Georgia Medicaid Waivers & Home and Community Based Programs Overview

Georgia, known as The Peach State, has a comprehensive Medicaid Waiver and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) system designed to provide long-term care alternatives for individuals with disabilities, seniors, and those with chronic health conditions.

Administered by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) through Georgia Medicaid and in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) and the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services (DAS), the state's HCBS waivers allow participants to receive essential care while remaining in their homes or community settings.

Key waiver programs include the New Options Waiver (NOW) and Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP), which serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), the Elderly and Disabled (E&D) Waiver, which provides in-home and personal care support, and the Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment (SOURCE) Waiver, which integrates primary care with long-term services. Georgia also offers Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) and Self-Directed Services, giving participants more flexibility in choosing their care providers.

Regulatory oversight in Georgia is managed through DCH and DBHDD, with additional licensing and compliance requirements enforced by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division (HFRD). Most HCBS services in Georgia are administered through Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), which oversee service coordination, provider enrollment, and compliance.

The state has also implemented Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) for personal care services, ensuring greater accountability in Medicaid-funded home care programs. Additionally, providers must navigate strict Medicaid billing, provider credentialing, and regulatory compliance standards to participate in Georgia’s HCBS programs successfully. With a focus on managed care integration, person-centered planning, and cost-effective service delivery, Georgia’s Medicaid waiver system is designed to enhance community-based supports while promoting independence, dignity, and quality of life for its residents.

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Explore Policy and Procedure manual for licensing and certification for your state Medicaid Waiver and HCBS programs here.

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