PPEC Frequently Asked Questions

Helpful information to guide your family

Serving Families Across Southwest Florida

Thrive PPEC provides skilled nursing therapies, and medical day care services for medically complex children throughout Southwest Florida, including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, Suncoast Estates, Harlem Heights, Pine Manor and San Carlos Park. Transportation eligibility helps ensure that children who live within these areas can reliably access the care they need each day.

A PPEC (Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care)—sometimes called pediatric medical daycare in other states—is a Florida-licensed, non-residential healthcare program for children with complex or medically fragile needs.

At a PPEC, children receive continuous nursing care and medical supervision during the day while still living at home. Services typically include medication administration, vitals monitoring, feeding support, and coordination of therapies such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

In many states, families may know this type of care as Pediatric Day Health Care (PDHC) or medical daycare. While the name and licensing differ, the goal is the same: to provide safe, skilled medical care in a nurturing, daycare-like environment so children can thrive and families can have peace of mind.

Yes. In Florida, this service is licensed as Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC).

In many other states, families may know this same type of care as Pediatric Day Health Care (PDHC), pediatric medical daycare, or a medically fragile child day program. While the name and licensing structure vary by state, the core services are very similar:

• Skilled nursing supervision
• Medical care during the day in a non-residential setting
• Therapy services provided on-site or coordinated
• Support for children with complex or medically fragile needs

If your child previously attended a pediatric day health or medical daycare program in another state, a Florida-licensed PPEC typically provides the same level of care, tailored to Florida Medicaid and AHCA requirements.

Thrive PPEC in Fort Myers is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., providing full-day skilled nursing, therapies, and developmental support for medically complex children and families.

Yes. Transportation to and from Thrive PPEC is available for eligible children and is coordinated through approved transportation brokers, based on physician orders, medical necessity, and coverage through Medicaid or managed care plans.

In Florida, a child’s attendance at a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) program is most often funded by Medicaid for children who meet medical eligibility requirements. PPEC services are considered medically necessary for children with complex or ongoing healthcare needs.

Authorization is completed through a physician’s order and Medicaid approval. Your child’s healthcare provider works with the PPEC to confirm eligibility and submit the required documentation. Once approved, Medicaid covers the cost of care, meaning there is no out-of-pocket expense for families for authorized services.

Our team is here to help guide families through the entire process—coordinating with physicians and Medicaid, answering questions, and making enrollment as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Transportation services are typically arranged for children who live within Lee County, including communities such as Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, and San Carlos Park. Each child’s situation is reviewed and managed by the transportation broker, who determines eligibility based on distance, medical need, and plan guidelines.

Some families prefer to transport their child to the center themselves because it is the best fit for their schedule and their child’s comfort. Family-arranged transportation is always welcomed, and our team will work with you to coordinate safe drop-off and pick-up routines.

We provide on-site speech, respiratory, physical, occupational, and feeding therapies within the PPEC setting. Delivering these therapies on-site allows children to receive treatment in a familiar environment, reduces the need for multiple appointments across town, and supports coordination between therapists and nursing staff.

In Florida, children from birth through 21 years of age may qualify for Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) services when they require ongoing skilled nursing care, medical monitoring, or coordinated therapies as ordered by their physician. PPEC is designed for medically fragile or technology-dependent children who need more support than a traditional daycare or school setting can safely provide.

In everyday terms, children often qualify for PPEC if they:

  • Have complex medical conditions such as congenital heart or lung disease, neurological or genetic conditions, seizure disorders, metabolic or endocrine disorders, or complications related to prematurity or surgery.
  • Use or require medical equipment at home, including tracheostomies, ventilators, oxygen support, suction machines, feeding tubes (NG, G-tube, J-tube), apnea monitors, pulse oximeters, or specialized wheelchairs and positioning devices.
  • Need frequent or scheduled medications that must be given and monitored by nursing staff, such as seizure medications, respiratory treatments, injections (like insulin), cardiac medications, or other complex medication regimens.
  • Benefit from regular therapies—such as physical, occupational, speech, respiratory, and feeding therapy—coordinated with their medical care in a structured setting.

Final eligibility for PPEC is determined by the child’s medical provider and Medicaid (or their managed care plan) based on medical necessity, safety, and suitability for care in a PPEC environment.

Thrive PPEC services are covered through Florida Medicaid and Medicaid-managed care plans for eligible children who meet medical necessity criteria. Medicaid reviews documentation from the child’s physician and authorizes PPEC services when appropriate, including the number of days and hours per week.

You can learn more about Medicaid coverage for PPEC services at the official Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) page:

Florida Medicaid – Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC)

A high-quality Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) program goes beyond meeting licensing requirements—it focuses on experience, communication, and trust.

Key factors families often consider include the experience of the nursing team, the program’s ability to safely care for children with complex medical needs, and how comfortable both children and parents feel in the environment. A strong PPEC understands that each child’s care plan is unique and requires close attention, consistency, and compassion.

Equally important is a PPEC’s ability to navigate Medicaid, medical providers, and transportation systems. Programs that work closely with physicians, therapists, care coordinators, and transportation partners help ensure services are well-coordinated and families are supported—not overwhelmed.

And just as importantly, finding the right PPEC is a personal decision. If we’re not the right fit for your family or your child, you’ll know—and we will always encourage families to explore other PPECs in the community to find the program that best meets their child’s needs.

Above all, families look for a PPEC they can trust—one that communicates openly, advocates for their child, and treats every child with the same level of care they would want for their own.