Georgia · Katie Beckett / TEFRA

Georgia Katie Beckett waiver (Deeming Waiver)

The Georgia Katie Beckett program — officially the TEFRA option, colloquially the Deeming Waiver — gives Medicaid to children under 18 with significant medical needs without counting parents' income or assets. It is run by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), and the application is a paper-heavy mail/fax packet WaiverPath is built to organize.

Not really a "waiver"

Katie Beckett is technically a TEFRA state-plan option, not an HCBS 1915(c) waiver. Parent income and assets are "deemed" unavailable — only the child's count. That deeming rule is the whole point of the program.

Who qualifies

DCH reviews whether a child under 18 meets the TEFRA/Katie Beckett criteria, including level of care, cost-effectiveness, and child-only financial rules. Confirm the official determination requirements with DCH.

The packet

Form 94 Medicaid application (English/Spanish) plus three physician forms: DMA-6(A), DMA-706 level of care, and DMA-704 cost-effectiveness. The full DCH packet with instructions runs about 41 pages.

How the application works in 2026

Mail or fax is still the primary route. Packets go to the Centralized Katie Beckett Medicaid Team, 2211 Beaver Ruin Road, Suite 150, Norcross, GA 30071, or fax 678-248-7459 (phone 678-248-7449). The old P.O. Box stopped being accepted June 17, 2024.
A new portal launched April 15, 2026. katiebeckettportal.dch.georgia.gov adds document upload, status tracking, and secure messaging alongside mail and fax.
The DMA-6(A) has a 90-day clock. The physician form is valid only 90 days from signature, so families should schedule the doctor visit early and mail promptly after signing.
Medical documentation goes to Alliant. Records for the level-of-care review are sent to Alliant Health Solutions, Attn: TEFRA/Katie Beckett, P.O. Box 105406, Atlanta, GA 30348 — and incomplete packets get a 30-day missing-info window.
Approvals last longer now. Level-of-care approvals are authorized for no less than 2 years. Track every renewal notice and confirm deadlines with DCH.

Build my Georgia Katie Beckett checklist Step-by-step application guide View the checklist

Organize the packet in 6 steps

Step 1: Start from the current Georgia DCH Katie Beckett page. Open the official DCH TEFRA/Katie Beckett page before filling anything out. Download the current Form 94 packet and the DMA forms from DCH, then save the date and source URL in your records.
Step 2: Confirm the pathway with DCH before relying on old notes. Use the Centralized Katie Beckett Medicaid Team or the DCH portal to confirm the current packet route, contact information, and document-upload options. Program instructions can change, so do not rely only on an old saved PDF.
Step 3: Fill the family-controlled parts of Form 94. Complete Form 94 for the child and check the Katie Beckett block. Parent income is generally not counted for this pathway, but the form still asks for household details. Follow DCH instructions for every required field.
Step 4: Coordinate the physician forms before the 90-day clock gets tight. Schedule the physician work for DMA-6(A), DMA-706, and DMA-704 with enough time to gather signatures and supporting records. Track signature dates because the DMA-6(A) has a limited validity window.
Step 5: Inventory the medical records for Alliant review. Gather evaluations, therapy notes, discharge summaries, nursing notes, school or early-intervention records, and other documentation that describes daily support needs. Confirm with DCH or Alliant what records apply to your child.
Step 6: Send, upload, and follow up from one dated checklist. Record the mail, fax, or portal-upload date, keep a full copy of the packet, and track every follow-up call or portal message. If DCH asks for missing information, log the due date and the exact documents requested.

Documents to gather

Start with the current DCH packet and confirm the exact list for your child's case. This checklist is for organization only.

Current Form 94 Medicaid applicationUse the DCH copy and check the Katie Beckett program block before signing.
Child identity and residency documentsBirth certificate or proof of age, Social Security number if required, and Georgia residency proof.
Child-only income and asset notesTrack any SSI, wages, accounts, or resources in the child's name; confirm details with DCH.
Pediatric DMA-6(A)Physician-completed form; watch the signature-date validity window.
DMA-706 medical necessity / level-of-care statementPhysician documentation for DCH and Alliant review.
DMA-704 cost-effectiveness formPhysician cost estimates for in-home Medicaid services.
Medical-record packet for AlliantEvaluations, therapy notes, hospitalization records, nursing notes, and other current documentation.
Submission proofCertified-mail receipt, fax confirmation, or portal-upload confirmation with dates.

Georgia Katie Beckett FAQ

Is the Katie Beckett waiver in Georgia based on parent income?

No. Katie Beckett is a TEFRA state-plan option: parent income and assets are generally treated as unavailable and are not counted for this pathway. Only the child's own income and assets are considered. Confirm current financial rules with Georgia DCH or the Centralized Katie Beckett Medicaid Team.

Is there a waitlist for Katie Beckett in Georgia?

Katie Beckett is not a capped 1915(c) HCBS waiver like NOW or COMP. It is a TEFRA Medicaid pathway administered by Georgia DCH, so families should confirm current enrollment and processing rules directly with DCH.

Who qualifies for Georgia Katie Beckett Medicaid?

Georgia DCH reviews whether a child under 18 meets the TEFRA/Katie Beckett criteria, including level-of-care, cost-effectiveness, and child-only financial rules. WaiverPath helps organize the packet; DCH makes the official determination.

How do families apply?

By assembling a paper packet — the Form 94 Medicaid application plus physician-completed DMA-6(A), DMA-706, and DMA-704 — and mailing it to the Centralized Katie Beckett Medicaid Team in Norcross, faxing 678-248-7459, or uploading documents through the DCH Katie Beckett portal launched April 15, 2026.

How long do approvals last?

Georgia materials state that level-of-care approvals are authorized for no less than 2 years. Families should still track renewal notices, eligibility reviews, and any DCH requests because timing and paperwork can vary by case.

What does WaiverPath do for Georgia families?

WaiverPath is an organizer. It helps families track forms, physician paperwork, medical-document inventory, mailing/fax/portal dates, follow-up reminders, and renewal tasks. It does not submit the application, make eligibility decisions, or give legal or medical advice.

Looking at the NOW or COMP waiver instead? Those are separate DBHDD programs with a planning list — see the Georgia Medicaid waiver waitlist guide. For the national picture, read the Katie Beckett waiver explainer.

Official sources

Last reviewed by WaiverPath: July 11, 2026.

Medicaid.gov Home & Community Based ServicesFederal HCBS overview describing home and community-based services for Medicaid beneficiaries.Georgia DCH TEFRA/Katie Beckett program pageOfficial DCH program page for Katie Beckett / TEFRA with the application packet, submission instructions, and contacts.Georgia DFCS PAMMS Manual Section 2133 (TEFRA/Katie Beckett)Georgia eligibility policy manual section covering TEFRA/Katie Beckett rules, deeming, and processing.Katie Beckett Portal (DCH)Official DCH Katie Beckett portal (launched April 15, 2026) for document upload, status tracking, and secure messaging.Katie Beckett Medicaid Application (Form 94)Official Form 94 Medicaid application download from medicaid.georgia.gov.Pediatric DMA-6(A) Physician's RecommendationPhysician-completed DMA-6(A); every item must be answered and it is valid only 90 days from the physician's signature.DMA-706 Medical Necessity/Level of Care StatementTEFRA/Katie Beckett Medical Necessity/Level of Care Statement completed by the physician with the primary caregiver.DMA-704 Cost-Effectiveness FormTEFRA/Katie Beckett Cost-Effectiveness Form; the child's physician estimates monthly in-home Medicaid service costs.Georgia DBHDD: How do I apply for DD services (NOW/COMP)Official DBHDD page for NOW/COMP waiver applications via the Individual IDD Connects portal or a DBHDD field office; intake 1-888-273-1414.

Last reviewed: August 2026.

WaiverPath is not a government agency, law firm, Medicaid provider, or benefits advisor. We help you organize information, documents, and follow-up tasks. Always verify requirements with the official agency or a qualified professional.