Georgia’s Katie Beckett Medicaid program — also called TEFRA — helps children with significant medical or developmental needs qualify for Medicaid based on the child’s needs, not family income. This page is your home base for the Katie Beckett Medicaid Georgia process: plain-language guides, videos, and links to each step — eligibility, gathering documents, applying, forms, appeals, and using the GAMMIS portal.
Quick Navigation
- Eligibility (Do we qualify?)
- What to Gather Before You Apply
- How to Apply
- Forms & Supporting Documents
- If You’re Denied: Appeals & Timelines
- GAMMIS Portal: Logins & What You Can Do
- After Approval: Renewals & Next Steps
- Helpful Links & Contacts
- FAQs
Eligibility (Do We Qualify?)
KB/TEFRA looks at a child’s medical and functional needs — specifically their “level of care” — not parental income. Children under 19 who need significant support for daily living, therapies, or medical care may qualify even if the family’s income would be too high for traditional Medicaid. Eligibility is based on three criteria: age and residency, medical level of care, and cost-effectiveness.
See the full eligibility guide »
What to Gather Before You Apply
Before filling out the application, gather the records and information that document your child’s level of care. Having these ready before the PCP appointment saves significant time, reduces back-and-forth, and greatly lowers the risk of denial from incomplete documentation. The checklist covers medical records, therapy notes, school documents, and parent forms.
View the full gathering checklist »
How to Apply
The application includes required KB forms plus supplemental items — some completed by you, others by your child’s Primary Care Provider. For a Nursing Level of Care, include 12 months of hospital summaries and 90 days of signed nursing notes. For ICF/ID (Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities), include a current psychological evaluation (within 3 years) and 90 days of therapy notes (OT, ST, PT, ABA, etc.). Calling the KB office before you start to confirm the current packet and mailing address is the best first step.
Step-by-step application guide »
Forms & Supporting Documents
The physician forms — especially the DMA-6A, DMA-704, and DMA-706 — carry the most weight in the review. Incomplete answers or vague language are the most common cause of denial. This guide explains what each form is asking, how parents and doctors work together to complete them, and includes downloadable templates for supporting documents when the standard forms don’t provide enough space.
View the forms and documentation guide »
If You’re Denied: Appeals & Timelines
A denial is not the end — many families are approved during the appeal process once additional documentation clarifies the level of care. Watch your deadlines: appeal requests are typically due within 30 days of the denial notice. The appeals guide covers what to include, how to strengthen your packet, and what to expect from the hearing process.
GAMMIS Portal: Logins & What You Can Do
The Georgia Medicaid GAMMIS portal is where you manage your child’s coverage online — check eligibility dates, view claims and notices, request a new card, and find your effective date for backdating claims. Getting logged in for the first time requires a few specific steps. The walkthrough guide covers the login process step by step, including a tip that saves a common headache with the one-time password.
After Approval: Renewals & Next Steps
After approval, there’s a new to-do list: activating your Medicaid card, logging into GAMMIS, backdating bills to your effective date, notifying providers, and understanding how renewals work. There’s also the HIPP program, which can reimburse your monthly private insurance premium — and requires a separate application. This guide walks through all of it so nothing falls through the cracks.
Renewal and next-steps guide »
Helpful Links & Contacts
- Georgia Medicaid (program info): medicaid.georgia.gov
- Georgia Medicaid info line: 1-800-766-4456
- KB/TEFRA program page: medicaid.georgia.gov/programs/all-programs/tefrakatie-beckett
- KB/TEFRA program phone: 678-248-7449
- Official GAMMIS portal: mmis.georgia.gov
- GAMMIS/MMIS Contact: home.gammis.com/public/Contact.aspx
- Georgia Advocacy Office: thegao.org/advocacy-request
- Parent to Parent of Georgia: p2pga.org
- Gina Deaton KB guide: ginadeaton.com/katie-beckett-guide
- Debbie Dobbs (free webinar/resources): debbiedobbs.com/free-resources
- Pathway 2 Possibilities: pathway2possibilities.com
- Help Them Grow: raisethemhigh.com/abouthelpthemgrow
- Georgia Katie Beckett Medicaid Support (FB group): facebook.com/CFSGVCF
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FAQs
How long does the Katie Beckett process take in Georgia?
Plan for the full timeline: gathering documents and completing the PCP appointment typically takes 1–4 weeks (longer if you need a new psychological evaluation). Once the KB office receives a complete packet, review can take up to 90 days. Around the 2-month mark, many families receive a demographic verification call, with a decision letter following 2–3 weeks later. If you’re denied and appeal, add another 2–3 months. Total from start to approval: often 3–6 months, sometimes longer.
What does Katie Beckett Medicaid actually cover?
Once approved, Katie Beckett acts as secondary insurance alongside your private plan. It can cover therapies (OT, PT, Speech, ABA), specialist visits, medications, durable medical equipment, nursing services, and more — reducing or eliminating your out-of-pocket costs for services your child already uses. Coverage details depend on your child’s approved level of care and provider participation.
Can I apply if we already have private insurance?
Yes. Most families use private insurance as primary and KB/Medicaid as secondary. You do not need to drop your private coverage.
Does income matter for Katie Beckett eligibility?
Parental income is not used to determine eligibility under KB/TEFRA. However, any income or assets in the child’s name (e.g., child support, trusts) must be disclosed and may be considered under Medicaid rules. If your family already qualifies for traditional income-based Medicaid, you typically wouldn’t need KB.
Is it worth applying for Katie Beckett Medicaid?
For most families with a child who needs ongoing therapies, equipment, or specialist care — yes. Even if your income is well above traditional Medicaid limits, KB evaluates your child’s needs independently. If KB isn’t the right fit, the process can also help you identify other supports and funding options you may not have known about.
What if we’re denied?
Don’t give up. Many families are approved on appeal once the level-of-care documentation is strengthened. You have 30 days from the denial notice to file. See the appeals guide at growingtogetherathome.com/katie-beckett-appeal-georgia/ for what to do next.