I don’t know about you, but every time I see “Special Session” on the calendar, my coffee consumption doubles.
Tallahassee is officially buzzing. The Florida Special Session is locked in for May 12–29, 2026. If you’re a therapy practice owner here in the Sunshine State, you need to lean in. There is a massive $51.98 billion general revenue deal on the table.
But here is the thing: while the numbers look big, the “how” and “where” that money moves will change your life this summer. At Extra Mile Billing, we’ve been tracking these developments closely because, frankly, what happens in Tallahassee usually ends up as a headache on your desk if you aren’t prepared.
The Big Deal: $52 Billion and the “ABA Shift”
The House and Senate finally shook hands on the topline allocations. Out of that $52 billion, Health and Human Services (HHS) is grabbing the lion’s share: a whopping $19.2 billion.
That sounds like great news, right? More money for healthcare!
Well, yes and no. (I know, I’m being a buzzkill).
I’ve been talking to many of our PT, OT, and ST providers lately, and there’s a massive elephant in the room: the “ABA Shift.” We are seeing a significant trend where funds are being redirected toward Applied Behavior Analysis, sometimes at the expense of routine pediatric therapy care.
If you provide routine PT, OT, or ST services, this shift is a major worry. It means the competition for those Medicaid dollars is getting tighter. It means you have to be sharper than ever.
The “Hunting” Season: PAFT is Out in Force
Now, let’s talk about the part that makes most business owners want to hide under their desks. The Public Assistance Fraud Task Force (PAFT) is officially “hunting.”
That’s not my word. That’s the vibe coming out of the capital.
If you think they’re just looking for big corporations, think again. They recently made a $2.8 million SNAP fraud arrest that sent shockwaves through the system. It was a clear signal: they aren’t playing around. They are looking for discrepancies, and they are starting with the “hot spots.”
Wait! What? Yep, CMS has officially put Florida on a “hot spot” list for fraud.
I don’t tell you this to scare you. I tell you this because I want you to be bulletproof. Right now is the time to double-check your billing documentation. Is your “O” (Oversight) in SPOT growth where it needs to be? If a knock comes to the door, can you prove every single unit you billed?
Don’t Leave Money on the Table: The 7.3% Increase
It’s not all “hunting” and budget shifts, though. I have some genuinely good news for you.
There is a 7.3% rate increase for DME (Durable Medical Equipment) and physicians. If you haven’t adjusted your billing processes to reflect these changes, you are quite literally leaving money on the table.
(No-joke).
In a world where inflation is eating our lunch, a 7.3% bump is a lifeline. But I’ve seen it happen a hundred times: providers get so busy treating kids that they forget to update their systems. They keep billing the old rates and wonder why their margins are shrinking.
Don’t let that be you.
How to Survive the Countdown: Think “SPOT”
Whenever things get chaotic in the industry, I always go back to the SPOT Growth framework.
- Systems: Are your billing systems automated to catch these new rate increases?
- Processes: Do you have a process for auditing your own charts before the state does it for you?
- Oversight: Who is watching the “hot spot” warnings from CMS?
- Technology: Are you using the latest tools to ensure compliance?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I get it. I’ve worked with so many practices that felt like they were drowning in Tallahassee’s red tape. But you don’t have to do it alone. Whether it’s checking out our compliance tips or just taking a breath and realizing you’ve got a team in your corner: you can handle this.
Wrapping It Up
The next few weeks are going to move fast. Between May 12th and May 29th, the landscape of Florida healthcare is going to shift again.
Keep your documentation tight. Update those rates. And for heaven’s sake, keep an eye on that Fraud Task Force. They are serious this year.
If you have questions about how these budget shifts affect your specific billing, feel free to reach out. We’re in the trenches with you.
You’ve got this!
Aaron and the Extra Mile Team