THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S.B. No. 
Introduced by SENATOR LUISA “LOI” P. EJERGIT 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
% 
health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.” 
- 
.The Constitution explicitly mandates the State to “protect and promote the right to 
Sadly, despite tremendous efforts exerted if only to deliver efficiently basic health 
services to the people, the government encounters certain constraints, pecuniary and 
otherwise, which impede effective implementation of certain medical programs. 
Fortunately, there are a number of recently reinvigorated, if not introduced 
medical innovations, programs and technologies, which are readily available and will 
certainly address certain health predicaments encountered. 
Among these is the practice of rehabilitation medicine, which if pursued properly, 
would surely respond to so many health concerns, which at the moment are not critically 
being attended to. 
Rehabilitation medicine, for the uninitiated, is a branch of medicine, which deals 
with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of neuromusculoskeletal, 
cardiovascular, pulmonary and other system disorders, which produce temporary or 
permanent disability in patients of both sexes and all ages. Simply put, it is the process 
of helping a person to reach the fullest physical, psychological, social, vocational and 
educational potential consistent with his or her physiologic or anatomic impairment, 
environmental limitation and life plans. 
With the setting in place of necessary facilities for its practice, as provided for in 
this proposed measure, rehabilitation medicine will undoubtedly do wonders, if not 
provide a long lasting panacea, to om many health problems. 
Indeed, there is so much hope once rehabilitation medicine is institutionalized. 
Hence, immediate passage of this proposed measure is earnestly sought. 
% 
4fl 
LUISA “LOP P ~ J E R C I T O  
ESTRADA 
Senator 
. 
.
.
 


) 
First Regular Session 
1 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by SENATOR LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
I 
. .. 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE STANDARDS FOR THE PRACTICE OF REHABILITATION 
MEDICINE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philbpines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Medical Rehabilitation 
Standards Act of 2004.” 
SEC. 2. Definitions. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
Rehabilitation Medicine - is the branch of medicine which deals with the 
prevention, 
diagnosis, 
treatment 
and 
rehabilitation 
of 
neuromusculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary and other system 
disorders which produce temporary or permanent disability in patients of 
both sexes and all ages, as well as the performance of different diagnostic 
procedures including but not limited to electromyography and other 
electrodiagnostic techniques. 
Rehabilitation Medicine involves 
specialized medical care and training of patients with loss of function so 
that he/she may obtain hidher maximum potential, physically, 
psychologically, socially and vocationally with special attention to prevent 
unnecessary complications or deterioration and to assist in physiologic 
adaptation to disability. 
In addition, the practice of Rehabilitation 
Medicine uses agents such as heat, light, water, electricity, therapeutic 
exercise and mechanical agents in its treatment armamentarium. 
Medical Rehabilitation - is the process of helping a person to reach the 
fullest physical, psychological, social, vocational, avocational and 
educational potential consistent with his or her physiologic or anatomic 
impairment, environmental limitation, and life plans. 
Physiatrist - is a physician who is licensed and duly registered with the 
Professional Regulations Commission and who has completed three years 


of residency training in Rehabilitation Medicine in a Philippine Board of 
Rehabilitation Medicine-accredited training institution. 
Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM) - an organization 
of medical specialists and trainees in Rehabilitation that seeks to achieve 
excellence in physiatric practice, education and research. 
Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine ( P B M )  - a non-stock, non- 
profit corporation composed of Board of Certified Rehabilitation 
Medicine Specialists tasked with accrediting and evaluating training 
institutions with a specialty in Rehabilitation Medicine, and certifying 
graduates of these training programs. 
Board Certified Physiatrists - refer to members of good standing of the 
Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM) and who have 
passed the Diplomate examination given by the Philippine Board of 
Rehabilitation Medicine (PBRM). 
Board Eligible (BE) Physiatrists - refer to those who have completed 
residency training in PBRM-accredited residency training program and 
who have not been qualified by the PBRM as a diplomate. 
Rehabilitation Medicine Center/Facility/Unit - refers to any facility that 
renders services for the rehabilitation of physical disabilities. This maybe 
hospital based or free standing. 
Rehabilitation Medicine Team - refers to a group of medical and allied 
health professionals concerned with the medical rehabilitation of patients 
with physical disabilities. The team is headed by a physiatrist and is 
composed of, but not limited to, the following: 
1. 
Physical therapists 
2. 
Occupational therapists 
3. 
Prosthetists and orthotists 
4. 
Rehabilitation nurses 
5. 
Speech pathologists 
6. 
Social workers 
7. 
Vocational counselors 
8. 
Recreational therapists 
SEC. 3. Scope of Practice. - The practice of Rehabilitation Medicine includes: 


' 
(a) ' '  Professional services related to the care of an individual patient, either as a 
physician primarily responsible for individual patient care or as a 
consultant to another physician namely: 
(1) History taking, examination of patients, and/or performance of 
specific diagnostic procedures for purposes of establishing diagnosis 
and/or evaluation of disability, impairment, fbnctional capacity and 
potential for rehabilitation; 
(2) Prescription and/or rendering of appropriate medical treatment which 
may include any or all aspects of physical medicine as well as 
rehabilitative measures, including but not limited to physical therapy, 
occupational therapy, speech therapy and orthotic and prosthetic 
services ; 
(3) Follow-up examination of patients in offices, hospitals, rehabilitation 
facilities, extended care facilities or home for purposes of re- 
evaluation and treatment modifications 
(4) Appropriate consultation with other medical specialists; 
(5) Counseling 
and 
conference with 
non-physician 
health 
care 
professionaIs or family concerning conduct of patient's care or 
patient's progress; 
(6) Examination of patient's records, preparation of reports and 
correspondence, appearance in testimony pertaining to patient. 
(b) 
Professional services not directly related to individual patient care but relevant to 
the administration of rehabilitation facilities or units, namely: 
Professional general supervision of rehabilitation services in a hospital- 
based rehabilitation center or unit or any other free standing units that 
render limited rehabilitation services, convalescent homes and private 
homes, for quality assurance and appropriate utilization of services; 
Planning, establishment and management of facilities, equipment and 
personnel for functions and activities for rehabilitation department or unit, 
or any other free standing unit that render limited rehabilitation services, 
convalescent homes and private homes, for quality assurance and 
appropriate utilization of services; 
Maintenance of adequate records and statistics; 
Education of physicians and allied health care professionals in 
Rehabilitation Medicine; 


Education of the public on health care issues pertaining to Rehabilitation 
Medicine; 
Providing professional development of Rehabilitation Medicine through 
research and medical education; 
Designinglplanninglimplementing of community-based Rehabilitation 
Medicine programs in rural areas; 
Designing/plaYming/implementing of health programs for maintenance of 
health and prevention of disability; 
Linkages with government and non-government agencies both local and 
abroad, for programs related to Rehabilitation Medicine; 
Promotion of the team approach among other medical and allied medical 
health care professionals in the holistic care of patients; 
Setting standards for compensation of Rehabilitation Medicine services 
rendered. 
(c) 
Guidelines for practice in a Rehabilitation Medicine Facility: 
Every patient shall be examined and diagnosed by a physiatrist. 
The 
physiatrist recommends, prescribes and supervises an individual treatment 
plan. 
The treatment plan and rehabilitation program shall be regularly 
reviewed on a team basis. 
Medications and various other therapies shall be prescribed by a Board 
Certified Eligible Physiatrist 
The physiatrist has the primary responsibility of regularly following 
patients in his charge and modifying or terminating treatment. 
A Board Certified Physiatrist shall head the facility/unit and shall 
supervise the delivery of Rehabilitation Medicine services rendered by 
other members of the rehabilitation medicine team. 
If a physiatrist is not competent to manage a patient, he shall consult or 
refer to another physiatrist or physician specialist who is competent in the 
particular disease or condition he is treating. 
A Board Certified physiatrist may head not more than three (3) 
Rehabilitation Medicine facilities. 
Ln the absence of a Board Certified 
physiatrist, a Board Eligible physiatrist may head the facility, provided 
he/she conforms with the requirements of the PBRM. 
The physiatrist shall charge professional fees in accordance with the 
standards of the PARM and the Philippine Health Insurance System 
(Philhealth) 
The physiatrist shall conduct himself in a manner consistent with the Code 
of Ethics of the Philippine Medical Association. 


SEC. 4. Qualifications to Practice. - A physician is qualified to practice Rehabilitation 
Medicine if he/she is a Board CertifiedBoard Eligible physiatrist who is of good moral 
character, and is a member of the Philippine Medical Association and the Philippine Academy of 
Rehabilitation Medicine. 
SEC. 5. Accreditation and Certification. - This Act aims to establish the standards 
for the practice, and certification of Rehabilitation Medicine practitioners in order to ensure the 
highest quality of professional rehabilitation service to the public and to the medical community. 
(a) 
Accreditation of the Physiatrist 
The Rehabilitation Medicine Practitioner is a graduate of Philippine Board 
of Rehabilitation Medicine (PBRM) - accredited Rehabilitation Medicine 
training institution and certified by the PBRM as: 
(i) 
Board Certified (Diplomate) 
(ii) 
Board eligible 
A Rehabilitation Medicine Practitioner is duly recognized as PBRM Board 
Certified upon compliance with and/or submission of the following 
requirements: 
(i) 
Authenticated 
Professional 
Regulations 
Commission 
(PRC) ID as duly licensed physician; 
Certificate of completion of training in a PBRM-accredited 
Rehabilitation Medicine training program; 
(ii) 
(iii) 
Certificate from the Philippine Board of Rehabilitation 
Medicine (PBRM) 
A Rehabilitation Medicine Practitioner is duly recognized as 
PBRM Board Eligible upon compliance with and/or submission of 
the following requirements : 
(i) 
Authenticated 
Professional 
Regulations 
Commission 
(PRC) ID as duly licensed physician. 
Certificate of completion of training in a PBRM-accredited 
Rehabilitation Medicine training institution. 
Certificate of eligibility from PBRM. 
(ii) 
(iii) 
A Rehabilitation Medicine Practitioner, who is duly recognized as 
PBRM Board eligible, must upgrade himself to PBRM Board 
Certified status within five (5) years after graduation from a 
PBRM-accredited Rehabilitation Medicine training institution. 


Forfeiture of this Board eligibility status is incumbent upon review 
and evaluation of the PBRM Board of Governors. 
(b) 
Continuing Certification of the Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist - A 
Certified Diplomate of the Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine, 
in order to be duly recognized as a Rehabilitation Medicine specialist, 
must undergo re-certification every three (3) years through PBRM 
accreditation. 
SEC. 6. Technical Standards and Requirements for the Registration, 
Operation and Maintenance of Rehabilitation Medicine Facilities in the Philippines. 
- The technical standards and requirements herein set forth shall apply to all entities 
performing the activities and functions of Rehabilitation Medicine facilities. These shall 
include the evaluation, and treatment of all conditions requiring rehabilitation of physical 
disabilities. These standards and requirements are formulated to protect and promote the 
health o f  the people by the operation of standard, properly managed and adequately 
supported Rehabilitation Medicine facilities. 
SEC. 7. 
Regulatory Authority. - Implementation of the Technical standards 
and Requirements for the Registration, Operation and Maintenance of Rehabilitation 
Medicine Facilities in the Philippines shall be regulated by the Department of Health - 
Bureau of Health Facilities and Services (DOH-BHFS) through a technical committee 
with representatives from the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM). 
SEC. 8. Classification of Facilities. - Rehabilitation Medicine Facilities shall 
be classified according to its institutional character, extent of services offered. 
The 
bases for the classification of the different categories of Rehabilitation facilities are: (1) 
Physiatrist qualification, (2) Allied Health personnel staff qualification, (3) 
Rehabilitation Medicine services available and (4) Physical set-up and equipment. 
a. 
Categories 
1. 
As to institutional character, Rehabilitation Medicine facilities are 
either hospital-based (if operating within a hospital set-up) or free 
standing (if operating on its own or part of a facility other than a 
hospital). 
As to extent, Rehabilitation Medicine facilities maybe primary, 
secondary or tertiary, or home-based. 
As to function, a Rehabilitation Medicine facility may be utilized 
for training, service and research, and or service alone. 
2. 
3. 


4. 
As to service, a Rehabilitation Medicine facility can also be either 
general or specialized. 
b. 
A primary Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following: 
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. 
- 
. .. 
7. 
8. 
9. 
At least one (1) Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine 
(PBRM) eligible physiatrist; 
At least one (1) allied rehabilitation health professional 
Rehabilitation Medicine Consultation and Management with 
Physical Therapy services; 
Physical set-up; 
Medical consultation area; 
Treatment area to include at least an electro therapy device and 
superficial heating modality and ADL training devices; 
Gym area to include parallel bars, mirror, weights and assisitive 
devices (canes, crutches and walker); 
Evaluation tools; 
Adequate utilities (water, electricity and consumables); 
10. 
First aid kit with Basic CPR equipment. 
c. 
A secondary Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following: 
1. 
2. 
At least one licensed Physical Therapist and Occupational 
At least one PBRM Board certified physiatrist 
Therapist 
Rehabilitation Medicine Consultation and Management, Physical 
Therapy and Occupational Therapy services 
Compliance with the primary category set-up plus deep heating 
modality, manual traction and therapeutic exercise equipment for 
the gym area 
3. 
4. 
d. 
A tertiary Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall have the following: 
1. 
2. 
At least one (1) Board Certified Physiatrist 
At least two (2) licensed Physical Therapists and one licensed 
Occupational Therapist 
Rehabilitation Medicine Consultation and Management, Physical, 
Occupational Therapy, Prosthotist/Orthotist in house or referral 
services, speech therapy in house or referral services. 
3. 
. 
. .. 4. 
Compliance with the secondary category set-up and equipment, 
with additional two superficial heating modalities, medium 


frequency modality, mechanized traction, ultraviolet or cold laser 
intermittent compression unit, mechanized intermittent traction 
and tilt table with additional gym equipment. 
A training/service and research facility, which shall fulfill all the 
requirements as a residency training institution in accordance with 
PBRM guidelines. 
A Specialized facility which shall cater to subspecialty conditions 
* 
I 
* .  
ifi Rehabilitation Medicine (cardiac, pain, pediatric, pulmonary, 
5. 
6. 
sports, among others). 
A freestanding clinic which must be headed by a Board Certified 
or Board eligible physiatrist with at least one (1) allied health 
professional with a certificate in Basic Life Support. 
7. 
SEC. 9. Management and Operation of a Rehabilitation Medicine Facility. - 
A Rehabilitation Medicine facility shall be headed by a Rehabilitation Medicine 
Specialist who is either a Philippine Board of Rehabilitation Medicine Certified or 
eligible Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist who must assume technical, and 
administrative supervision and control of the activities in the said facility. An adequate 
and effective system of documentation, recording and records keeping must be 
maintained for all consultations and services in the facility. The rates for consultation 
and services shall be in accordance with the standards of the PARM and the Philhealth. 
SEC. 10. 
Application for Registration and Issuance of License. - 
Applications for registration and issuance of a license shall be filed by the owner or his 
duly authorized representative to DOH-Bureau of Health Facilities and Services together 
with an Information Sheet to be filled up by the physiatrist-in-charge. Upon receipt of 
the said application together with the license fee, a technical committee team will inspect 
the facility within sixty (60) days. Certificates of licenses shall be issued and approved 
by the Head of the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services. A provisional license niay 
be granted to facilities with insufficient requirements or for special cases for a period of 
one (1) year. 
SEC. 11. Terms and Validity of License. - The license to operate shall be valid 
for a period of two (2) years. Application for renewal of the license shall be made during 
the last six (6) months of validity. The license must be placed in a conspicuous place 
within the facility. A copy of the rules and regulations should also be readily available. 
Upon violation of the standards provided, a license may be revolted. Investigation of all 
charges or complaints against a Rehabilitation Medicine facility or any of its personnel 
. 
. .. 


I 
shall be made to the PARM and the PBRM and to the Department of Health-Bureau of 
Health Facilities and Services for appropriate investigation. 
. SEC. 
. 
.. 12. Penalties. - Any person, partnership, association, or corporation who 
establishes, operates, conducts, manages or maintains a rehabilitation medicine facility 
within the meaning of this Act without first obtaining a license or violates any provision 
of this Act or its implementing rules and regulations shall be liable to a fine of not less 
than Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,OOO.OO) but not to exceed Fifty Thousand Pesos 
(P50,OOO.OO) for the first offense; not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,OOO.OO) but 
not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,OOO.OO) for the second offense; and 
not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,OOO.OO) but not to exceed Two 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,OOO.OO) for the third and each subsequent offense. 
Each day that the health facility or other related facility shall operate after the first 
violation shall be considered a subsequent offense. 
In addition to the penalties specified in the preceding paragraph, the Bureau of 
Health Facilities and Services upon the approval of the Secretary of the Department of 
Health, may summarily order the closure of any rehabilitation medicine facility found 
operating without a license. 
SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of the Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected hereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 14. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules and regulations 
inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,