I don’t know about you, but whenever I hear the phrase “special session,” I get a little twitch in my eye. It usually means one thing: the work isn’t done, and the uncertainty is just getting started.
If you’ve been following the news out of Tallahassee lately, you know it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. The regular legislative session ended on March 13th, but, and it’s a big but, they didn’t pass a budget. Now, we’re in this strange “lull before the storm” as everyone preps to head back to the Capitol in mid-April.
I talk to pediatric practice owners every single day, and I can tell you, the vibe right now is a mix of frustration and “here we go again.” We’re all waiting on the edge of our seats to see what this $1.4 billion gap means for Medicaid rates and our daily operations.
Let’s break down what’s actually happening and what you need to keep on your radar as we march (pun intended) toward April.
The April Overtime: Why the Budget Delay Matters
So, why did they walk away without a deal? At a high level, the House and the Senate are playing a game of chicken with about $1 billion. The House wants a $114 billion budget focused on tight spending, while the Senate is looking at $115 billion with more room for healthcare and education.
I realized I was doing it all wrong when I first started tracking this stuff, I used to think a delay was just politics as usual. But for a pediatric clinic? A delay is a direct threat to your cash flow.
When the state can’t agree on a budget, it puts a giant question mark over Medicaid reimbursement rates. We are specifically watching that $1.4 billion gap. If the “austerity” crowd wins, those rate increases we’ve been fighting for might get trimmed or tossed.
The critical deadline is July 1st. That’s when the new fiscal year starts. If they don’t have a deal by then, state-funded services could face a partial shutdown. Scary, right? But don’t panic yet. These special sessions are designed to hammer out these exact details. We’ve been through Florida legislative session wraps before, and we’ll get through this one too.
PDN Rate Advocacy: The $7.1 Million Question
One of the biggest items on the table for the special session is the Medicaid Private Duty Nursing (PDN) rate increase. We’re looking at a proposed $7.1 million boost.
I’ve spent a lot of time looking at the numbers for our clients who provide PDN services, and let me tell you, it’s a “necessary evil” to stay on top of these advocacy efforts. The cost of providing high-quality, 1-on-1 nursing for medically fragile kids has skyrocketed, but the rates? They’ve been stuck in the past.
The good news? This push isn’t dead. Even though the regular session ended, the PDN rate increase is a key item for the special session negotiations. If you’re a provider in this space, now is the time to keep the pressure on. I’m constantly stressed for my clients who rely on these rates, but seeing the unified front from the therapy community gives me hope.
If you want to hear more about how these rates impact the bigger picture, I highly recommend checking out our podcast episode on FL Medicaid rate increases. It’ll give you some much-needed context while we wait for the April update.
FLASHA School Office Hours: Mark Your Calendars
For my SLP friends, I have a quick but important heads-up. FLASHA is launching new school-based office hours starting April 2nd.
I don’t know about you, but I think school-based therapy is its own unique beast. The compliance, the paperwork, the scheduling, it’s a lot. Having a dedicated space to ask questions and get updates directly from FLASHA is a huge win.
Whether you’re dealing with stuttering coverage issues or just trying to figure out how to navigate the latest state mandates, these office hours are going to be a lifesaver. It’s a great way to stay connected while we’re all stuck in this legislative waiting room.
Dry Needling: OTs, You’re Up!
Wait! What? Yep, it’s actually happening. Occupational Therapists are officially prepping for the July 1st kickoff for dry needling.
I remember when this went through for Physical Therapists. There was a lot of confusion about billing codes and certifications. (Fellow business owner tip: don’t wait until June 30th to figure out your billing workflow!)
If you’re an OT planning to add this to your practice, start looking at your training and your compliance checklists now. We’ve already started tagging resources for dry needling for OTs in Florida to help you keep track of the requirements. It’s an exciting expansion of scope, but it does come with a bit of a learning curve on the administrative side.
Exclusive Holiday Update: Sunshine Health 2026
I want to share a quick “win” that came across my desk recently. I was talking to Duenna Dorsett over at Sunshine Health, and she confirmed some great news for our 2026 planning.
All 2026 Federal holidays are officially covered by Sunshine Health.
Phew!
I know it sounds like a small detail, but when you’re managing a busy pediatric clinic, knowing exactly which days are recognized for billing purposes is one less headache to deal with. No more guessing games about whether a Monday holiday will mess up your claims submission or authorization windows. This kind of clarity is exactly what we need more of in this industry.
How to Handle the Lull
So, what should you do while we wait for the “Road to April” to finish?
- – Audit Your Medicaid Mix: With the budget gap looming, take a look at your current Medicaid patient load. Are you prepared if rates stay flat? Or, better yet, are you ready to grow if that Early Steps expansion or PDN increase finally lands?
- – Focus on Growth: I always say that when the external environment is uncertain, look internal. Focus on your growth strategies. Can you streamline your intake? Can you improve your marketing?
- – Outsource the Stress: If the thought of tracking legislative sessions and Medicaid rate changes makes you want to slowly drift off to sleep (or run for the hills), maybe it’s time to let someone else handle the heavy lifting. I’m biased, of course, but as we discussed in our podcast with Jeremy Brown, doing what you love and outsourcing the rest is the fastest way to sanity.
Final Thoughts
This delay in Tallahassee is frustrating, no doubt about it. It’s like waiting for a slow-motion car crash, except the car is full of the funding your practice needs.
But here’s the thing: we’ve been here before. Florida politics is a marathon, not a sprint. The “Road to April” is just another leg of the journey. We’ll be keep a close eye on the special session and we’ll be the first to let you know when that budget finally gets the green light.
Sound familiar? That feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop? Well, you don’t have to wait alone. We’re in this with you.
Feel free to explore our billing tips for more ways to protect your practice during this “lull.” And as always, if you have questions about how these changes affect your specific billing setup, just reach out.
Talk soon,
Aaron Marshall
CMO, Extra Mile Billing