Florida's Growing PPEC Opportunity

Florida is the nation's leading market for Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care. With one of the largest Medicaid-enrolled pediatric populations in the country and a regulatory framework that supports PPEC development, the state offers exceptional opportunities for healthcare entrepreneurs who want to serve medically complex children while building a sustainable business.

The demand for PPEC services continues to grow as Florida's population expands and awareness of the PPEC model increases among physicians, hospitals, and families. Yet many communities across the state remain underserved — creating openings for well-run new facilities in markets of all sizes.

5.5M+ Medicaid Enrollees Statewide

~60 Licensed PPEC Centers

$281.68 Daily Reimbursement Rate

22M+ State Population (Growing)

Our 6 Service Areas

DDI Resources provides hands-on PPEC consulting across six major Florida markets. Each region has distinct demographics, referral networks, and startup considerations. Click any area below for a deep dive into that market.

Miami-Dade County

Florida's most populous county with 2.7M+ residents, a massive Medicaid-eligible pediatric population, and world-class hospital referral networks including Nicklaus Children's and Jackson Memorial.

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Broward County

South Florida's second-largest county with 2M+ residents and strong demand driven by Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital and a growing family population across Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, and Miramar.

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Palm Beach County

Rapidly growing market with 1.5M+ residents spanning from Boca Raton to Jupiter. Fewer existing PPEC centers per capita than Miami-Dade or Broward make this an attractive entry point.

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Orlando & Central Florida

Central Florida's booming population includes Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. Arnold Palmer Hospital and Nemours Children's Hospital anchor a strong pediatric referral network.

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Tampa Bay Area

The Tampa Bay metro — Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties — has 3M+ residents and major referral sources including Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital and Tampa General.

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Jacksonville & Northeast Florida

Jacksonville is Florida's largest city by area, with Wolfson Children's Hospital and UF Health Jacksonville driving referrals. The NE Florida market has significant room for new PPEC capacity.

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Why Florida Leads in PPEC

Florida's PPEC market benefits from several structural advantages that make it uniquely attractive for healthcare entrepreneurs:

Established regulatory framework — AHCA has clear licensure requirements for PPEC centers, creating a well-defined path from application to opening day
Medicaid reimbursement model — PPEC is a covered Medicaid benefit with per-diem rates of $281.68 per child per full day (T1025) through managed care organizations
Population growth — Florida adds roughly 1,000 new residents every day, continuously expanding the pediatric population and demand for services
Diverse demographics — Bilingual operators who serve Florida's large Hispanic population gain a significant competitive advantage in many markets
Limited competition — With approximately 60 licensed PPEC centers statewide serving a population of 22+ million, many communities remain underserved
Hospital referral infrastructure — Every major Florida metro has pediatric hospitals that actively refer medically complex children to PPEC programs

How DDI Resources Supports Statewide Launches

DDI Resources is based in South Florida, and our consulting reaches every corner of the state. Our team has direct PPEC operating experience that informs every engagement — we don't just advise, we've done it ourselves.

Our statewide consulting services include:

Market feasibility analysis for your chosen Florida market
Business plan development with region-specific financial projections
Site selection with local zoning and code compliance review
AHCA licensure application preparation and survey readiness
Medicaid enrollment and managed care plan contracting
Staffing strategy tailored to local labor market conditions
Equipment procurement and facility buildout oversight
Post-opening operational support and compliance monitoring

Ready to explore a specific market? Select your target area above, read our complete guide to opening a PPEC in Florida, or schedule a free consultation to discuss your project.

PPEC Consulting Across Florida