For years, our family received nursing services through a home healthcare agency under Georgia’s NOW/COMP waiver program. Although we appreciated the care provided, we experienced challenges with staffing consistency and scheduling. We didn’t realize there might be another option for our loved one’s nursing services.
We had never been informed that independently enrolled nurses could provide services through Georgia’s NOW/COMP waiver program.
After receiving guidance, we learned about participant direction, the differences between agency nursing and independent nursing providers, and the steps involved in exploring a transition.
We received assistance understanding what questions to ask our support coordinator, how to navigate the process, and what was needed to pursue a change in nursing providers while keeping our loved one’s needs and preferences at the center of every decision.
The greatest benefit was having someone knowledgeable who understood the Georgia Medicaid waiver system and could explain our options clearly.
We now feel more informed, confident, and empowered to make decisions about our loved one’s nursing care. We only wish we had known these options existed sooner.