I don’t know about you, but every time the Florida Legislature wraps up its session, I feel like I need a giant cup of coffee and a very long nap. This week, the handkerchief dropped in Tallahassee, signaling “Sine Die”, the official end of the 2026 regular session.
If you’re a pediatric therapy provider here in the Sunshine State, this week has been a total emotional rollercoaster. I’ve been sitting here at my desk, refreshing the Florida House and Senate pages, texting with clinic owners, and trying to make sense of the whirlwind. One minute I’m cheering because our OTs finally got the green light for dry needling, and the next, I’m staring at the “not this year” list with a heavy heart.
Working in billing, I see the direct impact of these laws. I’m the one who eventually has to figure out the codes, the modifiers, and the eligibility changes when these bills become reality. So, let’s break down what happened in Tallahassee this week and what it actually means for your practice.
The Budget Drama: A “Sine Die” Without a Plan?
Wait! What? Yep, you read that right. Usually, when the session ends, the lawmakers have a budget ready to go. Not this year.
I was talking to a colleague earlier, and we were both scratching our heads. The House (led by Speaker Daniel Perez) and the Senate (led by President Ben Albritton) couldn’t agree on the “topline” number. The House is looking at a $113.6 billion budget, while the Senate is pushing for $115 billion. That sounds like a lot of zeros, right? For us, it means uncertainty.
Because they couldn’t agree, they haven’t officially passed the state budget for the next fiscal year. This means we’re all heading back for a special session in mid-April.
Why does this matter to your clinic?
The budget dictates things like Medicaid reimbursement rates and funding for state-contracted programs. Until that budget is signed, we’re all in a bit of a holding pattern regarding state-funded therapy services. It’s frustrating, I know. I’ve seen this movie before, and while they always eventually pass a budget, the “drama” in the meantime is just another layer of stress for business owners who are trying to plan for the next six months.
Huge Victory for OTs: Dry Needling (HB 867)
Now for the good news, and it is BIG news. I am so incredibly pumped for our Occupational Therapists.
For years, I’ve heard OTs talk about how they wanted to offer dry needling but were held back by scope-of-practice limitations in Florida. Well, the fight is over. HB 867 has officially passed and is heading to the Governor’s desk!
I’ll admit, when I first heard about dry needling years ago, I was a bit skeptical. (I’m a billing person, not a clinician: the idea of needles makes me want to look away!) But seeing the results it has for patients with chronic pain and neuromuscular issues? It’s a game-changer.
The Details:
- Effective Date: July 1, 2026.
- What it means: OTs in Florida will finally be authorized to perform dry needling, bringing them into alignment with physical therapists.
- Billing Impact: I’m already looking into the credentialing and billing requirements for this. We’ll need to ensure your OTs have the proper certifications on file before we start submitting these claims.
If you’ve been considering expanding your clinic’s services, this is your sign. Start looking into training and certification now so you’re ready to hit the ground running in July. It’s a win for the profession and a win for patient choice.
Early Steps Expansion: No More “Age 3 Cliff” (SB 112)
This one actually made me a little misty-eyed. If you work in pediatric therapy, you know the heartbreak of the “Age 3 Cliff.” You have a child in the Early Steps program, they’re making incredible progress, and then… poof. They turn three, they’re transitioned out, and sometimes they fall through the cracks before they get settled into school-based services or private insurance.
SB 112 passed both chambers! This bill expands the Early Steps program to allow children to continue receiving services through age four.
I talk to providers all the time who struggle with these transitions. It’s a billing nightmare, sure, but more importantly, it’s a continuity of care nightmare. By extending this window, the legislature is giving these families another year of stability.
For your practice, this means a more stable census. You won’t be losing those kids the second they blow out three candles on their birthday cake. It gives us more time to work with the families on their eligibility and ensure they have a long-term plan in place.
Protecting the Team: HB 47 and Second Opinions
Another important win that might have flown under your radar is HB 47. This bill relates to second medical opinions, especially in complex cases involving multidisciplinary teams.
In the world of pediatric therapy, we often see kids with very complex needs who are seeing OTs, PTs, SLPs, and multiple specialists. HB 47 provides more protections for families and providers when seeking a second opinion in these high-stakes cases.
I’ve seen instances where providers felt pressured or where families were stuck because of a single medical opinion that didn’t quite fit the child’s reality. This bill creates a safer environment for collaborative care. It’s about protecting the provider’s right to advocate for the child and the parent’s right to be sure.
The “Not This Year” List: Keeping the Faith
I wish I could say it was all sunshine and rainbows, but that’s not how Tallahassee works. There were two big bills we were watching closely that didn’t make it across the finish line this session:
- Stuttering Coverage: The bill aimed at mandating insurance coverage for stuttering treatment stalled. This is a tough one. I see the “denied” claims for speech therapy all the time because a payer decides stuttering isn’t “medically necessary” (don’t even get me started on that!).
- SLP Recruitment: The bill designed to provide incentives and better recruitment for Speech-Language Pathologists also failed to pass. With the current shortage of SLPs, this was a missed opportunity to bolster our workforce.
I know it’s disappointing. I’ve felt that “ugh” moment myself when a bill we’ve been rooting for dies in committee. But here’s what I’ve learned: advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint. The groundwork laid this year will be the foundation for the 2027 session. We don’t stop fighting; we just regroup.
What Happens Next?
So, what should you do on Monday morning?
First, take a breath. The major wins (Dry Needling and Early Steps) are locked in, pending the Governor’s signature (which is expected).
Second, keep an eye on that special session in April. We need that budget to be finalized so we know where we stand for the back half of the year. I’ll be watching it like a hawk, and I promise to keep you updated.
Third, start thinking about your integrated billing process. With new services like dry needling coming and changes to Early Steps eligibility, your back-office needs to be tighter than ever. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of updating your workflows to handle these changes, you aren’t alone. I talk to owners every day who feel like they’re drowning in the “administrative noise” of running a clinic.
We’re In This Together
I’ve spent years working behind the scenes with therapy practices, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that you guys are resilient. Whether it’s a budget delay or a scope-of-practice win, you keep showing up for the kids.
At Extra Mile Billing, we see ourselves as your partners in that resilience. We handle the “boring” stuff: the claims, the denials, the legislative updates: so you can focus on the miracles happening in your gym or treatment room.
If you’re worried about how the 2026 legislative changes will impact your cash flow, or if you just want to talk to someone who understands the Florida Medicaid landscape, feel free to reach out for a billing assessment. We can take a look at your current process and see where we can make things easier for you.
This blog post has already gone on quite a bit, but there was just so much to cover! Sine Die is always a whirlwind, but I’m choosing to focus on the victories. Dry needling for OTs and more time for Early Steps kids? Those are real wins that will change lives.
Phew! What a week. How are you feeling about the session results? Are you ready for the dry needling transition, or are you more focused on the budget drama? Sound familiar? Let’s keep the conversation going.
Stay supportive, stay focused, and as always, keep going that extra mile.
Talk soon,
Extra Mile Billing