What Is a PPEC?

A parent's guide to pediatric medical daycare

PPEC stands for Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care. It is daytime care for children with complex medical needs who require skilled nursing support. Children receive care at a center and return home afterward.

In Texas, you will usually see the term PPECC: Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Center. This guide explains the basics and offers questions to help you explore whether this setting could fit your child and family.

Speak with our team: 1-833-548-7827.

A day at Little Stars Pediatric Center

Skilled nursing care

Our nurses provide medication support, health monitoring and seizure care, guided by each child's care plan. Respiratory and feeding support are also part of our services.

Learning, play and connection

We offer educational and developmental programs, extracurricular activities and time with peers. Participation is adapted to each child's needs and care plan.

Therapies tailored to your child

We offer physical, occupational, speech-language and feeding therapy. Support is tailored to each child's needs and goals, with services coordinated around their care plan and applicable authorizations.

Support for your family

Caregiver education, social services and coordination with your child's healthcare team are part of our support for families.

Who may benefit from a PPEC?

A PPEC may be an option when a child needs ongoing skilled nursing care during the day. A diagnosis alone does not determine whether it is the right setting: the child's needs, medical stability and individual plan must be reviewed.

In Texas, the Medicaid PPECC benefit serves eligible children and young adults age 20 and younger who meet medical necessity requirements. Ask the center and your health plan about eligibility, required orders and authorization for your child.

Explore care at Little Stars Pediatric Center

Little Stars Pediatric Center serves children and young adults from 6 weeks to 20 years of age. Our team reviews each child's needs and care plan as part of the admission process.

Start with our services overview, or read about respiratory care, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy and feeding therapy.

Discuss availability at the center you are considering and how each service relates to your child's care plan. Feeding therapy and nursing support for tube feeding address different needs; ask the team which support is relevant to your child.

Questions parents often ask

  • How is a PPEC different from regular daycare?

    A PPEC is organized around prescribed nursing care for children with complex medical needs. When comparing care settings, ask how each provider can meet your child's medical needs, daily routine and support requirements.

  • How does PPEC compare with private duty nursing or home health?

    PPEC care takes place at a center during the day. Private duty nursing offers individual nursing support, often at home; home health may involve scheduled nursing or therapy visits. The right combination depends on the care plan. Compare the care options.

  • Does insurance cover PPEC care?

    Texas Medicaid has a PPECC benefit for eligible members who meet its requirements. Coverage, authorization and therapy arrangements need to be checked for each child. Contact your health plan and the center before making care arrangements.

  • Is transportation available?

    Little Stars Pediatric Center provides transportation to and from the center and to doctor's appointments. Our team will review the route, schedule and support your child needs so arrangements fit their care plan.

Questions to bring on your tour

  • How would you organize my child's nursing care and daily routine?
  • Which activities and therapies could be suitable for my child?
  • How do you communicate updates or changes to families?
  • What should we know about transport, schedules and supplies?
  • What information is needed to review admission and coverage?

You do not need to have every answer before calling. Write down the parts of your child's day where your family needs support and use the visit to discuss them.

For general Texas program information, see Texas Health and Human Services: PPECC services.

Visit Little Stars Pediatric Center

Our centers are in Pasadena, The Woodlands and Texas City, in the Greater Houston area.

Tell our team about the support your child needs during the day. We can discuss your questions and explain the next steps. Learn about admission or request a tour below.

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