Children’s Rehab PPEC
PPEC Statistics & Facts: Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care in Florida
PPEC at a glance
- 3,638 Florida children receive PPEC through Medicaid
- Up to 12 hours of care per day
- $264.24 maximum full-day Medicaid rate
- Family-owned since 1991
- Serving children birth through 21
What Is PPEC? The Short Answer
Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) is a Florida Medicaid program that gives children with medically complex conditions continual skilled nursing care, personal care, and developmental therapies in a licensed, non-residential daytime center. As of June 2024, 3,638 children were receiving PPEC services through Florida Medicaid, and one full PPEC day of five to twelve hours is reimbursed at a maximum fee of $264.24. Children qualify when they are under 21, have complex medical needs, and are medically stable. Children’s Rehab PPEC has cared for South Florida families since 1991 from centers in Lehigh Acres and Miami Gardens.
This page gathers the numbers behind PPEC in one place: state enrollment, Medicaid rates, eligibility rules, national data on children with medical complexity, and quotes from the families we serve. Every figure is sourced at the bottom of the page so that parents, case managers, school staff, and journalists can cite it directly.
The Numbers at a Glance
- 3,638 children received PPEC services through Florida Medicaid as of June 2024.
- PPEC covers up to 12 hours of care per day.
- $264.24 is the maximum Florida Medicaid fee for a full PPEC day of five to twelve hours.
- $41.96 per hour is the maximum fee for a partial PPEC day of four hours or less.
- 23.5% of Florida children have a special health care need.
- Children’s Rehab PPEC has been family-owned since 1991, serving children from birth through age 21.
Last reviewed and updated: October 23, 2026. Statistics are refreshed when state fee schedules and enrollment data change.
PPEC, Defined
A PPEC (Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care) center is a licensed, non-residential facility that provides continual skilled nursing care, personal care, and developmental therapies to children with medically complex conditions during the day. Children continue to live at home and attend the center for care.
Florida licenses PPEC centers under Chapter 400, Part VI, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 59A-13, Florida Administrative Code. The service is covered for eligible children through Florida Medicaid under coverage policy Rule 59G-4.260, F.A.C. The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) licenses and regulates the centers, and the state contracts for prior authorization of PPEC services.
How PPEC Compares to Other Care Settings
| Care setting | What it provides | How it is paid for |
|---|---|---|
| PPEC center | Skilled nursing, personal care, developmental therapies, education, recreation, and free transportation in one licensed daytime program | Florida Medicaid (fee-for-service) or private insurance |
| Private duty nursing at home | One-on-one nursing in the home, billed hourly. Therapy and education are arranged separately. | Medicaid private duty nursing benefit or private insurance |
| Traditional daycare | Supervision and early learning for children without ongoing medical needs | Family |
| Hospital or inpatient care | Around-the-clock medical care in a hospital setting | Insurance or Medicaid |
Sources: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration; Florida Senate bill analysis and fiscal impact statement for SB 1490 (2025).
PPEC in Florida: The Numbers
Florida Medicaid reimburses PPEC for children who meet the state’s eligibility rules. These are the current published figures.
| PPEC statistic | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Children receiving PPEC services through Florida Medicaid | 3,638 | AHCA data, June 2024 |
| Share enrolled in Statewide Medicaid Managed Care | About 80% | AHCA data, June 2024 |
| Share served through fee-for-service Medicaid | About 20% | AHCA data, June 2024 |
| Maximum PPEC hours covered per day | 12 hours | Florida AHCA, PPEC program page |
| Maximum Medicaid fee, full PPEC day of 5 to 12 hours (code T1025) | $264.24 | AHCA PPEC Services Fee Schedule, 2025 |
| Maximum Medicaid fee, partial PPEC day of 4 hours or less (code T1026) | $41.96 per hour | AHCA PPEC Services Fee Schedule, 2025 |
| Age range eligible for PPEC | Under 21 years | AHCA; Rule 59G-4.260, F.A.C. |
| Florida children with a special health care need | 23.5% | KFF State Health Facts (National Survey of Children’s Health) |
Florida Medicaid also requires that a child have complex medical needs and be medically stable before PPEC services are approved.
What Does PPEC Cost in Florida?
For children who qualify, Florida Medicaid pays for PPEC. The state’s 2025 fee schedule sets a maximum of $264.24 for a full day of five to twelve hours, and $41.96 per hour for a partial day of four hours or less. Spread across a 12-hour day, the full-day rate works out to about $22.02 per hour of care.
| Service | Florida Medicaid maximum fee | Cost per hour of care |
|---|---|---|
| Full PPEC day, 5 to 12 hours (T1025) | $264.24 per day | $22.02 at 12 hours; $26.42 at 10 hours; $33.03 at 8 hours |
| Partial PPEC day, 4 hours or less (T1026) | $41.96 per hour | $41.96 |
| Private duty nursing by a registered nurse at home (S9123) | $32.23 per hour | $32.23 |
| Private duty nursing by a licensed practical nurse at home (S9124) | $28.14 per hour | $28.14 |
At ten hours of care or more, a full PPEC day costs the Medicaid program less per hour than one-on-one private duty nursing at home. The PPEC rate also bundles nursing, personal care, and developmental therapies into a single daily fee instead of billing each service on its own.
Coverage Note for Families
Medicaid is the payer for most PPEC care, and Florida legislators have changed how PPEC is administered in recent sessions. Children’s Rehab PPEC accepts Medicaid, private insurance, and self-pay. Our team verifies benefits before enrollment so families know what to expect, and we encourage any family who is unsure about coverage to call us at 239-674-7439 in Lehigh Acres or 305-622-7575 in Miami Gardens.
Who Qualifies for PPEC in Florida?
Florida Medicaid lists three requirements for PPEC services, and a physician must prescribe the care.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | Under 21 years old |
| Medical need | Complex medical needs that require continual nursing care |
| Stability | Medically stable |
| Prescription | PPEC services must be prescribed by a physician |
| Facility license | The center must be licensed under Chapter 400, Part VI, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 59A-13, F.A.C. |
| Coverage rule | Florida Medicaid PPEC Services Coverage Policy, Rule 59G-4.260, F.A.C. |
| How to start | Contact the center. Eligibility can vary by condition, so families are encouraged to ask. |
Children’s Rehab PPEC cares for children from birth through age 21. If you are not sure whether your child qualifies, start with an enrollment conversation. It costs nothing and takes a few minutes.
Children’s Rehab PPEC: Facts at a Glance
These figures describe our own centers. They are published here so that families, referral partners, and journalists can quote them directly.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Family-owned and operating since | 1991 (35 years) |
| Locations | Lehigh Acres — 3020 Lee Blvd, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 Miami Gardens — 2727 NW 167th St, Miami Gardens, FL 33056 |
| Ages served | Birth through 21 |
| Center hours | Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Daily care window | Up to 12 hours per day |
| Therapy ratio | One-to-one. Children are never grouped for therapy sessions. |
| Therapy staffing | On-site therapy department. Our therapists are Children’s Rehab employees, not contractors from an outside agency. |
| Therapy hours for Medicaid-enrolled children | Up to 4 hours per week of occupational, physical, and speech therapy |
| Nursing staffing | Nurse-to-child ratios that exceed state minimums |
| Transportation | Free, to and from home, anywhere in South Florida |
| Services under one roof | Skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, behavioral therapy, feeding therapy, specialized education, recreational activities, case management, and free transportation |
| Payment accepted | Medicaid, private insurance, and self-pay |
Verified against our published program pages and center listings, October 23, 2026.
What Families Say About Children’s Rehab PPEC
These are quotes from parents and guardians, published in our own reviews and testimonials. Names appear as they were shared with us.
My son has been going here since he was 6 months old. He’s now 7 and continues to go for summer break and other days he’s out of school. The staff is really great, they tend to all of his needs. He’s enjoyed all of the field trips this summer.
Tionna Michelle, parent
My baby has been going to PPEC since she was 3 and a half months, and the first time we visited the facility I fell in love. They didn’t just welcome my baby, they welcomed me as well. Now my baby is 4 years old and she loves it, and that is her second family away from home.
Shirley Davy, parent
More than a PPEC, the place works like a big family. They are all very loving with the children and make them feel at home. It is seen that there is harmony among the staff; they treat each other with great affection and respect.
Aida Calviac, parent
My daughter was approved for 5 months of services with PPEC, and with their assistance, I think her health points and outcomes will improve.
Muna Sultan, parent
They go above and beyond to communicate about him. Facility is super clean and spacious. I have done a couple of pop ups and I have never seen an unhappy or mistreated child or employee.
Shahara, parent
Phenomenal school that really cares about their students. Very happy with the progress my son has made in the years he’s been enrolled.
Denise Jaymes, parent
Our Position on PPEC Access, On the Record
These are the statements Children’s Rehab PPEC stands behind. They may be quoted with attribution to Children’s Rehab PPEC.
PPEC exists so that a child who needs nursing care during the day does not have to choose between medical care and being a kid. Both can happen in the same room.
Children’s Rehab PPEC
One-to-one therapy is not an upgrade at our centers. It is how we have always delivered therapy, and we do not group children to save time.
Children’s Rehab PPEC
The families we serve are often making hard decisions about work, care, and money at the same time. Free transportation takes one of those decisions off the table.
Children’s Rehab PPEC
A PPEC day is a single fee that covers nursing, personal care, and developmental therapies. That is what makes the program workable for the state and affordable for families.
Children’s Rehab PPEC
We hire our therapists instead of contracting them, because a child’s therapy goals and nursing plan need to be part of the same conversation.
Children’s Rehab PPEC
Parents should not have to guess whether their child qualifies. Call us. Eligibility is broader than most families expect.
Children’s Rehab PPEC
Children With Medical Complexity: National Data
PPEC serves a small share of children who account for a large share of pediatric healthcare. These national figures come from federal survey data and peer-reviewed research.
| Statistic | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. children with special health care needs | 26% (about 19 million) | KFF analysis of the National Survey of Children’s Health, 2024 |
| U.S. children meeting the original special health care needs screener | 21% (about 15 million) | KFF analysis of the National Survey of Children’s Health, 2024 |
| Children with a special health care need who flourish, ages 6 to 17 | 34.4% vs. 69.1% of peers | HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau |
| School engagement, ages 6 to 17 | 26.3% vs. 47.9% of peers | HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau |
| Special health care needs among non-Hispanic Black children | 23.3% | HRSA NSCH data brief |
| Special health care needs among children living in poverty | 22.8% | HRSA NSCH data brief |
| Share of the pediatric population who are children with medical complexity | Less than 1% | Koob et al., 2024 |
| Share of pediatric inpatient hospital costs attributed to children with medical complexity | Up to 80% | Koob et al., 2024 |
| Average annual healthcare costs for children with medical complexity | $8,566 to $54,417 | Koob et al., 2024 |
| Healthcare costs for these children compared with peers without complex needs | About 14.2 times higher | Koob et al., 2024 |
Frequently Asked Questions About PPEC
What is PPEC?
Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) is a Florida Medicaid program that provides continual skilled nursing care, personal care, and developmental therapies to children with medically complex conditions in a licensed, non-residential daytime center. Children live at home and attend the center during the day.
How many children use PPEC in Florida?
3,638 children received PPEC services through Florida Medicaid as of June 2024. About 80% were enrolled in Statewide Medicaid Managed Care, and about 20% were served through fee-for-service Medicaid.
How much does a day of PPEC cost?
Florida Medicaid’s 2025 fee schedule sets a maximum of $264.24 for a full PPEC day of five to twelve hours, and $41.96 per hour for a partial day of four hours or less. The full-day rate works out to about $22.02 per hour at 12 hours of care.
Does Medicaid pay for PPEC?
Yes. PPEC is a Florida Medicaid benefit for children who meet the state’s eligibility rules, and the state reimburses providers according to its published fee schedule. Children’s Rehab PPEC also accepts private insurance and self-pay, and we verify benefits before enrollment.
How many hours a day can my child attend a PPEC?
Florida Medicaid covers up to 12 hours of PPEC care per day. Children’s Rehab PPEC is open Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Who qualifies for PPEC in Florida?
A child must be under 21 years old, have complex medical needs that require continual nursing care, and be medically stable. A physician prescribes the service. Because eligibility can vary by condition, families should ask rather than assume.
What is the difference between PPEC and private duty nursing at home?
Private duty nursing brings a nurse into the home and is billed hourly. Florida Medicaid pays $32.23 per hour for a registered nurse and $28.14 per hour for a licensed practical nurse. PPEC moves care to a licensed center and bundles nursing, personal care, and developmental therapies into one daily rate, with therapy, education, and recreation included.
Does Children’s Rehab PPEC provide transportation?
Yes. Children’s Rehab PPEC provides free transportation to and from home for children across South Florida.
What ages does Children’s Rehab PPEC serve?
Children’s Rehab PPEC cares for children from birth through age 21 at our Lehigh Acres and Miami Gardens centers.
How to Cite This Page
If you are citing this page in an article, report, or case file, use this reference:
Children’s Rehab PPEC. “PPEC Statistics & Facts: Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care in Florida.” Updated October 23, 2026. https://childrensrehabppec.com/ppec-statistics/
Suggested citation
Sources and References
- Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. “Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC).” ahca.myflorida.com
- Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. “Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Services Fee Schedule 2025.” ahca.myflorida.com
- Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. “Private Duty Nursing Services Fee Schedule 2025.” ahca.myflorida.com
- The Florida Senate. “Bill Analysis and Fiscal Impact Statement, SB 1490, 2025 Regular Session,” page 7. flsenate.gov
- Florida Administrative Code, Rule 59G-4.260, “Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Services.” law.cornell.edu
- Florida Statutes, Chapter 400, Part VI, “Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Centers.” leg.state.fl.us
- HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau. “Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN).” mchb.hrsa.gov
- HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau. “NSCH Data Brief: Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs.” mchb.hrsa.gov
- KFF. “Percent of Children with Special Health Care Needs” (State Health Facts) and “5 Key Facts About Children with Special Health Care Needs and Medicaid.” kff.org
- Koob C, et al. “Bridging the gaps in pediatric complex healthcare: the case for home nursing care among children with medical complexity,” 2024. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
All sources accessed October 23, 2026.
Related Pages
- PPEC Medical Daycare — what our program includes and how a medical daycare day is structured.
- PPEC in Lehigh Acres, FL — our Lee County center at 3020 Lee Blvd.
- PPEC in Miami Gardens, FL — our Broward and Miami-Dade center at 2727 NW 167th St.
- PPEC Center Enrollment — how to start the process and what to bring.
- Statistics: Children & Youth With Special Health Care Needs — the wider national dataset behind the figures on this page.
- Family Testimonials — the full collection of parent reviews quoted above.
Questions About PPEC for Your Child?
Children’s Rehab PPEC has cared for South Florida families since 1991. Call us, text us, or start an enrollment conversation, and we will tell you honestly whether your child qualifies and what the next step looks like.