What Is a PPEC? A Complete Guide for Families in Miami-Dade and South Broward

If you are a parent of a medically complex child in Miami Gardens, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, North Miami, Opa-Locka, Aventura, Cooper City, or anywhere in Northern Miami-Dade County or South Broward County, you may have heard a clinician say the word "PPEC." It is one of the most important pediatric care options in Florida — and one of the most misunderstood.

This guide explains, in plain language, what a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) facility is, who it serves, how it is regulated, what it covers, and how families across Miami-Dade and Broward enroll at Blessed Pediatric Care.

PPEC stands for Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care

PPEC is short for Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care. It is a licensed, AHCA-regulated medical facility category created by the State of Florida specifically for children with complex medical needs. The word "prescribed" is the critical part: every service a child receives at a PPEC is based on a written physician's order and an individualized plan of care.

That is what makes PPEC fundamentally different from any form of daycare, after-school program, or babysitting service. A PPEC is a medical facility. It is staffed by Registered Nurses, licensed therapists, and trained pediatric caregivers, and it operates under the same regulatory framework as other licensed healthcare providers in Florida.

Who PPEC is designed for

PPEC was created for children whose medical needs exceed what a traditional daycare, home, or school environment can safely manage. At Blessed Pediatric Care, we serve children from birth through age 21 who meet some or all of the following:

• Technology-dependent — including children with tracheostomies, ventilators, oxygen, G-tube or J-tube feeding, central lines, or apnea monitors
• Chronic medical conditions requiring continuous skilled nursing supervision
• Recent NICU or hospital discharge with ongoing clinical needs
• Seizure disorders that require trained observation and medication management
• Genetic, neurological, or congenital conditions affecting development
• Children receiving multiple therapies (PT, OT, Speech, behavioral) who benefit from integrated delivery

If your child has been told they need "skilled nursing level of care" by their pediatrician, neurologist, pulmonologist, or hospital discharge planner, PPEC is likely the appropriate setting.

What happens inside a PPEC each day

A day at Blessed Pediatric Care is structured around your child's individualized plan of care. The day typically includes:

• Arrival and assessment by a Registered Nurse
• Medication administration on the prescribed schedule
• Tube feeding, respiratory care, and other clinical interventions as ordered
• Scheduled therapy sessions — Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Behavioral therapy
• Nutritious meals and snacks, including specialized feeding plans
• Age-appropriate developmental and educational activities
• Continuous monitoring and documentation of vital signs and clinical status
• Safe, supervised rest periods

Children can attend up to 12 hours per day, Monday through Friday, which means a parent can hold a full-time job, attend appointments, or rest while their child receives expert clinical care.

How PPEC is regulated in Florida

PPEC facilities in Florida are licensed and inspected by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). AHCA regulates everything from RN-to-child ratios, emergency preparedness, medication storage, infection control, transportation safety, and the qualifications of every staff member.

Blessed Pediatric Care is fully AHCA-licensed and operates under physician-directed plans of care for every enrolled child. That regulatory oversight is the reason PPEC can safely accept children that daycare and traditional childcare programs are not equipped to serve.

Who pays for PPEC?

The most common question parents ask is, "How much does this cost?" For most Florida families, PPEC is fully covered by Florida Medicaid when the child is eligible and the services are medically necessary. There is no out-of-pocket cost for families whose child qualifies.

Our intake team at Blessed Pediatric Care verifies Medicaid eligibility, coordinates with your child's physician for orders, and handles all prior authorization paperwork — at no cost to your family. Read more about Medicaid coverage for PPEC services.

Where PPEC fits in the continuum of pediatric care

Families often ask how PPEC compares to other options. Here is the simplified continuum:

• Hospital inpatient care — for acute, unstable conditions
• Skilled home health nursing — one nurse in the home; limited hours; parent often must remain present
• PPEC (Blessed Pediatric Care) — full medical team, multiple therapies, structured day, developmental support, transportation
• Daycare — non-medical, not equipped for technology-dependent children
• Traditional school — non-medical, typically not appropriate without significant accommodations

PPEC fills the gap between hospital and home — providing hospital-grade clinical oversight in a warm, child-friendly daily environment.

PPEC across Miami-Dade and South Broward

Blessed Pediatric Care proudly serves families from across Northern Miami-Dade County and South Broward County, including Miami Gardens, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-Locka, Hialeah, Aventura, Miami Lakes, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Southwest Ranches, and Cooper City. We provide door-to-door transportation throughout this service area.

How to enroll your child

Enrollment at Blessed Pediatric Care follows five steps:

1. Contact our intake team at (305) 342-2481 or through our contact form
2. Eligibility and Medicaid verification — we handle the paperwork
3. Physician coordination — we work with your child's doctor to obtain orders
4. Facility tour — meet the nursing team and see where your child will spend their days
5. First day and gradual integration

The full process typically takes one to three weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions About PPEC

Is PPEC the same as daycare? No. PPEC is a licensed medical facility regulated by AHCA. Daycare is not licensed to provide medical care or skilled nursing.

Does my child need a doctor's referral to attend PPEC? Yes. PPEC services must be physician-ordered. We help coordinate the order with your child's doctor.

Will Medicaid pay for it? Yes — Florida Medicaid covers PPEC services for eligible children. Our team verifies eligibility at no cost.

What ages does Blessed Pediatric Care serve? We serve children from birth through age 21.

How many hours per day can my child attend? Up to 12 hours per day, Monday through Friday.

Do you provide transportation? Yes — door-to-door across Miami-Dade and South Broward County.

Schedule a Tour

If you are exploring PPEC for the first time, the best next step is a no-cost facility tour. You will meet our Registered Nurses, see the therapy rooms, and discuss your child's specific needs.

Call (305) 342-2481 or request a tour online. To refer a patient as a healthcare provider, visit our physician referral page.