you applied.
What Happens After Approval?
Once approved, your child will have full Medicaid coverage. This allows you to:
Access in-home services through programs like GAPP
Receive equipment and therapy not covered by private insurance
Reduce or eliminate copays for critical services
You’ll need to renew eligibility annually, and your child’s health and care plan will be periodically reviewed.
What If You’re Denied?
If your Katie Beckett application is denied, you have the right to:
Request reconsideration
Submit additional documentation from your child’s physician or therapist
File a Medicaid Fair Hearing appeal
Many families are approved after a second review, especially with stronger documentation of medical need.
How Miralta Can Help
At Miralta Home Care, we assist Georgia families every day who are trying to access GAPP or other services that require Medicaid coverage. While we are not a law firm or Medicaid office, we:
Help you understand whether your child may qualify
Coordinate with physicians to prepare Letters of Medical Necessity
Assist with gathering documents required for GAPP or home nursing once Medicaid is in place
We can walk you through the Katie Beckett application process at a high level and make sure you’re on the right track
Once your child is approved, we can also help determine if you're eligible for the Family Caregiver option, where a parent or family member may be trained and paid to provide care at home.
Final Thoughts
The Katie Beckett Waiver can be life-changing, but the process can be confusing, slow, and paperwork-heavy. You don’t have to figure it out alone.
If you have questions about GAPP, Medicaid eligibility, or how to access in-home care for your child, Miralta is here to help.
Book a free consultation here
We're proud to serve families across Atlanta, including in Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, and surrounding counties.
